Transportation in Thailand
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Thai Airways International (TG) Internet: www.thaiair.com) and Bangkok Airways (PG) (Internet: www.bangkokair.com) fly to all major cities. Outside the main season there are often discounts and special tariffs.
Air passes
According to youremailverifier, the Star Alliance airline group offers its customers the Thailand Airpass for flights within Thailand. The pass can be purchased in conjunction with any international flight if it is a sightseeing or open jaw flight. 3 to 10 route coupons can be purchased and the maximum length of stay is 3 months.
On the way by car / bus
The road network (52,000 km) in Thailand is relatively well developed, there are numerous expressways. Left-hand traffic.
Bus: Long-distance buses run between all cities and all parts of the country. The state bus company is called Bor Kor Sor (BKS). It’s cheap and reliable. However, the buses are overcrowded. You can book seats in the air-conditioned and more comfortable buses of private companies, but the prices are a little higher. Bookings can be made in hotels, travel agencies or at the major bus terminals in Bangkok.
Taxi:It is advisable to negotiate the fare before starting your journey; however, most taxi drivers hardly speak any English. Taxis run everywhere in Thailand day and night. Tips are not expected. There are three different types of taxis, metered, metered, and three-wheeled tuk-tuks (motor rickshaws). You can also negotiate the fare in metered taxis. During rush hour you can get around faster with the tuk-tuk. Visitors should include the name of a nearby hotel or attraction in connection with the destination. Taxi drivers often try to tow their passengers to a tourist shop (where they receive commission) before driving them to their destination.
Car rental companies can be found in all major cities.
Documentation: international driver’s license.
Regulations
Alcohol must not get into the interior of a vehicle – not even when the vehicle is parked. Alcohol may only be transported in the trunk of vehicles. Failure to comply with this rule will result in either a 6 month jail sentence or a fine of around € 1,500.
Traveling in the city
The Government Mass Transit Authority (Internet: www.bts.co.th) is responsible for local public transport in Bangkok. There’s a subway, water taxis, taxis, the skytrain. The Skytrain, Bangkok’s state-of-the-art means of transport, is ideal for sightseeing: the elevated train travels over the canyons of the main traffic axes.
The Bangkok Transit System BTS also operates shuttle buses that run between 6.30 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. on six different routes (Internet: www.bts.co.th/en/service.asp). There are also many private ones Bus and minibus companies. In air-conditioned buses and express buses, fares are higher, i. General however, they are still inexpensive. You pay with the conductor. In city buses, the back seats should be kept free for the Buddhist monks. It is advisable to purchase a map of the bus route network upon arrival in Bangkok.
Water taxis are very common, time-saving and inexpensive.
On the go by train
The rail network extends over 4600 km and connects all major cities (with the exception of Phuket). The national railway company is the State Railway of Thailand (Internet: www.railway.co.th). Train tickets can be purchased online: www.thairailwayticket.com.
The four main routes lead north to Chiang Mai and the eastern, southern and western regions of the country; there is also a railway line between Thonburi (Bangkok) and Nam Tok over the famous bridge over the River Kwai. Several trains run daily on all routes, e.g. Some of them lead dining and sleeping cars and have air conditioning. The trains run i. General quite slow, but comfortable.
The Southern Line Expressstops in Surat Thani, from where passengers can continue to Koh Samui by bus and ferry. Some timetables are also available in English.
The Eastern & Oriental Express runs within three days to attractions including Chiang Mai, Lampang, the ruined city of Ayutthaya and the River Kwai Bridge over.
Note on rail travel
With the Thailand Rail Pass of the State Railway of Thailand you can travel through Thailand in 2nd or 3rd class for 20 days.
– Tickets for all classes can be purchased 60 days in advance at the main Advance Booking Office in Bangkok Central Station, which is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The offices can be reached by telephone on (02) 224 77 88, (02) 223 37 62 or (02) 225 03 00 -5100.
– Passengers can transport luggage free of charge: 50 kg in first class, 40 kg in second class and 30 kg in third class. Children traveling at half price are allowed to take half of the baggage of the relevant class of travel with them.
– Children over three up to 12 years of age who are not taller than 1.50 m pay half the price. Children aged three or under and under 1 m travel free of charge – but are not entitled to a seat.
– Refunds for a trip must be requested within three hours of the journey time and will be billed according to the conditions of carriage.
