Google tells us something we already know: Bangkok's traffic sucks

A few weeks ago, Google rounded up 100 Bangkok volunteers to do an ad spot (see above vid) for their top secret project, which they unveiled Wednesday night: an intergrated Google Maps Bangkok platform with public transport and real-time traffic information.

The platform is the result of a collaboration between Google and all of Bangkok’s major transportation organizations, including the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. It allows users on the web or mobiles to see what’s happening in Bangkok traffic on Google Maps with the standard red/green/yellow color coding found on those digital screens above Bangkok's major roads, which is handy, but also gives walking, driving and public transit directions.

Basically, you go to Google Maps, click “Get Directions” on the left, then enter where you are and where you want to go, selecting “By Car,” “By Transit” or “Walking” from the dropdown menu. Hit the button and you’ll get a step-by-step list of directions, while the map on the right shows current traffic conditions. Very cool. And clearly, they've been on Bangkok's roads. When you ask for walking directions, a box with a warning appears: "Walking directions are in beta. Use caution -- This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths."

Google has been giving directions to drivers for quite a while, but the traffic information and public transit choices are brand new, offering users advice on which BTS, MRT, Chaophraya Express riverboat or bus routes to take. Although the translations and the interface aren’t perfect, we think Google Maps is about to make our lives a bit less complicated.

Sadly, Bangkok isn’t the first city to offer this new and improved version of Google Maps. Singapore had us beat by a week. To find out more, check out CNNGo Singapore’s recent article, which includes a video demonstration on the integrated transport platform.