Thailand 2009

It goes without saying that the Bangkok Sky Train and its underground transportation partner, the MRT system are the epitome of modern transportation models. Fast, easy, clean; the whole big deal. Yes, 20 minutes on the Sky Train would take over an hour by Taxi. Yes Tuk Tuks are slow and dangerous, yes, the pollution on the streets is goes beyond appalling and moves on to amazing, everything about Bangkok transportation is almost a cliché, however, it is what can be purchased at the stations that makes the whole thing the coolist. We have been here a day and a half and my list of purchaseable goods and services is as follows:

Fresh squeezed juice
Freshly brewed herbal remedies
Cut, color, style
Cupcakes
Cakes
Pastries
Cell Phones
Coffee
Ice Cream
Ice Cream with sprinkles
A gym membership
River boat tours

As for the MRT—
They have a little underground mall where the materialistic frenzy dwarfs the Sky Train’s mere convenience kiosks. Again so far on day one and a half:

Iphones
Spa Treatments, in addition to cut, color, style
Gym bags
Coffee
Massage
Internet Café (check your email before you get on the train)
Cakes, pastries, confectionary
Complete over-the-counter drug store

After we checked email we went and got on the train so we only got half way through the underground mall.