Chapter 1 - Friday Evenings in Bangkok - A Brutal Commute

Oct 10, 2026

Friday evenings in Bangkok unfold as the last workday turns into a crowded, exhausting ordeal on the BTS and MRT. Van watches commuters, office ladies, and stressed office workers struggle through packed stations as heat and discomfort intensify in suits. Unable to board the first train, he endures the crush, distracted by mall screens and rising T-pop idol groups. After a tense ride, he escapes the station by motorcycle taxi, reaching home with relief yet lingering fatigue.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages306

Reading Time7 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1: Friday Evenings in Bangkok

The Station Crush and Heat

Idol Screens and Station Energy

Boarding, Getting Off, and the Ride Home

Chapter 1. Friday evenings in Bangkok are far from pleasant, even though people's spirits are high because it's the last workday of the week. This means they don't have to wake up early tomorrow to battle the massive crowds before dawn (and it's not even certain there are any real chickens in the city) . But before they can truly enjoy their rest, they have to survive a brutal battle before reaching home. Van is no longer a full-time employee, so he doesn't feel as depressed about the rush to get home. He considers today just another of those awful days spent working outside the home, and, coincidentally, his shift ends at the same time as most office workers'. By 4:30 PM, crowds start to build up at both the BTS and MRT stations. 6 PM to 7 PM is hell. Everywhere you look, there are sweaty, stressed office workers. Even the office ladies who've been dressed up and made up since morning look a mess by this time. They've already battled work all day, and now they have to contend with the massive crowd of office workers racing through the stations. Their hair is a mess, their faces reflect exhaustion, and only the last bit of lipstick on their lips, a last glimmer of encouragement, remains. Van thought his height was an advantage because it prevented him from bumping into other people's heads while queuing for the BTS. The air up there was slightly fresher and more pleasant to his nose, but he still couldn't escape the head bumps of the young man in front of him. He tried to ignore the crowdedness, the rudeness of someone who just kept pushing, shoving, and bumping into him without apologising, and the sticky feeling of the evening air in the capital. Even though the sun was gone, the heat trapped on the concrete and buildings was slowly melting and radiating, making him feel like he was taking a sticky breath by the sea, except there was no breeze to dry his sweat at the BTS station. Combined with the suit he was wearing, it not only felt awkward and out of place but also as hot as sitting in a sauna. But he chose to keep his suit jacket on because taking it off and carrying it now would be too cumbersome. The first train arrived. Van realised from the crowd that he probably wouldn't be able to board this one, as it was packed. Even if some people got off at this station, the people in front of him would all be scrambling to get on first. He, near the back of the line, had noway to squeeze through. The only option was to be polite and run in, which wasn't Van's habit. He chose to scan the huge advertising screens of the famous mall, with Sombr's"Undressed" playing in the background. He didn't know all the celebrities on the screen, only those who starred in popular movies and the big names who had been around for along time. These days, new faces are popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, and they often come in groups. T-pop was booming this year; idol culture was taking shape, much like Japan and Korea a decade ago, but in a more independent version. Van wasn't a huge fan, but he knew some of the songs, even if he didn't recognise their faces. Because of that, he had no idea who the large group of people gathered in front of the mall were screaming about. From up here, all I can see is a group of five or six teenage boys enthusiastically holding microphones and cracking jokes. Cheers of encouragement erupt in their voices, almost every half minute. Many girls on the station crowd together at the front, trying to zoom in and film the scene below with their phones, while those who aren't paying attention mutter under their breath in annoyance. Five minutes later, the second train pulled into the station. People poured out, sighing heavily as if they had been holding their breath the entire way. Those who had been waiting outside swarmed inside. Comfortable seats were out of the question; just having enough space to put your feet down was enough. Van managed to find a spot next to a door pole, comfortably grippin

FAQs

Why do Friday evenings in Bangkok become so unpleasant for commuters?

Because it is the last workday, crowds build quickly around 4:30 PM and the hour from 6 PM to 7 PM is described as hellish, with sweaty, exhausted office workers everywhere.

How does Van cope while waiting for trains?

He studies the mall advertising screens and distracts himself from the crowd, even though he cannot board the first packed train.

What does Van do to reach his home after leaving the station?

He walks to find motorcycle taxis and pays by scanning a QR code, reaching his house in under three minutes despite the tiring walk afterward.

Oct 10, 2026

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