| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
BTS SKYTRAIN
The BTS Skytrain is the safest, most comfortable and
convenient way to get around Bangkok. In service since
December 5, 1999, it has transformed the face of public
transportation in the Thai capital, for the first time
offering both residents and visitors a comfortable ride
through central Bangkok - lifting commuters above the
chronic congestion, noise and pollution of the streets
below.
Our modern electrified trains transport Bangkok's commuters
in wide air-conditioned cars, saving them time with
quick, reliable service. The BTS SkyTrain's high-capacity
operating system ensures almost no breakdowns and a
virtual 100% punctuality. Each train can carry over
1,000 passengers while a similar number of people would
use 800 cars, making the BTS Skytrain the most environmentally
friendly mass transit system in Thailand.
Currently there are two routes, the Sukhumvit Line
and the Silom Line. They cover much of the central city
and its many commercial, residential and tourist areas,
with extensions planned to outlying areas. The trains
run daily between 6:00 am and 12:00 midnight with frequent
service throughout the day, increased during rush hours.
The fare is based on the distance traveled.
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).
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