How to Get to Thailand

By Air
Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport because it is directly connected to Europe, Asia, North America and Australia by daily flights aboard the world's major airlines.Further international flights, mainly from Singapore, Malaysia and Hon, Kong, land at Phuket and Hat Yai International Airports in the south and Chiang Mai in the North.

By Rail
A regular rail service links Singapore and Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth in Malaysia. This service leaves daily and also connect, with many major southern Thai towns.

By Road
From Malaysia: It is possible to enter Thailand through a number of crossings in Songkhla, Yala. and Narathiwat provinces.
From Lao P.D.R.: it is possible to enter Thailand through Nong Khai, Chiang Saen, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Chong Mek
From Cambodia: it is possible to enter Thailand through Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province and Ko Kong in Trat province.
From Myanmar: or you can enter Thailand through Mae Sai and Mae Sot.

By Sea
There are no regular steamship connections to Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Khlong Toei Port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities.
Cruise Ships call at Laem Chabang Port (roughly 2 hours south of Bangkok) from Vietnam and Singapore. Contact a travel agent for details.

Suva abhumi Airport
The country's latest international airport. It's able to service 76 flights an hour, and up to 45 million passengers as well as three million tons of goods annually. Suvarnabhumi Airport is positioned to become the future aviation hub of Southeast Asia. Tel 66 2132 1888 or www.airportthai.co.th

Travel within Thailand

By Air: Flying in Thailand is both inexpensive and convenient. Several air carriers such as Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, PB Air, Phuket Air, and Angel Air fly throughout Thailand to international and domestic airports in 26 cities throughout Thailand. Reservations ma, be secured through airline offices, hotels or travel agencies from overseas or upon arrival in Thailand. A number of low-cost, no-frills airlines also provide inexpensive flights within Thailand such as Air Asia, Orient Thai Airlines, and Nok Air.
Thai Airways organises Royal Orchid Holiday Tour packages. Further details may be obtained on Thai's website: www. thaiairways.com

By Rail: Rail journeys in Thailand are efficient, inexpensive and comfortable by Asian standards. An extensive rail network serves Thailand using Bangkok as its hub. Three lines connect Chiang Mai Northern line), Nong Khai (Northeastern line), and Singapore via Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (Southern line). Recently, the rail line between Bangkok and Aranyaprathet on the Cambodian border was opened. Domestic express trains comprise first, second, and third class carriages. Slower trains used on shorter journeys may only have third-class seating.
The State Railway of Thailand organises one and two-day economy tours to various destinations on weekends and holidays. Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok's main railway station at Hualamphong. Train tickets for all classes can be purchased 90 days in advance at principle stations and at the Advance Booking Office at Hualamphong from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tel. 66 2220 4444 and www.railway.co.th or www.thailandraiway.com

By Road: A modern highway system stretches to all points of the country. Domestic air-conditioned buses are one of the most frequently used modes of transportation. Inexpensive and reliable, buses frequently leave or stop at all major centres. There are three major bus terminals in Bangkok:
Bangkok Bus Terminal on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. Tel. 66 2936 285266, Southern Bus Terminal at Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisi Road Tel. 66 2435 1199, 66 2435 1199, and Eastern Bus Terminal at Sukhumvit Soi 62 Tel. 66 2391 2504

Travel Inside Bangkok

Public Transportation: Public buses and air-conditioned buses are plentiful and inexpensive within metropolitan Bangkok. The red and grey air-conditioned microbuses are for longer urban journeys. A bus route map can be obtained from most hotels and bookshops.

Taxis and Tuk Tuks: Hotel taxis have fixed fares. Public taxis are air-conditioned, comfortable and have starting fares of 35 Baht for the first 3 kilometres and approximately 5 Baht for every additional kilometre. Be sure the driver resets the metre every time you enter the vehicle. Tuk Tuks, three-wheeled taxis, are a symbol of Thailand. They are popular for short journeys and can cost anywhere from 20 Baht to 150 Baht, depending where one chooses to go. Important: Fares must be bargained for before the journey is undertaken as there is no metre.

Motorcycle Taxis: The fastest way to plod through the traffic congestion of Thailand's major cities is by motorcycle taxi. Look for the driver with the coloured vest. Fares are negotiated before departure. Hold on tight.

River Taxis: There are many types of boats that navigate the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Private "cigarette long - tail boats" are fast and available for tours of the city's huge canal system. A 2-hour private tour runs about 500 Baht. Public river taxis run from dawn till dusk fron Khlong Toei to as far north as Nonthaburi. The journey takes over an hour. Smaller trips between other landings can cost as little as 9 Baht.

Air Taxis: A special package tour which allows tourists to experience a beautiful view around Bangkok and the provinces nearby. For more information please call 66 2504 3839-40 or www.royalsky.co.th

Skytrain: There are two lines in operation : the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line. BTS Skytrains run daily from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. with frequent service throughout the day, particularly during rush hours. The fare is based on the distance traveled. For more information, please visit BTS Skytrain website : www.bts.co.th

Subway: The MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line has 18 stations and operates from 6.00 a.m. throughout 12.00 p.m., and connects many of the top tourist attractions with the accommodation areas, and the business district. The fare is based on the distance traveled. For more information, please visit MRT website : www.mrta.co.th