Thailand
Information
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When arriving
in Thailand ask for free copies of Thaiways magazine and Thaiways
maps from the information counter at airports or hotels.
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Domestic flight services are now operated by six domestic carriers, which
are, Thai Airways International (or THAI), Bangkok Airways, PB Air, Air
Asia, Orient Thai Airlines (One-Two-Go), Nok Air, and SGA Airlines.
Thailand has six international airports, one each in Bangkok, Chiang
Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Ko Samui and Hat Yai, and 23 domestic airports
in major cities around the country. They are Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok,
Lampang, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Phanom,
Phrae, Nan, Loei, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Mae Sot (Tak), Phetchabun,
Buriram, Roi Et, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Ranong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang,
Krabi, and Narathiwat.
Of all the domestic airlines, Thai Airways International
(TG) is the biggest and operates flights to all local
destinations above. Other airlines provide flight services to the provinces
as follows:
Bangkok Airways: Chiang Mai, Pattaya (U Tapao), Phuket,
Samui, Sukhothai, Trat
Air Asia: Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Narathiwat,
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani
One-Two-Go: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Chiang
Rai, Hat Yai
PB Air: Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Nan, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon,
Nakhon Phanom, Buriram, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nok Air: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phuket,
Hat Yai, Krabi, Udon Thani, Loei, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang
SGA: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Pai, Hua Hin
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.
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There are two main types of buses running to provinces around Thailand.
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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. |
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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. |
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For information |
Call 0 2936 2852 to 66, 0 2936
3666 |
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Reached by Buses |
3, 8, 27, 28, 29,
34, 39, 44, 59, 77, 90, 104, 108, 122, 134, 136, 138 |
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For Taxi |
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| Eastern Bus Terminal |
| Located on Sukhumwit Road at Soi 40 opposite
Soi 63 (Ekkamai). |
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For information |
Call 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097 |
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Reached by Buses |
2, 25, 38, 40, 48,
71, 98 |
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For Taxi |
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| Southern 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. |
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For information |
Call 0 2894 6122 |
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Reached by Buses |
19, 28, 30, 57, 66,
79, 123, 124, 125, 127, 146, 149, 159, 201, 170, 174, 177, 183,
507, 511, 515, 516, 539 |
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For Taxi |
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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. |
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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 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 |
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| The northeastern route |
Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buriram, Nong
Khai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen |
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| The southern route |
Sungai Kolok (Narathiwat), Yala, Pattani, Hat
Yai (Songkhla), Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Surat
Thani, Chumphon |
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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 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 8701
| For taxi : Hualamphong Station |
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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.
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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.
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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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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