Local Transportation in Thailand

• Local Transportation in Thailand
• List of airports in Thailand

Samlors
Samlors are three-wheeled vehicles that can transport one or two people up to a few kilometers. Motorized samlors are known as tuk-tuks – their two-stroke engines introduced by the Japanese during World War II, are notoriously noisy. In heavy traffic or during the rainy season, tuk-tuks can be uncomfortable and unstable, but are always popular with tourists.

Nonmotorized samlors are often in the form of bicycle rickshas. You need to negotiate a price before climbing into either type: 30-60 baht is reasonable for short hops.

Getting Around Bangkok

BTS Sky Trains

The elevated BTS sky train is by the fastest, coolest and most comfortable way to get around. Trains run every few minutes from 6am-midnight at 15-40 baht according to the distance. BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market. For more information, contact the Bangkok Mass Transit System at tel: 02 617 7300 or visit http://www.bts.co.th

MRT or Subway

The city's subway system connects many of the top tourist attractions with the accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. Fares range from 14 to 36 baht. The trains run from 6am-midnight, daily. For more information, visit http://www.bangkokmetro.co.th

TAXI

Taxis cruising city streets are metered. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometers, and approximately 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often don’t! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.

TUK-TUKS

The motorized open-front three-wheelers should only be used for short distances as they expose you to pollution. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately 30 baht.


Boat
Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya River. Some are just cross river ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi

Useful boat lines include the following:

• Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat
• Chao Phraya Express Boat
• Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat
• Sathon-Khlong Toei Express Boat
• Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat (Under testing)
• Sathon-Samut Prakarn Express Boat (Under testing)
• Khlong Pasee Charoen Express Boat (Under new testing)
• Khlong Lardprao Express Boat (Under new testing)
• Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat (Under new testing)
• Khlong Padung Krungkasem Express Boat (Under new testing)

Bus
Public buses are plentiful and inexpensive, with a minimum fare of 7 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 10 and 22 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A Bus Route Map is available at bookshops and the TAT office. Visit http://www.bmta.co.th for more information on Bangkok's public buses.
** You can call 184 Bus Route Hotline



Motorbike
As passengers become more desperate in their attempts to beat rush-hour gridlocks, motorcycle taxis have moved from the soi to the main avenues. Fares for a motorcycle taxi are about the same as tuk-tuks except during heavy traffic, when they may cost a bit more.

Songthaews
Songthaews (literally translated as “two rows”) are vans with two rows of seats in the back. They are more common than city buses outside Bangkok and run popular routes for set fares, typically between 20 and 40 baht. Drivers may wait until they are at least half full before staring out. Routes are sometimes written in English on the sides of the vans. Songthaews can be rented like taxis, but less comfortable.