Travel within Thailand:

Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a wide domestic network with daily flights linking virtually all major towns with Bangkok. Ground transportation is extremely comprehensive and comparatively inexpensive. There are convenient rail connections with the North, Northeast and South, while air conditioned coach and government bus services are operated from Bangkok to all town throughout the country. Rental cars are also readily available.

Bangkok Airways South East Asia comprises of many nations: Thailand, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Phillipines, and Indonesia. Thailand is a country of around 60 million people with the size of France. Thai is a common language with many dialects spread throughout the country. English is commonly spoken among business and trade circles. You will not have a problem with rudimentary English with many shops and getting around.

Cars: Thailand is an outstanding country to tour with rented transport. Traffic is moderate and manageable, except in Bangkok. Highways are in good condition, and directional signs are often in English. Less expensive rentals are available from local agencies, but make sure to check the condition of the car thoroughly before handing over your money. An international driver's license is required, and insurance is mandatory to be able to drive in Thailand.

Trains: An efficient rail system links major northern and northeastern towns with the Bangkok. A southern route permits the visitor to travel by train into Malaysia and Singapore. Domestic express trains include first, second, and third- class cars. Slower trains may have only third-class seats. For four major regions northern, northeastern, southern and eastern can be traveled by train from Bangkok Railway Station (Hualumpong).

For
Bangkok Railway Station; Tel: (02) 225-0300, 223-0341-8, 223-7461

Buses: Bus transport in Thailand is fast, clean and reasonably comfortable for shorter journeys. Most buses provide reclining airline-style seats and video movies. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses are available on major routes. The cheapest are the ordinary coaches operated by the government bus company called Bor Kor Sor. Air-conditioned buses operated by independent companies are usually 30 to 70% more expensive, but complimentary meals and transportation from your hotel to the bus terminals are often included.

Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal; Phahonyothin Road Tel (02) 936-3659-60
Bangkok's Northeastern Bus Terminal; Phahonyothin Road Tel (02) 936-2852-66 ext. 611
Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal; Pinklao-Nahkon Chaisri Road Tel (02) 434-5558, 435-1190, 435-1200
Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal; Sukhumwit Road Tel (02) 391-8097, 391-9829, 392-9227

Taxis: Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok have meters and start up from 35 baht for first 2 Kms. Express ways charges and airport exit fees not including.

If outside downtown of Bangkok, passenger has to inform to taxi driver to get acceptance and additional charges might be happened which depended on distance.

"Tuk-Tuks" or three-wheel taxis are quite popular among tourists for short journeys inside Bangkok. Fares range from 30 Baht to 150 Baht for this means of transportation.

Car Hire: The Bangkok Yellow Pages lists local and international automobile rental companies Self-drive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available. Car hire companies also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Those possessing valid International Driver Licenses may prefer to hire automobiles.

Buses: Bus transport in Bangkok is cheap and reasonably comfortable. There are non-airconditioned red and green buses (any destination 3.5 Baht), airconditioned blue buses (fare depending on distance) and air-conditioned televised microbuses with free newspapers (20 or 30 Baht, very comfortable for longer trips within the city). Red and green buses operate 24 hours a day (night fare 5 Baht).

Motorcycles: The fastest vehicle to whisk you out of a traffic jam, it require a somewhat adventurous disposition. Fares range from 15 to 100 Baht. Basically they do not go for long distances. Wearing helmet is obligatory and usually the driver will provide you with one.

The Skytrain is Launched: As promised the BTS Skytrain service was launched on 5th December 1999, to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the King of Thailand. The first day was marred by the failure of the automatic resulting in long queues and waiting time of up to one hour.

But this was not to deter Bangkokians, as it seemed despite the delay and the cost everyone wanted to try the service. The section from Sukhumvit Rd to Morchit was particularly popular with families combining a ride on the skytrain with a visit to the Weekend Market.

As an example, it takes just 19 smooth and comfortable minutes to travel between Emporium shopping mall to Morchit at a cost of Baht 40.

For the frequent user a Stored Value card worth Baht 300 has been introduced. As a special promotion the normal Baht 30 deposit has been waived reducing the cost to Baht 270.

For more details about BTS Skytrain visit www.bts.co.th

Between the airport and town

By Bus : Airport buses busying between the Don Muang Airport and the major downtown destinations are worth their 70 Baht fare, and avoiding a likely trip around Bangkok by taxi (with the fare clocking up all the way on the taximetre), it's a bargain. There are 3 routes of the Airport Bus:

A-1 goes to the Silom Road business district via Pratunam and Rajdamri Road, stoppping at big hotels like Indra Regent, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Regent Bangkok and Dusit Thani.

A-2 goes to Sanam Luang via Phayathai Road, Lan Luang Road, Rajdamnoen Klang Road and Tanao Road; comes in hady for those travelling to the Siam Square ir Banglamphu areas.

A-3 goes to the Phrakanong district via Sukhumwit Road.

You can also catch local air-conditioned buses on the main road that passes the airport. Bus 4 goes to the Rama Garden Hotel, Indra Regent, Erawan, Hyatt, and Dusit Thani hotels, and down Silom Road (last bus at 8 PM). Bus 10 goes to the Rama Garden Hotel, the Northern Bus Terminal, the Victory Monument, and the Southern Bus Terminal (last bus at 8:30 PM). Bus 13 goes to the Northern Bus Terminal, Victory Monument, and down Sukhumvit Road to the Eastern Bus Terminal (last bus at 8 PM). Bus 29 goes to the Northern Bus Terminal, Victory Monument, Siam Square, and Bangkok's main railway station, Hualamphong (last bus at 8:30 PM). Cost: B15.

By Helicopter: The quickest way downtown is the helicopter that lands at the Shangri-La Hotel (. Anyone who will pay the $200 fare is welcome aboard.

By Minibus: Thai Airways has a minibus service between the airport and major hotels. They depart when they are full. Cost: B100. Complimentary orchid nosegay included.

By Riverboat Shuttle: A bus-and-boat service leaves every 30 minutes, 6 AM-9 PM. This service is really for the benefit of guests at the Oriental, Royal Orchid Sheraton, and Shangri-La hotels, but others can use it if there's space. The bus takes you from the airport to the river, where you transfer to a boat for the half-hour run to the hotels. Fare is $28 (B700); overall time is under an hour.

By Taxi: Don Muang is 25 km (15 mi) from the city center. The road is often congested with traffic. Be prepared for a 90-minute journey by taxi, though there are times when it can take less than 40 minutes. obtain a reservation and prepay the fare at the counter (at either terminal), and a driver will lead you to the taxi. The fare to downtown Bangkok depends on the exact location and, to some extent, the time of day. Count on B300-B350 from the international terminal and B250 from the domestic. Taxis to the airport from downtown Bangkok are approximately B130. Use a metered taxi and agree to pay for the toll road, an extra B50.

Otherwise, upon arrival you may want to procede upstairs, to the Departure Hall and catch a taxi that has just dropped the passengers. Insist on charging by the metre, it's the buyers' market in Bangkok now. It will hardly ever be more than 250 Baht when travelling within the city limits.

By Train: Bangkok Airport Express trains make the 35-minute run every 90 minutes from 8 AM to 7 PM. Check the schedule at the tourist booth in the arrival hall. Fare: B100. You can also take regular trains from 5:30 AM to 9 PM. The fare is B5 for a local train, B13 for an express.