CITY FOCUS | BANGKOK
80 manufacturing firms . Siam Cement Group established Bangkok ’ s first cement production facility in 1913 , while textiles and clothing make up a considerable portion of manufacturing operations in modern Bangkok . Shoe manufacturer Pan Group operates the largest shoe factory in Thailand and also lays claim to being one of the biggest in the world , and is a leading producer of polyester , nylon , and polypropylene threads . PDK has also based its factory operations in the city .
While famous for its traffic , Bangkok is well-equipped for rapid travel between its major locations and landmarks . Connecting the city is the Bangkok Mass Transit System , known as either the BTS or the Skytrain , an elevated train network with 35 stops across two lines and around 700,000 daily passengers . While the Skytrain rolls above the city , beneath it lies the Metropolitan Rapid Transport ( MRT ) underground network , ensuring tourists and locals alike have a means to beat the congestion on the roads . For the rail-averse , Bangkok ’ s once prevailing mode of transport , the tuk-tuk , remains a must for tourists keen to soak up the city ’ s culture , while the capital ’ s increasingly iconic , colourful cabs often cost a similar amount for those happy to sacrifice speed for comfort . Finally , its intricate network of waterways feeding into and pouring from
MARCH 2019