Thailand Transportation - Jims Thailand Travels

Transportation in Thailand

From Big Jim -I don't claim to be the expert on Thailand transportation but would just like to share some of the things I have found out for my self when getting around Thailand. My hopes are that maybe this info will aide you or even save you some trouble when you are on your Thailand journey!

Overview - I find aquiring transportation in Thailand quite a challenge and part the fun, experience, and sometimes the reason your back hurts so much because of the broken chair you were sitting in. Of course getting a plane in no problem as all the staff are efficient and English speaking. Also it does not take a brain surgeon to hail a cab and just say the destination then off you go. There are other modes of transportation I will explain here, namely busses and trains, that may challenge you as you will be seeking the best possible comfort. Example do you really want to be sitting in the isle in a baby seat or on a ice chest because all the seats all full in the bus. The bus company sold the bus as a first class bus? Even the outside of the bus says VIP? This is just one example. With a little effort on your part you can have a good ride to your destination.

International Air - I have always used Eva Air. I am very happy with their service and have never had a problem. Note: There are 4 classes. First Class, Business Class, Evergreen Class, and Economy Class. For those on a budget - Economy seats across 3-4-3. Economy has private entertainment systems in all the seats. For those with a little extra money or those who are a larger person like me the Evergreen class in very nice. The seating is instead across 2-4-2. You are looking about 18 hrs flying time from LA to BKK. Maybe 3 hrs less on the return because of the airstream.

Domestic Air - Thai Air, Bangkok Airways, Nok , Air Asia, PB Air, Orient Thai, SGA, Tiger Airways, and Phuket Air.

BTS and the MTR - These two modes of Bangkok Mass Transit are a very favorable way to get around in a hurry and on the cheap. BTS meaning "Bangkok Mass Transit System" and MTR meaning "Mass Transit Railway". The BTS is an overhead monorail system and the MTR is an underground subway. Both systems are modern, clean, and effecient. Definitely you should try getting around Bangkok using the BTS or MTR to see your sites or places of interest and you won't be disappointed.

Bangkok City Buses - If you would like to save money and want a cool experience try taking a city bus like most of the local population does. After spending considerable time in BKK I found out the amount of money I was spending on cabs was adding up so finally I decided to take the city buses. You can link your city bus trips with the BTS (over head monorail) or the MRT (subway) for a convenient way to get to your destination. If you want to take a city bus but don't know which one to take just have a Thai person call 184 on a cell phone and they can get the bus # for you. Pretty simple. After that its just a matter of waiting on a bus stop (they are mostly marked with a metal international sign). When hailing your bus to stop - lift out your arm straight with your palm face down. This is the correct way to signal. Note: Always keep your bus ticket receipt in the case you are asked for it by the attendant. (continued here)

Longer Distance Buses in General - The Private bus companies and Government buses can be found at the main bus terminals in all major cities. The busses in Thailand are inexpensive and efficient. It does pay to get to know the bus system a bit and ask for this type of bus depending on the comfort level you want or the comfort level available. There will be no guarantees of the condition of the buses all the time. There are many clean and modern buses for travel to go along with the more torn up ones. (These after mentioned buses can be a real Thai experience!) You can normally use English but you can attempt speaking in basic Thai as you may not always have an English speaker there at all times. When you go into a bus terminal the typical foreigner (including me) wont be able to read a great deal. You are wondering how the hell I am going to get anywhere? Best thing is to find an attendant (there are many) and 'say your destination' and the bus or bus area will happily be pointed out to you. I have found the attendants or Thai people in general to be very help full at the terminals.

Main Bangkok Bus Stations - Depending on where you are traveling in the country also depends on what bus terminal you leave from so it is good to get to know the names and locations of these terminals. If going to the eastern seaboard (Pattaya, Trat and many destinations) you leave from the Ekamai Bus Station located just next to the Ekamai BTS station on Sukhumvit. If going to the north (Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, or the north-east i.e. Nong Kai, Ubon Rachathani and many destinations) you leave from the Mochit Bus Station located near the Mochit BTS Station or the Chatuchak MTR Terminal. Lastly if going to southern destinations (Krabi, Hat Yai, Kanchanaburi and many destinations) there is the new and modern Southern Bus Terminal. This is located on the Thornburi side of the river and is more difficult to get to. Best bet take a taxi to get there. Note: Always go to the real bus station to book and depart to your destination and never book at private or commercial travel or ticket agencies. Always keep your bus ticket receipt in the case you are asked for it by the attendant.

Types of Buses - In general (differing for city to city or village to village routes) there are VIP, 1st, 2nd and 3rd class busses.

VIP (pronounced the same in Thai) will offer very nice buses with as little as 24 seats. I recommend these for the most comfort. I might mention not all VIP busses or bus lines are created equal! (Some VIP busses are 32 to 34 seat and are not as good as the 24 seat for sure, especially if you are a larger person). To ask for VIP in Thai say "VIP". The best!

Ist class is an air con bus with a rest room. Thai markings for first class on side of bus (marking on side of bus) To ask for Ist class in Thai say "ba noong".

2nd class is air con without a rest room. Thai markings for second class on side of bus (marking on side of bus) To ask for 2nd class in Thai say "ba song"

3rd class is non-air con (fan only/no AC/no toilet) and will stop everywhere. Don't plan in taking a 3rd class bus if you want to get anywhere soon. Sometime this will be the only way to go. Still the 3rd class bus can be a real Thai experience and good for harder to get to places and smaller villages! To ask for 3rd class in Thai say rot tamada.

Private Bus Lines - I have taken the Private bus lines with success. I can refer you to 2 companies I have used that have nice coaches. My 1st choice is Chan Tours mostly because the seats were larger and more comfortable. Their VIPs are 24 seaters. They service the Khorat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thoni, Nong Kai route. My 2nd choice is NCA (Nokhan Chai Tours). Once again, the Private bus companies and Government buses can be found at the main bus terminals in all major cities. You can't always read the signs as much is in Thai. Just ask the attendants "Chan tours" or "NCA tours" and they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. Or just ask a cabbie.

Buses - Some Thai Language Help

Example:

Me (Do you have) rot (bus) VIP (vip) pai (go) Krung Tep (Bangkok) mai (question) khap?"
Me rot VIP pai Krung Tep mai khap?
yes= chai / no="mai chai"
what time is the bus? = "me rot ke mong?"
It is also good to get to know you times and numbers.

Train - The below photos show the interior of Hua Lamphong, the main train station In Bangkok. Taking a train is a beautiful way to see the country. Once again it pays to get to know the classes of coaches. The best is the express train. It will go direct to your destination making only major stops. A little slower is the rapid train which makes more stops. Next and last there is the ordinary train. Both the express trains and long distance rapid trains have first and second class sleeping berths available and are air conditioned. In the berths you can choose from upper or lower berths. In second class upper berths are smaller and less expensive than lower berths. I have taken 3rd class many times and have enjoyed it.

Hua Lamphong train station bangkok

Using the government train system is a real experience but it could be either a great! or bad experience depending on your choices of coach. In my opinion the advantages of taking the train is that you can see the country much better than the bus. The disadvantages could be the comfort. The train system is very old and tattered and the interiors are always in much need of repair. On second class (which can be air conditioned or not) I have sat on broken seats and had to endure true discomfort the whole trip because the attendent would not change my seat (all seats are assigned numbers and as you may know it does no good to create a confrontation in Thailand). The overhead fans have all been broken (what does it take to rebuild a motor or replace a fan as part of periodic maintenance - what maintenance?). The fans look like the have been there, untouched, since 1945.

Hua Lamphong train station bangkok

My recommendations: Always take a First Class train for longer distance. Always take a Ordinary Coach for short runs as the windows are open, you can see, feel and experience then country better, and you will have a chance maybe of taking some cool photos. Note: Always go to the real train station windows to book and depart to your destination and never book with private or commercial travel or ticket agencies for your train travel.

Trains - Some Thai Language Help

To ask for express train say "rote duan"
rapid train "rote raeo"
ordinary train "rote tamada"
sleeping berth "rot non"

Taxi and other - There are metered and non-metered taxis in Bangkok though the non-metered are becoming rare. Still, be sure and take a taxi with the orange licence plate. The cabbie will almost always run the meter. If he/she does not, kindly ask for the meter to be turned on to avoid problems. Tuk-tuks are an economical way to get around for small runs. Always get a price before going anywhere in a tuk-tuk and never get talked into stopping by a tailor to look at some clothing. That is, unless you really need some. Songthaews are little mini trucks that run regular routes around the cities. These are real economical and can take you far for next to nothing. Only problem is knowing where they go. If you don't speak Thai best bet is to go by the local Tourist Office and find the schedule and bus local bus map. Then it should be easy. You then just look at the numbers on the sides of the vehicles. Tuk Tuks are noisy, polluting, but interesting three wheeled vehicles. They can be a good way to take short runs around Bangkok but are more expensive. Samlors are another 3 wheeled contraption for getting around on short runs. ALWAYS be sure to get a price before leaving for your destination. Non-motorized samlors are like a rickshaw. A bicycle with 2 rear wheels and 1 front wheel. I never take any because I know I'd kill the driver. (I am 120 Kilos)