Why aren't there any fans at platform level on the BTS?

ngl the no fan thing is prob a safety issue but not the way u think. the BTS uses third rail power for the trains so any metal fan near the tracks could become a hazard if it falls or gets loose. plus those platforms get so packed during rush hour that a fan would just be blowing hot air into people's faces, trust me I've stood near one at Mo Chit bus terminal and it does nothing but circulate the sweat smell.

better spot than the ends of the train is actually the middle where the stairs are, the stairwell creates a natural draft especially if you stand near the edge of the platform where the gap is. also if u have a ceramic cup or a metal water bottle fill it with ice from 7-11 and press it against your wrists, cools u down way faster than a fan ever could

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My best guess is it's a design oversight from way back when the skytrain first opened in '99. They probably didn't think the heat would be this brutal, and now retrofitting fans into all those stations would cost a fortune and take forever. The newer extensions like the Silom line going out to Bang Wa have better airflow design, but the old core stations are just stuck.

Pro tip: the coolest spot is actually near the ticketing machines at the bottom of the stairs, there's usually a bit of a breeze from the escalator shafts. And bring a small spray bottle

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honestly i think it's a mix of cost cutting and the fact that the platforms are so narrow in some stations like siam or asok you'd have to mount them on the ceiling which makes them way less effective anyway. the newer stations on the sukhumvit extension like kheha have ceiling fans near the ticket gates but still nothing on the platform itself.

best hack is to stand near the very front or back of the train where the doors open more often and you get a tiny breeze from the train coming in. also grab a misting fan from 7-11 for like 200 baht, it's a lifesaver in the afternoon.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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