n:
Since you ask in such a charmingly patronizing manner, I can only respond - no, I'm not kidding and yes, I have taken transit in Bangkok.
My experiences are that getting from point A to point B - whether by rail, taxi, motorbike taxi, river boat but never tuk tuk - is generally much less of a hassle than in Toronto and, for a middle class person, still relatively cheap.
If I can stick to the skytrain or subway, the system is fast, reliable, clean and technologically advanced. Some would probably say they put Toronto to shame. The buses are as you describe.
So, in summary:
Urban rail systems - advantage Bangkok.
Buses - advantage Toronto.
Taxi - advantage Bangkok.
Boat, motorcycle taxi - NA.
I get by very well in Bangkok without a car. In Toronto, even with an apartment on Bay Street, I need a car. Otherwise it is extortionately expensive, e.g. taxi from downtown to Markham, or takes for ever unless going from one subway stop to another.
a