Thailand Transports

Bangkok’s new airport, Suvarnabhumi (“Soo-wan-na-boom”) is located 30km east of downtown Bangkok. It is approximately a 45 to 60 minute drive from downtown Bangkok, depending on traffic.Suvarnabhumi now handles all international and domestic flights to and from Bangkok.
Suvarnabhumi has inherited the old airport,Don Muang's "BKK" international airport code and Don Muang will be recoded as "DBK".

The airport, which can service up to 45 million passengers per year is a hub for a number of international carriers, including Thai Airways, Orient Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai AirAsia, as well as  major connecting city for Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates Airline, EVA Air, Indian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Visit this website for further information about: Suvarnabhumi International Airport

The most convenient hotel near Suvarnabhumi for travellers needing to be near the airport is the Novotel Suvarnabhumi,is located immediately in front of the airport terminal. Other hotels within five to ten minutes drive from the airport are Novotel Bangna. Within the airport terminal itself are day-use rooms by Miracle Grand.These fully-equipped hotel rooms can be rented for six hours, serving as a resting place for travellers with long layovers.

Airplane

Domestic flight services are now operated by five domestic carriers,which are,Thai Airways International(or THAI),Bangkok Airways,Air Asia,Orient Thai Airlines (One-Two-Go),Nok Air,and SGA Airlines.Of all the domestic airlines,Thai Airways International (TG) is the biggest.

Thailand has six major international airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai, and 23 domestic airports for commercial flights in major cities around the country. They are Buriram, Hua Hin (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Si thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Pai , Phitsanulok, Ranong, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Samui, Surat Thani, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani, and U-Taphao (Rayong).

Visit this website for further information about: Thai Airways International (TG)

	Non-air-conditioned buses operated by the government which are the cheapest and slowest. These orange-coloured buses stop in every little town and pick up passengers at any point along the route.
	Air-conditioned buses painted in blue. This type, run by both the government and private companies, is faster and more comfortable. Yet the number of routes of air-con buses are less than those of the ordinary buses as they go to major cities only. Normally, there are two classes of air-con buses -- regular and 1st class; the latter have toilets.
	For long routes like those going to Chiang Mai, Surat Thani and Phuket, there is another type called "VIP" or "sleeper" buses which have only 30 to 34 seats providing more leg room for each passenger. Generally, private companies offer more daily trips than the government's, though their fares are somewhat higher.

	Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal
	Located on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, a little way from Chatuchak Market.
	For information	Call 0 2936 2852 to 66, 0 2936 2841 to 48
	Reached by Buses	3, 26, 29, 34, 39, 49, 59, 77, 96, 122, 134, 136, 138, 145, 157, 159, 170, 509, 510, 512, 517
	For Taxi	Mor Chit Station
	Eastern Bus Terminal
	Located on Sukhumwit Road at Soi 40 opposite Soi 63 (Ekkamai).
	For information	Call 0 2391 6846
	Reached by Buses	2, 23, 25, 38, 40, 48, 98, 501, 511, 513
	BTS Skytrain	Ekkamai Station
	For Taxi	Ekkamai Station
	Southern Bus Terminal
	Located on Borommarat Chonnani Road, about 7 km. from Pin Klao Bridge. Besides the southern buses, the buses going to western provinces like Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi also depart from here.
	For information	Call 0 2894 6122
	Reached by Buses	28, 30, 40, 57, 66, 123, 124, 125, 127, 146, 149, 159, 201, 170, 174, 177, 183, 507, 511, 515, 516, 539
	For Taxi	Southern Station

There are also buses running between major destinations within the region, e.g. Surat Thani to Hat Yai in the South and Sukhothai to Chiang Mai in the North.
For provincial bus terminals,call 1490

Visit this website for further information about: Transport in Thailand

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Train

The State Railway of Thailand offers train services throughout the country at very reasonable fares. Most long-distance trains start off from Bangkok's Hualamphong Station on Rama IV Road. The four main rail lines, covering over 4,000 km., are the northern, northeastern, eastern and southern routes. Note that the trains to the northern and northeastern routes pass Don Muang airport station, so you can catch a train here if you go to any province along either route to avoid heavy traffic in town in rush hours.

There are four types of trains -- ordinary, rapid, express and special express, and three classes of cars -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
For a long distance trip, the fare for the 2nd class is about the same as a private tour bus, but some say that the train is more comfortable, especially on overnight trips. However, travelling by train take a bit longer than by bus.

	First class (chan neung) 2-berth sleeping compartments with individually regulated air conditioning are available on some trains, but prices are sometimes matched by budget airfares.
	Second class (chan song) is a good compromise, costing about the same as 1st class buses and with a comparable level of comfort. Some 2nd class trains are air-con, others aren't; air-con costs a little more. Second class sleeper berths are comfortable and good value, with the narrower upper bunks costing a little less than the wider lower bunks. Food and WCs are basic. 2nd class Express Railcar trains have reclining seats and refreshments are included in the fare; unlike all other Thai passenger trains, they can match buses for speed, but cannot carry bicycles.
	Third class (chan saam) is the cheapest way to travel in Thailand, with virtually nominal fares, and can be great fun. Sometimes packed with tuk-tuk drivers heading home with a sack of rice and a bottle of cheap whisky for company, as a farang (foreigner) you're guaranteed to be the center of attention - quite enjoyable in small doses, but 10 hours of this might be a bit much. Some 3rd class trains have wooden seats, others are upholstered; some services can be pre-booked, others cannot; refreshments are available from hawkers who roam the aisles.

Pre-booking is recommended, especially for sleeper berths. Tickets on all main lines can be purchased online at SRT's official E-Stars site however, only a quota of 10% of seats can be sold online, so it will often show trains as full when, in reality, there's still plenty of space (Tip: if you get an error during registration - just remove any special characters from your registration data; you can always edit your profile later). Alternatively, many travel agencies can book tickets for a service fee (50-200 baht/ticket), or you can reserve with SRT directly by e-mail at passenger-ser@railway.co.th for a 200 baht/booking surcharge.

For details, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2220 4444 (RSVN),
0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701

Visit this website for further information about: State Railway of Thailand

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Rental car

Car, Jeep & Van
Cars, jeeps and vans can be rented in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and other tourist cities. The rental costs for cars and jeeps are from around 2,000 to 3,000 baht per day and vans from 2,500 to 3,500 baht. Typically, international rental companies charge a bit more than local companies, yet they offer a larger choice. A car can also be rented at travel agencies, many of which have branch offices in large- and medium-sized hotels. It is advisable to check whether a car is insured for liability before signing a rental contract.

Motorcycle
Like cars, motorcycles can be rented in tourist cities, except Bangkok as it is not convenient to use motorcycle here.
It has recently become a popular way to travel around Thailand by motorcycle, especially in the North. Rentals vary considerably from city to city. In major tourist spots like Chiang Mai and Phuket where there is an abundance of motorcycle rental shops, the costs are certainly much lower.

Anyway, whether you rent a motorcycle from a big rental company or a small shop, it is advisable to check the machine over thoroughly before you take it out. Before renting, make sure that an insurance is provided, though with an extra charge. And please note that both rider and passenger on a motor bike must wear a helmet.

Important!
1. Thai drives on the left-hand side of the road.
2. Foreigners who wish to drive motor vehicles in Thailand need a valid International Driving License.
3. Driving license and passport must be carried at all times when driving.

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Local Transports

	Bus Most big provinces have public non-air-con bus and air-con bus services to destinations within the provinces and to other nearby provinces.
	Taxi Many tourist cities have taxi services, but most of them are non-metered. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the fare before departure. Some big cities also have share-taxi services for popular routes.Metered taxis are ubiquitous in Bangkok and starting to become more popular in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, but rare elsewhere in the country. When available, they are an excellent means of transport - insist on the meter. Beware of taxis which idle around touristy areas and wait for people. They are looking for a tourist who will take their taxi without using a meter. Always use the meter!
	Samlo A samlo is a three-wheeled taxi which comes in two types -- motorised and nonmotorised. Motorised samlos or Tuk-Tuk can be found throughout the country while nonmotorised ones (or tricycle or rickshaws) are available in certain provincial towns. Both types of samlos are suitable for short trips only. The name tuk-tuk is used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built (eg the ubiquitous Bangkok tuk-tuk), others are partially based on motorcycle components (primarily engines, steering, front suspension, fuel tank, drivers seat). A relatively recent development is the four wheeled tuk-tuk (basically a microvan-songthaew) as found in Phuket.
	Songthaeo Literally meaning two rows, this is a small pickup truck with two benches, each at one side of the truck seating several people. It is a public transport which operates fixed routes like buses, but normally runs a shorter distance or within the province. Songthaeo can also be chartered like a regular taxi. A songthaew is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side — hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards. Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses (generally the most economical way to travel shorter distances) and also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price of the ride before embarking.