https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/09/10/bangkok-airport-rail-link-in-shambles-due-to-operator-changes-following-contract-expiration/

I know a number of members use thec airport rail link, and have possibly already seen this encouraging report!

sounds catastrophic but it would be better if illustration showing crowded platform would be actually one of ARL platform , not of regular rail line. Easy to spot as ARL platform elevated , are high and one can't cross over tracks from one platform to another as on the photo. I wonder it that was just overlooking or deliberate to stir the shit more for some reason.

If they reduce frequency of trains I feel sorry for all those who will be trying to board on intermediate stations. There's not much room for crowds on platform on Phaya Thai end either.

So if true , it may lead to big problems and possibly quite a blow to country reputation.

Truth to be told , I'm waiting for report from somebody on the ground

The deterioration of the airport rail link over the years has been plain to see. It mirrors all the other problems they have with the BTS and MRT systems. Basically the Thai authorities like new flashy projects but won't give a sh*t about maintenance and service quality (no media headlines glorifying a minister), and this attitude probably comes from the very top: no budget allocation for boring things... so all the downstream technical and operational issues are pre-ordained.

All this just in time for high season.

1 hour ago, macaroni21 said:

The deterioration of the airport rail link over the years has been plain to see. It mirrors all the other problems they have with the BTS and MRT systems. Basically the Thai authorities like new flashy projects but won't give a sh*t about maintenance and service quality (no media headlines glorifying a minister), and this attitude probably comes from the very top: no budget allocation for boring things... so all the downstream technical and operational issues are pre-ordained.

All this just in time for high season.

while probably you are right I must say that in my almost 40 trips since Swampy opened I can't recall single issue of problem with ARL other that occasional crowing which may happen everywhere

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

I can't recall single issue of problem with ARL other that occasional crowing which may happen everywhere

While I have encountered crowding, I have not experienced an instance of having to stand back and wait for the next train. However, passengers trying to board at the midway stations can be seen being very frustrated with that. But overall, while the ARL might get us to the terminal station Phaya Thai in one piece, the whole experience compares poorly with other cities' systems. Even Kuala Lumpur has a far superior express train with greater comfort running out of the airport, let alone the Narita Express and the Keisei from Tokyo's Narita Airport.

Like you, @vinapu I too travel on the cheaper end of things -- in my view, the better to see what real life feels like in the places I visit-- and put up with more basic amenities quite happily, but this shouldn't blind us to the fact that, yeah, they are basic, and secondly, even other third world countries manage to do better than Thailand re the basics. I have long since learned not to see Thailand through rose-tinted lenses.

5 hours ago, macaroni21 said:

travel on the cheaper end of things -

taking ARL while cheapest option not necessarily means bad one - all of us probably were stuck in Bangkok legendary traffic

On 9/11/2026 at 9:02 PM, vinapu said:

taking ARL while cheapest option not necessarily means bad one - all of us probably were stuck in Bangkok legendary traffic

Always best to arrive in the afternoon, and leave in the morning, if you can. Avoids the worst traffic!

2 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Always best to arrive in the afternoon, and leave in the morning, if you can. Avoids the worst traffic!

Or arrive at night after 10pm. Little traffic at night.

I am so used to taking ARL because I started taking it last year during weekend trips that even when I am on a longer trip and have a big luggage, I shun the taxi and still take ARL. I have seen tourists with 2 or 3 large luggage taking ARL!

Yes, with latest news of changeover, there might be delays, but it is to he expected. Passengers will just have to bear and endure with temporary inconvenience.

3 hours ago, jason1975 said:

I am so used to taking ARL because I started taking it last year during weekend trips that even when I am on a longer trip and have a big luggage, I shun the taxi and still take ARL. I have seen tourists with 2 or 3 large luggage taking ARL!

Yes, with latest news of changeover, there might be delays, but it is to he expected. Passengers will just have to bear and endure with temporary inconvenience.

lets wait for reports from those recently arrived or about to depart if indeed there are problems or just scaremongering