|
Domestic flight services are now operated by five domestic carriers: Thai Airways International (commonly known as THAI), Bangkok Airways, PB Air, Air Andaman and Phuket Air.
Thailand has four international airports, one each in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai, and 26 domestic airports in major cities around the country. They are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Lampang, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Phanom, Phrae, Nan, Loei, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Mae Sot (Tak), Phetchabun, Buriram, Roi Et, Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Ranong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Krabi, Narathiwat and U- Tapao (Pattaya).
Most domestic routes are operated by THAI, and some routes continue on to neighbouring countries, e.g. Malaysia (Penang, Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia and China.
|
THAI (TG)
|
Flies to 16 provinces all over Thailand. |
|
Bangkok Airways
|
Flies to Samui, Phuket, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya (U-Tapao). It also operates international flights to Siam Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Phrabang and Singapore. |
|
PB Air
|
Flies to Roi-et, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Phetchabun, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Lampang and Krabi. |
|
Phuket Air
|
Flies to Phuket, Krabi and Ranong. |
|
Air Andaman
|
Flies to Chumphon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Loei, Surin, Buriram Phrae, Nan and Mae Sot. |
For more details, please contact your travel agent.
There are two main types of buses running to provinces around Thailand.
|
|
| • |
Non-air-conditioned buses operated by the government which are the cheapest and slowest. These orange-coloured buses stop in every little town and pick up passengers at any point along the route. |
| • |
Air-conditioned buses painted in blue. This type, run by both the government and private companies, is faster and more comfortable. Yet the number of routes of air-con buses are less than those of the ordinary buses as they go to major cities only. Normally, there are two classes of air-con buses -- regular and 1st class; the latter 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 have only 30 to 34 seats providing more leg room for each passenger. Generally, private companies offer more daily trips than the government's, though their fares are somewhat higher. |
| Bus terminals |
|
|
There are three long-distance bus terminals in Bangkok as follows:
|
|
|
| Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal |
|
|
|
|
Located on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, a little way from Chatuchak Market.
|
|
|
|
| |
For information |
Call 0 2936 2852-66, 0 2936 3666 |
| |
Reached by Buses |
3, 8, 27, 28, 29, 34, 39, 44, 59, 77, 90, 104, 108, 122, 134, 136, 138 |
| |
For Taxi |
 (Mor chit) |
| |
| Eastern Bus Terminal |
|
|
|
| Located on Sukhumwit Road at Soi 40 opposite Soi 63 (Ekkamai). |
|
|
|
| |
For information |
Call 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097 |
|
Reached by Buses |
2, 25, 38, 40, 48, 71, 98 |
| |
For Taxi |
 (Ekamai) |
| |
| Southern Bus Terminal |
|
|
|
| Located on Borommarat Chachonnani Road, about 2 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 2435 1199, 0 2434 7192 |
| |
Reached by Buses |
19, 28, 30, 57, 66, 123, 127, 146 |
| |
For Taxi |
 (Sai tai) |
| |
|
|
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. |
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 say that the train is more comfortable, especially on overnight trips. However, travelling by train take a bit longer than by bus.
| 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 3 p.m. 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 |
| |
|
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. Besides, 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 as you don't have to wait in a long queue at a station, especially during holiday time when many Thais scramble for getting train tickets. Therefore, 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 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the advance booking offices from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
For more information, call 0 2223 0341-8, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020.
Car, Jeep & Van
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, yet they offer a larger choice. 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.
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.
Important!
1. Thai drives on the left-hand side of the road.
2. Foreigners who wish to drive motor vehicles in Thailand need a valid International Driving License.
3. Driving license and passport must be carried at all times when driving.
|
|
| • |
Bus
Most big provinces have public non-air-con bus and air-con bus services to destinations within the provinces and to other nearby provinces. |
| • |
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). |
| • |
Samlor
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. |
|
