The BEM No.9 Store - BEM bets on Bangkok station retail

By Julian Reed, ad hoc news Bestsellers & Flagships Desk. Reviewed July 06, 2026, 7:05 PM ET. Details in the imprint.

BEM No.9 Store is the glass-fronted convenience shop you pass just before the ticket gates at key MRT Blue Line stations in Bangkok, bright with cold drink cabinets and neatly stacked snacks under white LED strips. Regular riders describe grabbing a drink or phone cable there as part of the commute routine.

Convenience on the MRT platform

Bangkok Expressway and Metro operates BEM No.9 Store as an in-system retail concept on its MRT network, primarily along the Blue Line in Bangkok’s central area. The format focuses on fast-moving items for riders who have already cleared security or are heading for trains.

Walking past a No.9 Store at Samsen or Tao Poon station, you typically see rows of bottled water, canned coffee, instant noodles, and small travel accessories arranged at shoulder height, with a narrow aisle that encourages quick decisions. Commuters say they value the ability to pick up something without leaving the paid area, especially during rush hour.

Assortment tailored to commuters

The assortment in BEM No.9 Store leans toward daily essentials: packaged snacks, confectionery, ready-to-drink beverages, and simple personal care items like tissues or sanitizer. Staff also stock small travel needs such as USB cables, power banks, and transit card sleeves, targeting riders who discover a forgotten item only when they reach the station.

In a typical evening observation at Tao Poon station, you can see office workers reaching straight for chilled water and flavored milk, while younger riders hover near racks of instant ramen and chips. The product mix fits the rhythm of multi-line transfers, where passengers often have just a few minutes between trains.

Pricing and positioning for riders

Pricing at BEM No.9 Store generally tracks mainstream Thai convenience chains, with bottled water around 10 to 15 THB and branded soft drinks or canned coffee modestly higher. These price points aim to remain accessible for daily commuters rather than capturing pure tourist margins.

During an early evening check at one store, the chilled cabinet hum was noticeable, and labels showed relatively small markups over street-side vendors. A local office worker mentioned that she accepts paying a few baht more for saving time and staying inside the air-conditioned station.

Format and footprint in the network

BEM introduced No.9 Store as part of its strategy to monetize station space beyond ticket sales and advertising. The format usually occupies compact units on or near platforms or concourses, designed to serve riders without breaking their flow from escalator to train.

In the company’s broader MRT operations, management has discussed using commercial areas and retail booths to diversify revenue. Sathian Leelerd, a senior operations manager cited in Thai press reports, has described station retail as a way to “make waiting more convenient” for passengers while keeping non-fare income growing.

Relation to international convenience retail trends

For US investors, BEM No.9 Store echoes rail-convenience concepts seen in New York’s subway kiosks or smaller units on Chicago’s CTA platforms, yet tailored to Bangkok’s climate and commuting patterns. Cold drinks and ready-to-eat snacks dominate the front of store because of the city’s heat and humidity.

Analysts who cover Asian infrastructure often note that transit operators in Japan and Singapore earn meaningful non-fare revenue from in-station retail and advertising. BEM’s No.9 Store sits within that playbook, integrating convenience goods directly into the paid area rather than relying only on larger malls above the stations.

Impact on BEM’s business and stock

Bangkok Expressway and Metro is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, where its business spans toll roads and the MRT Blue Line and Purple Line networks. Station retail, including formats like No.9 Store, contributes to the “commercial development” segment that supplements fare and toll income.

For US-focused retail investors, BEM stock (SET: BEM, ISIN TH0019010003) is quoted in Thai baht on the SET and does not have a primary US listing, so exposure typically comes via regional funds rather than direct US trading.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Securities trading carries risks up to total loss.