Thailand Transportation

Thailand has one of the best thailand transportation systems in the world. A well-linked network of transportation routes makes it possible to travel easily to and within Thailand.

Thailand has 3 international airports. The Don Muang International Airport north of Bangkok serves central Thailand. In the north, there is an international airport at Chiang Mai while the south has Phuket International Airport. The flag carrier of Thailand is Thai Airways, which provides international and domestic air services.

Thai Airways has a minibus service between the airport and major hotels. They depart when they are full.

Thailand has an extremely well organized overland bus system. Each corner of the country can easily be reached from Bangkok, and there are direct connections even to small towns. Aircon as well as non-aircon buses connect Bangkok and all major provincial cities.

By far the largest bus company in Thailand is the government owned Bo Ko So which specializes in long distance trips, especially those connecting with Bangkok. Connections between provincial towns are often on buses of private companies.

Bangkok 's Hua Lamphong Railway Station on Rama IV Road is the middle point for all rail travel in Thailand. From there, railway lines reach out much as a star to all four directions. When traveling from the south to the north, or the east to the west, one will not only have to pass through Hua Lamphong Station but also change trains as all trains end in Bangkok.

Travel on Thai trains is in three classes: first, second and third, though in second class, two sub-classes were created, one aircon, one non-aircon. Roughly, fares for second class aircon are about double of third class fares, and first class costs about four times as much as third class.

In Bangkok itself, a number of waterways do play their role in the transportation network. Express boats ply the Chao Phaya River up to Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok. At many sites along the Chao Phaya, small ferries cross every few minutes between the Bangkok and the Thonburi bank. Klong taxis connect points that are accessible on waterways faster than road taxis can.

Most Bangkok maps show the route of the Chao Phaya Express boats running between Bangkok's Krung Thep Bridge and Nonthaburi. Fares range between 3 and 11 Baht.