Airplane
Thailand has five domestic carriers: Thai Airways International (or THAI), Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Orient Thai Airlines (One-Two-Go), Nok Air, and SGA Airlines. Of all the domestic airlines, Thai Airways International (TG) is the biggest.
Thailand has six major international airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai, and 23 domestic airports for commercial flights in major cities around the country. They are Buriram, Hua Hin (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Si thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Pai , Phitsanulok, Ranong, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Samui, Surat Thani, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani, and U-Taphao (Rayong).
For more details, please contact your travel agent, or call +66 (0) 2356 1111 for Thai Airways and +66 (0) 2664 6099 for SGA Airlines.
Bus
There are two main types of buses running to provinces around Thailand - With and without air-conditioning.
Non-air-conditioned buses (typically orange) are operated by the government and are the cheapest and slowest. These buses stop in every small town and pick up passengers at any point along the route.
Air-conditioned buses (typically blue) are run by both the government and private companies. They are generally faster and more comfortable, but there are fewer routes than other public buses since they only go to larger cities. Additionaly, there are two classes of air-conditioned buses -- regular and First Class; First Class buses have toilets.
For long routes like those going to Chiang Mai, Surat Thani and Phuket, there is another type called "VIP" or "sleeper" buses which only accomodate 30 to 34 passengers providing more leg room for each passenger. Generally, private companies offer more daily trips than the government's, though their fares are usually higher.
Bus Terminals
There are three long-distance bus terminals in Bangkok:
- Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal Located on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, a little way from Chatuchak Market. For information Call 0 2936 2852 to 66, 0 2936 2841 to 48 Reached by Buses 3, 26, 29, 34, 39, 49, 59, 77, 96, 122, 134, 136, 138, 145, 157, 159, 170, 509, 510, 512, 517
- Eastern Bus Terminal Located on Sukhumwit Road at Soi 40 opposite Soi 63 (Ekkamai). For information Call 0 2391 6846 Reached by Buses 2, 23, 25, 38, 40, 48, 98, 501, 511, 513 BTS Skytrain Ekkamai Station
- Southern and Western Bus Terminal Located on Borommarat Chonnani Road, about 7 km. from Pin Klao Bridge. Besides the southern buses, the buses going to western provinces like Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi also depart from here. For information Call 0 2894 6122 Reached by Buses 28, 30, 40, 57, 66, 123, 124, 125, 127, 146, 149, 159, 201, 170, 174, 177, 183, 507, 511, 515, 516, 539
There are also buses running between major destinations within the region, e.g. Surat Thani to Hat Yai in the South and Sukhothai to Chiang Mai in the North.For provincial bus terminals, call 1490 or visit www.transport.co.th
Train
The State Railway of Thailand offers train services throughout the country at very reasonable fares. Most long-distance trains start off from Bangkok's Hualamphong Station on Rama IV Road. The four main rail lines, covering over 4,000 km., are the northern, northeastern, eastern and southern routes. Note that the trains to the northern and northeastern routes pass Don Muang airport station, so you can catch a train here if you go to any province along either route to avoid heavy traffic in town in rush hours.
There are four types of trains -- ordinary, rapid, express and special express, and three classes of cars -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd. For a long distance trip, the fare for the 2nd class is about the same as a private tour bus, but some find that the train is more comfortable, especially on overnight trips. However, travelling by train take a bit longer than by bus.
Bookings & Tickets Buying
Passengers can buy tickets and make advance bookings at Hualamphong Station or any of the 11 other stations in Bangkok including Don Muang Station as well as stations in large cities throughout Thailand. Train tickets can also be purchased at travel agencies, with a surcharge of 50-100 baht to the ticket price. This is much more convenient since you don't have to wait in a long queue at a station, especially during holiday time when many Thais scramble to get train tickets. It is advisable to book your train far in advance if you plan to go to a popular destination such as Chiang Mai, Hat Yai or Surat Thani. Advance bookings may be made one to 60 days prior to your scheduled departure date. The ticket offices at Hualamphong Station open from 05.00 to 23.00 hrs. and the advance booking offices from 07.00 to 16.00 hours every day.
For details, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2220 4444 (RSVN), 0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701Reached by Buses 4, 7, 21, 25, 40, 48, 98, 501, 511, 513 MRT Bangkok Metro Hua Lamphong Station For taxi : Hualamphong Station
Sleeping Berths
Sleeping berths, ordinary and air-con, are available on rapid, express and special express trains for all long distance routes which depart from about 15.30 hrs. onwards. The following are the major provinces accessible by trains with sleeper cars:
- The northern route Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phichit
- The northeastern route Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buriram, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen
- The southern route Sungai Kolok (Narathiwat), Yala, Pattani, Hat Yai (Songkhla), Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Surat Thani, Chumphon
Automobile
Rental Cars, jeeps and vans can be rented in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and other tourist cities. The rental costs for cars and jeeps are from around 2,000 to 3,000 baht per day and vans from 2,500 to 3,500 baht. Typically, international rental companies charge a bit more than local companies, though they offer more choices. A car can also be rented at travel agencies, many of which have branch offices in large- and medium-sized hotels. It is advisable to check whether a car is insured for liability before signing a rental contract.
VERY IMPORTANT!
Thai drives on the left-hand side of the road.
Foreigners who wish to drive motor vehicles in Thailand need a valid International Driving License.
Driving license and passport must be carried at all times when driving.
Motorcycle
Like cars, motorcycles can be rented in tourist cities, except Bangkok as it is not convenient to use motorcycle here. It has recently become a popular way to travel around Thailand by motorcycle, especially in the North. Rentals vary considerably from city to city. In major tourist spots like Chiang Mai and Phuket where there is an abundance of motorcycle rental shops, the costs are certainly much lower.Anyway, whether you rent a motorcycle from a big rental company or a small shop, it is advisable to check the machine over thoroughly before you take it out. Before renting, make sure that an insurance is provided, though with an extra charge. And please note that both rider and passenger on a motor bike must wear a helmet.
Taxi
Many tourist cities have taxi services, but most of them are non-metered. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the fare before departure. Some big cities also have share-taxi services for popular routes. Though the fare is fixed and cheaper, you have to wait until there are enough passengers (usually four or five).
Samlo
A samlo is a three-wheeled taxi which comes in two types -- motorised and nonmotorised. Motorised samlos or Tuk-Tuk can be found throughout the country while nonmotorised ones (or tricycle or rickshaws) are available in certain provincial towns. Both types of samlos are suitable for short trips only.
Songthaeo
Literally meaning two rows, this is a small pickup truck with two benches, each at one side of the truck seating several people. It is a public transport which operates fixed routes like buses, but normally runs a shorter distance or within the province. Songthaeo can also be chartered like a regular taxi.
