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.
Flights Information (662) 132 0000
Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter
Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
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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.
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. |
Reservation
/ Ticket
| Airline
|
Telephone |
| Bangkok Airways |
(662) 265-5555 |
| Nok Air |
(662) 900-9955 |
| PB Air |
662) 261-0220-5 |
| Thai Airways |
(662) 628-2000 |
| SGA Airlines |
662) 535 7050 - 1 |
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for
international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking
with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or
e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).
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.
Advices for tourists regarding travelling on the state
buses.
 -
Buy the bus ticket at the state bus terminal which has
this symbol.
- Remember plate number, coach's number and keep the
tickets with you in case you have problem.
- Keep your valuables safety all the travelling programmes
such as credit cards, traveler's checks and passport.
- For emergency or you need assistance, inform the nearest
police officer or call Tourist Police (1155) immediately.
- Please check your belongings before getting off the
bus. |
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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
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