Tuk Tuks

Tuk-Tuks are three wheeled, motorized vehicles that are useful for short distances throughout Thailand. Today, they usually have a small cabin for the driver in the front and seating for two to three passengers in the rear. Tuk Tuks in Thailand being not so hot on safety laws I have regularly seen as many as 5 people in the back.

Tuk-tuks usually have a motorcycle version of a two-stroke engine.  Instead of a steering wheel, they have a handlebar. So, in a sense they are actually like three-wheeled motorcycles that carry passengers on the rear seat. When tuk-tuks were first made, they had a single-stroke engine that made a funny sound.  The tuk-tuk is actually named after the sound of its engine.

Many Tuk-tuks are powerful, and they can go even faster than taxis (especially in crowded city streets where they can weave in and out of traffic). Many drivers decorate their tuk-tuks with religious charms and small images of Buddha.

Tuk-Tuks are used all over Thailand. They are used a lot in Thailand's big cities such as Bangkok. One reason they are so useful is because they are small and help with the traffic congestion.  Tuk-tuks, like samlors, are useful for short distances.

Here are some tips to make your trip in a tuk-tuk go smoothly.  Since Tuk-tuks do not have meters like taxi cabs, it is a good idea to tell the driver where you are going and bargain for a price before you leave.  Otherwise you will be charged too much for your trip.  Another thing to know is that you should never put your feet up on the rail behind the driver's head.  That is considered very disrespectful to the driver because in Thailand and buddhist countries the feet are the lowest part and the dirtiest part similar to the disrespect shown in muslim countries by throwing shoes.

Train Fares

Train Fares are worked out by distance and quality of service - 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class. Overnight train usually have sleeper carriages and a first class cabin is normally for 2 people ( but could squash a couple of small children as well ) 3rd class is really "slumming it" although better than sitting on the roof on a train in India in my experience (except it is cooler on the roof)

Thailand Rail Network

The overground Rail network in Thailand cannot be compared with countries like America or Japan. The rail system is old, slow and uncomfortable and we really only recommend it for the experience or for some of the breathtaking views that you wouldn't see in other forms of overground transport.

Train travel in Thailand is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. Overall, the railway network is very functional. Train travel in Thailand is very cheap and the cars are comfortable. If vacation time in Thailand is limited, I recommend you book a domestic flight in Thailand. However, if you have the time, train travel in Thailand is an excellent way to see the Thai countryside and get a taste of Thai culture that you are unlikely to experience anywhere else. Just remember, Thailand trains are slow, but that makes it possible to take fabulous pictures even when the train is moving.

The Thai rail network (see map on right) extends all over the country, with lines to Chiang Mai in the north, Nong Khai and Ubon in the northeast, Aranya Prathet in the east, Kanchanaburi in the west and two lines to Malaysia in the south.

Overnight Trains

The State Railway of Thailand operates three classes of cars on most overnight trains. First class cars provide individual cabins for two persons. The cabins are small, but the beds (upper and lower bunks) are wide enough to accomodate a small child as well as an adult. All first class cabins are air conditioned

While first class cabins provide more privacy, I recommend you travel in second class train cars. The ride in second class is just as comfortable as first class and costs much less. There are several levels for second class seating on the Thai trains. Some second class cars have seats which can be converted into bunks for sleeping. You also have the option of selecting airconditoned or fan cars. personally I recommend the airconditioned cars during the hotter seasons. The lower bunks on the newer model cars are very wide, while the upper bunks are a bit constrictive.

Third class seating on the Thai trains may be the cheapest form of travel in Thailand. However, most of the seats are wooden benches and are first come first serve. You are not guaranteed a seat when you purchase a third class ticket. Third class may be okay for very short day trips, but I do not recommend traveling by third class for overnight travel.

Daytime Trains

The daytime trains have only second and third class seating. The most popular daytime train for tourists is the express railcar. The train may consist of up to four self-propelled diesel cars. The train has limited stops and has the shortest travel time of other trains in Thailand. Since fewer stops are made, each car has its own steward who serves a small meal. The meal is included in the cost of the ticket.

BTS & MRT

The fastest way to get around Bangkok without breathing the fumes of the Tuk Tuks, Taxi's and buses populating the streets below is by using the BTS Sky train. Refreshingly air-conditioned the sky train's run about every 5 minutes between about 5am and 12 midnight 7 days a week. Recently extended the sukhumvit line now terminates nearer Samut Prakarn at Bearing station (opened on mothers day 12th August 2011) MRT (underground) is a beautifully clean and modern single line tube train running between Bang Sue and Hua Lampong terminating a short walk from the main overground rail terminal.

The sky train operates within the main shopping and commercial areas of central Bangkok. Often getting you near to your final destination, but still requiring a motorcycle taxi or taxi to reach it. ( you can walk the final bit....but with the scotching temperatures during the summer season just getting to the station exits can tire you out ! )

 BTS OPERATION

6:00 - 24:00, every 3 - 6 minutes, rush hours (7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00) every 2 minutes.

  FARES

Single fare between 10 and 40 baht depending on distance

Cash cards are available for 100 or 300 baht

We recommend you buy a top up train ticket ( Cash card ) if you intend to use the Sky Train ( thai - rot fai far ) regularly or as a frequent or long staying visitor to the Kingdom. A similar system operates with the underground (thai - rot fai far dai din) you can top up the card and so make your visits to the sattions faster and without the long ticket office queues if you need change. If you don't want to buy a card and want a single one way ticket we advise you to keep some change in your pocket as the queues at ticket offices can be long at peak times.

Mass Transit Map updated august 2011

AIRPORT LINK

Metro                                       BTS Sukhumvit                        BTS Silom

1 Hualamphong                        N8 Mo Chit

2 Sam Yan                                N7 Saphan Khwai

3 Si Lom                                   N6

4 Lumphini                               N5 Ari

5 Khlong Toei                          N4 Sanam Pao 

6 Queen Sirikit NCC                 N3 Victory Monument

7 Sukhumvit                           N2 Phaya Thai

8 Phetchaburi                         N1 Ratchathewi                   W1 National Stadium

9 Phra Ram 9                          CEN Siam                               CEN Siam

10 Thai Cultural Center           E1 Chit Lom                          S1 Ratchadamri

11 Huai Khwang                     E2 Phloen Chit                      S2 Sala Daeng

12 Sutthisan                          E3 Nana                                  S3 Chong Nonsi

13 Ratchadaphisek                 E4 Asok                                 S4

14 Lat Phrao                          E5 Phrom Phong                  S5 Surasak

15 Phahon Yothin                  E6 Thong Lo                          S6 Saphan Taksin

16 Chatuchak Park                 E7 Ekamai

17 Kamphaeng Phet               E8 Phra Khanong

18 Bang Sue                           E9 On Nut

Airlines that travel to Thailand

Officially opened on the 28th September 2006 to replace the aging Don Muang airport, Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi international airport is actually in the nearby Samut Prakan province about 25km to the east of Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi was named by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and means "the golden land" in Thai, although it's English spelling is certain to lead to mispronunciations by visitors as it's actually pronounced like 'su-wan-na-poom'. Though Don Muang airport had three terminals, Suvarnabhumi has only one (very large) one that handles all international and domestic flights. At a size of 563,000sq m, Suvarnabhumi's terminal building is the second largest in the world. Please click on the picture ( left ) or the links to check ARRIVALS or DEPARTURES from or to BKK

LONG HAUL CARRIERS - Click logo to go to airlines website

SHORT HAUL AIRLINES