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. The
country'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.
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
| Airline |
Telephone |
| Angel Air |
(662) 937-8908 |
| Bangkok Airways |
(662) 265-5555 |
| PB Air |
(662) 261-0220-5 |
| Thai Airways |
(662) 628-2000 |
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, called Bor 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
|
