Decoding Bangkok’s Transit Queues: A Commuter’s Guide to Boarding the MRT & BTS

If you’ve ever stood on a platform in Bangkok waiting for an MRT metro or BTS Skytrain, you’ve likely noticed the arrow markings painted on the platform floor. In reality, though, these floor arrows aren’t always strictly adhered to—even by locals!

Recently, however, I noticed new platform posters explaining the queuing system in detail, and it completely threw off what I thought was standard commuting etiquette.

Here is everything you need to know about how Bangkok’s train queuing system actually works—and how to decode those numbered spots.

The Rule of 4: Dual Lanes & Exiting Priority

Both the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) and BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) technically use a 4-line queue system for every train door.

As shown on the BTS/MRT platform poster above:

• Clear Center Zone (↓↓): The space directly in front of the doors is reserved strictly for exiting passengers. Never queue directly in the center! While not uniquely Thai—it’s standard transit etiquette worldwide—it’s crucial for keeping the platform moving.
• Two Queues Per Side (↖↗): Waiting passengers are supposed to form two parallel lines on the left and two on the right, staying behind the yellow safety line.

How the Queue Numbers Work (Positions 1 through 8)

If you look closely at the posters on both MRT and BTS platforms, you’ll see numbered circles in the queue diagrams:

These numbers indicate your exact boarding sequence once the train doors open and arriving passengers step off:

• Position #1 (Inner Front): Standing at the very front of the inside line (closest to the middle exit aisle). You board first!
• Position #2 (Outer Front): Standing at the front of the outside line, parallel to #1. You board second.
• Positions #3 & #4: The second pair in line, boarding directly behind #1 and #2.
• Positions #5 through #8: Following in numerical order, alternating left and right in a smooth “zip merge” pattern into the doorway.

💡 Pro-Tip for Commuters: Want to be the very first person onto the train car? Look for the #1 spot on either side of the middle aisle (indicated on the BTS/MRT sign as becoming the “Head of the Line” / หัวแถว).

Of course, since these numbers only exist on the posters and aren’t actually painted on the floor, I’d be surprised if most commuters even realize this numbering system exists!

4 Simple Steps for a Smooth Commute

To recap, whenever your train approaches:

1. Form 4 Lines: Pick one of the two lanes on either the left or right side of the doors.
2. Stay Behind the Yellow Line: Keep back from the tracks until the train comes to a complete stop.
3. Yield to Exiting Passengers: Let everyone off the train through the middle aisle before stepping forward.
4. Board in Sequence & Move Center: Step aboard following the 1–8 numbering order, then move toward the center of the car to make room for others.

Personally, I’ll probably stick to queuing in the “inner” line on the platform. But after finally reading these BTS and MRT posters, I’ll at least stop giving the side-eye to anyone in the outer line who “cuts” ahead of me—turns out I might have been misunderstanding the system all these years!

At the end of the day, though, the biggest issue on the platform isn’t really the queuing diagram—it’s basic commuter courtesy. No matter how many lines are drawn, the system only works if people let alighting passengers exit first and refrain from cutting the queue!

Happy travels, and enjoy your ride through Bangkok!