International
and Domestic Travel
Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for
most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are
also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time.
A number of domestic carriers
service a majority of large provincial cities dotting generously
across the country. Travel to neighboring countries is cheaper
when booked within Thailand. Train services connect Bangkok
to all regions of the country at reasonable prices. A regular
rail service also runs between Bangkok and Singapore via
Malaysia. Long distance coaches, both air-conditioned and
open-aired, connect all major cities.
At the local level, diverse forms of transportation are
provided: provincial buses, city buses, songthaews, tuk-tuks,
rickshaws, boats, and even rental cars.
International Travel
Air : With Bangkok serving
as the international travel hub of SE Asia, the 
capital
serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines,
most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered
and regional flights may land at one of the other international
airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang
Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. Thecountry's
national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes
for international departures costs 500 baht/person. The
check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior
departure time.
International flights information
(662) 535-1254 (departures)
(662) 535-1301 (arrivals)Those traveling from neighboring
countries may enter Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends,
particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well
in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly
difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday
Air : Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok
Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial
airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways'
2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services
to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok
Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air
(mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer
destinations. Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern
cities only.
Another carrier is SGA scenic airline of Thailand
which flies to Hua Hin everyday, and also provides air charter
service in the region.
The domestic terminal is located at the southern
end of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins
for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time
and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax
has already been added to your ticket fare.
Domestic flights Information
(662) 535-1192 (departures)
(662) 535-1253 (arrivals)
Reservation / Ticket
Buses :
Inter-city bus services offer
a fast means of transport to all corners of the country.
Air-conditioned buses service many provincial areas and
bookings for both regular and tour coaches (private companies)
can be made through major hotels and travel agents, or at
the following bus terminals:
Northern
Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2852-66
ext. 614
0-2936-3670
Eastern
Bus Terminal : Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: 0-2391-6846,
0-2391-2504
Northeastern
Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2852-66
ext.605
0-2936-0657
Southern
Bus Terminal : Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel:
0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199
Central
Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2841-8
ext.311
0-2537-8055
The
government bus company, calledBor Kor Sor (BKS), provides
the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being
frequent and reliable, no advance booking is necessary.
Both air-conditioned ones and open-aired ones stop almost
everywhere along their route, with the latter being
the cheapest and slowest. |
Trains :
The State Railway of Thailand
runs an efficient rail service linking 
Bangkok
(Hua Lam Phong is the central train station) to the rest
of the country at very reasonable prices for express, fast
and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern routes
out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station,
traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province
in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.
On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes:
first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class
(non air-conditioned, but with fans).
Advance tickets are available
at all principal stations or the Bangkok Railway Advance
Booking Office at Tel : 0-2220-4444
Thailand Weather
