Mass transportation is, in many ways, the most important factor of a community's infrastructure. A community's transportation system has a serious influence on its land use patterns and rate of growth. Bangkok’s mass transit network influenced urban formation rapidly. The Bangkok sky train system was officially opened on 5 December 1999 by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It initially had lower-than-predicted ridership, with 200,000 passenger trips per day which leveraged to a daily average of 700,000 by 2017, with a majority of them being tourist.

The quality of infrastructure systems in Bangkok, including its transportation and telecommunications systems, is a key factor that influences real estate investment and development decisions similar with other big cities around the world. Infrastructure developments have direct impact on property values, especially the way that transport infrastructure positioning has impacts on people, communities and property values. This is clearly visible along the BTS lines Sukhumvit and Silom. Residential and commercial properties located close to transportation infrastructure tend to be labeled as “premium” and it’s common for real estate prices to appreciate in line with the development of infrastructure. 

Despite Bangkok’s organic development and no organized grid street structure, can "transit-oriented development" (TOD) work in the capital? Many will dispute that a TOD is founded by clear organized planning however the increasing traffic congestions, demand for quality urban living and change in family structures are factors for serious improvement. 

What are the characteristics of a TOD? 

1. Bangkok has sufficient density to encourage the use of mass rapid transportation, emphasizing on Skytrain(BTS) and Metro(MRT). 
2. More and more Residences, work, and retail are located close to mass rapid transit facilities. 
3. TOD’s consists out of mixed use developments, with retail and employment sites located within walking distance of residential areas. 
4. TOD’s contains urban design guidelines and design features, which theoretically encourages people to utilize these patterns.  
5. TOD’s are designed to encourage people to utilize mass rapid transport rather than the car. A second purpose is the minimization of congestion on surrounding roads. 

To support Bangkok’s TOD idea, more skywalk bridges are being built for pedestrian utilization as seen along the Sukhumvit line. Although Bangkok is not the most pedestrian friendly city, new infrastructure improvements are placing elevated walk ways, making them safer and user friendly. 

To ensure success in the delivery of a Bangkok TOD, concessions have to be made. Urban planning schemes need to be supportive and adapted to reduce car-dependence. For example developers can reduce their parking spaces and utilize their land for more landscape or community based facilities. 

The power of TODs lies in the fact that government and the private sector need to work closely together, communities need to be engaged. Engaging a community at an early stage enables key concerns to be resolved, and improvements suggested by the community can then be incorporated in the TOD. The fact remains that mass rapid transit in Bangkok as been built without thinking about TOD, and two decades later concessions have to be made for a better future.

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