A Compariso of Cities: Los Angeles and Bangkok

The first comparison I would like to note would be both city’s traffic problems. Bangkok and Los Angeles both have traffic problems because of bad transit infrastructure. Los Angeles has freeways but these were build 4 to 5 decades ago with that period of time’s traffic in mind. Bangkok does not really have as many freeways as Los Angeles but traffic is just the same. Over time as these city’s age more and more, traffic is just going to get worse and worse.

Both Los Angeles and Bangkok are trying to address their issues of bad traffic and bad commute time. Both of these cities are trying to find answers on how to solve traffic problems with mass transit. Obviously both cities have bus systems. Bangkok has a Skytrain, while Los Angeles has light rail. Bangkok has a subway, while Los Angeles has a subway. Although people and commuters use mass transit systems in Bangkok and Los Angeles, sometimes the rider expectancy can fall to below projected levels. Mass transit is becoming more convenient but still does not exist in key areas where it may be needed.

Both cities have rivers. The difference between the two is that the Los Angeles River is total cement. LA’s river is cement because after a flood many years ago, lives were lost. So flood control was needed.

Both cities have or had floods. LA has flood control channels to control the water.

Both Bangkok and Los Angeles are major air hubs. (LAX and Don Muang). With major increase in air traffic, Bangkok is building a new airport while Los Angeles is considering building a new one.

Air quality is bad in both cities.

Los Angeles and Bangkok are both trendsetter's for there country.

I believe LA order’s trains from Siemens and I think Bangkok does too.

Both cities have Thai Wat’s to serve the Buddhist community.