Local Transport
Bangkok
Bangkok has the most varied choice of transport in
Thailand with very modern mass transit systems.
Best is probably
the Skytrain quick, convenient, cheap and no traffic jams. Cost 10 to 40
also multiple journey tickets cut the cost considerably, many of the major
tourist destinations and shopping malls are located at the stations.
Opened
in 1999 by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Bangkok Mass Transit System
(BTS) or Skytrain has 23 stations on 23km's of track and two
linked lines 1 The Sukhumvit line runs from north to east across the city, 2 The
Silom line plies the central business district, the lines connect at Silom
station. Trains are very frequent and very efficient. Click Here For Skytrain
Route Map (link)
At this time costruction of extensions to the line are
unway in particular a link to the new airport.
MRT Metro Station
The other mass
Transit system in Bangkok is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) which is a
Metro/Underground/Subway system. Opened in July 2004. As with the
Skytrain it is fast efficient and cheap and also avoids Bangkok's horrendous
traffic, fares are around 15-40. the system covers 18 stations and 21km's The
system is disabled friendly with lifts/elevators and ramps at all stations.
There are two interconnected lines the blue line and the purple line. Security
is good with cctv and uniformed guards at stations and on trains. Unlimited one
day pass 120, or 30 days 800.
Large map of metro system Click here ( link)
ASK ME
Taxi
These are metered in Bangkok and again are cheap the
driver may try to make a set fair rather than the meter but this would always be
for his advantage, meter is the way to go, if he doesn’t switch it on when you
get in ask him to, point your finger at the meter, otherwise he will make up the
fare when you get to the destination. Taxi’s run 25 hours a day 8 days a week so
don’t worry about staying out to late. At closing time at Nana Plaza the number
of taxi’s queuing make Manhattan’s taxi’s look like an extinct species. Fares
are very good 35 including the first 2km and 5 per km after that. So even a
long journey across the city usually are not over 100 . A surcharge is added in
traffic jams around 1 per minute , meaning at night they're
definitely the best way of getting around.
All taxis are green and
yellow or blue and red or occasionally another colour but it should
always be very obvious by the paintwork and phone numbers prominent on the
outside of the car. Phone number for taxi is 1661 ask anyone to help you
call
Tuk
Tuk's
Three wheeler pollution machines, drivers can be.. lets
say.. difficult, they always want to overcharge and on occasion drive like
maniacs, you need to negotiate a price before getting in, once he has moved you
are at his mercy, when the price for a 10 minute ride sounds like what you would
pay in Paris its probably to much. One thing the drivers have in common with
taxi drivers is they can always recommend a restaurant, travel agent, gift shop
or any other service these are not necessarily the best places to go just the
ones where they get best commission. Many westerners living in Bangkok will not
use Tuk tuks because they are no cheaper than a taxi and the hassle of
bargaining with the driver is frustrating but if you are in Bangkok for a few
days it one of those 'must do' things.
Motor Bike Taxis again you have to negotiate a price but they tend to be reasonable, this is the quickest way to get around by road.
Especially at rush hour, but the rider need’s to get you there asap so he can pick up another fair and make more money so anything goes in his pursuit of a quick journey so this is not for the fainthearted
Bus
Local buses are cheap but at the mercy of the
traffic which means slow, air-conditioned models (pale orange or blue and white}
cost around 12 no air buses are red and cost 5 great if you want to save
7 baht and get lung cancer through the open windows and leaking exhaust
system.
On the 3 cool days of the year walking is the cheapest and most interesting way to go.
Local Transport
other area’s
Other towns and cities have a mixture of Tuk Tuks ,
motor bike taxis, taxis so the same rules apply. Also you may find
Songtaew’s or baht buses little pick up trucks converted
to carry jump on jump off passengers these are usually shared during the day and
evening for a few baht on a set route and then hired by individuals like taxis
at night again you have to negotiate a price before boarding.
Nationwide
Travel
By Air over the past few years no frill
airlines have sprung up in Asia a term familiar to European travelers,
basically they are cheap flights, the sooner you book the cheaper they are,
sometimes they can be very cheap indeed maybe 300 from Bangkok to Udon Thani or
700 to the far south these airlines operate on the bare minimum no food and no
frills but who cares when a 2 hour flight is 2000. Try to book early either
online or through a local agent in Thailand.
Three domestic airlines operate
from Don Muang Airport see our Airport Button.
Air Asia's Often Crazy Prices
Bus
Long
haul buses run every day to every corner of the Kingdom, Bangkok
is usually the ’hub’ if you need to change buses on route. Fares are very cheap
by western standards.
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
Nong Khai
Roi Et
Sakhon Nakhon
Surin
Ubon Ratchathani
Udonthani
Yasothon
Eastern Bus
Terminal
Sukhumvit
Rd, Bangkok Tel: (66) 2391-2504
For Buses
to ..
Aranyaprathed
Chantaburi
Kanchanaburi
Ko Chang excluding
ferry ticket
Ko Samet
excluding ferry ticket
Rayong
Trat
Southern Bus
Terminal
Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel: (66) 2435-1200,
2434-7192
For Buses to
...
Hat
Yai
Krabi
Narathiwat
Pattani
Phang Nga
Phattalong
Phuket
Ranong
Ko Samui excluding ferry
ticket
Satun
Sugaiko Lok
Suratthani
Trang
Yala
Northern Bus
Terminal also North Eastern
Terminal
Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: (66)
2936-3660
For Buses to
..
Chiang Mai
Chiang
Rai
Chiang Saen
Chiang Kham
Chiang
Khong
Lamphon
Nan
Phayao
Phitsanulok
Phrae
Mae
Sod
Sukhothai
Tak
Utaladit
Trains
Usually classed as express
(regular) or sprinter which are often overnight trains usually have sleeping
berths or reclining seats.
Many destinations served such as Chang Mai 2 exp 2
sprinter per day. One of the most popular rides is the old Burma or death
railway at Kanchanaburi, where trains still run over the "Bridge on the River
Kwai".
Trains also run down to Malaysia and the southern
resorts.
Click Here http://www.asia-discovery.com/train.htm
Victory Monument is a good place for a mini bus to the cities of Hua Hin and Cha Am there is a skytrain stop above the bus terminal.
