Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, Thai Airways International (TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) serve all major cities in the country. Bangkok Airways (PG) flies from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Thai Lion Air (SL), Nok Air (DD) and Thai AirAsia (FD) all offer cheap domestic flights to a variety of Thai cities from Bangkok.
airpasses
The Discovery Airpass is offered by Bangkok Airways (PG) and Lao Airlines (QV) on their domestic flights. Flight coupons (minimum 3, maximum 16) can be purchased from any IATA travel agency. Bangkok Airways (PG), Lao Airlines (QV) and travel agencies provide detailed information.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network in Thailand is well developed with numerous expressways. Gas stations: Credit cards are only accepted at large gas stations, otherwise you have to pay in cash. Petrol stations are open 24 hours a day on main roads. Tolls: Thai highways are subject to tolls. The fee is paid either in cash or by purchasing a slightly cheaper sticker (Expressway Tag) to be attached to the windscreen. With this sticker, special lanes can be used at the toll stations. The toll for the Autobahn 7 and 9 can also be paid with the so-called “M-Pass”.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Road classification
There are five different categories of roads: trok (narrow lanes without turnings), soi (wider roads for cars to drive on), thanon (main connecting roads), dual carriageways and motorways (Motorway 7 – eastbound from Bangkok, Motorway 9 – Bangkok’s ring road).
Car rental
There are rental car companies in all major cities. Renters of rental vehicles must have the following documents: international driver’s license, home country driver’s license and passport.
Taxi
Taxis operate day and night anywhere in Thailand. There are metered and non-metered taxis, motorcycle taxis and the three-wheeled tuk-tuks (motor rickshaws). It is advisable to negotiate the fare before starting the journey. Since most taxi drivers hardly speak English, a note with the name of the hotel or destination in Thai can be helpful. Tipping is not expected.
Coach
Long-distance buses run between all cities and to all parts of the country. The state bus company is called Bor Kor Sor (BKS). It’s cheap and reliable. In the more comfortable buses of private companies, the prices are slightly higher. Tickets are available at the bus station or from travel agencies, which often automatically sell the more expensive tickets from private providers.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: The driver of a rental car must be at least 21 years old and have held a driver’s license for at least one year. Drivers under the age of 25 pay a young driver fee. Speed limit: – Within built-up areas: 60 km/h; – country roads: 90 km/h; – Motorways: 120 km/h. Using the phone while driving is prohibited. Alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰. Alcohol may only be transported in the trunk of vehicles and may never be consumed in the car.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, for illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. The Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT), tel. +66 (2) 939 57 70 the Thai ADAC partner club.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license must be carried in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of November 8, 1986. Alternatively, a conversion of the domestic driver’s license into a Thai driver’s license can be applied for at the Department of Land Transport. Travelers staying in Thailand for more than three months require a Thai driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
When it comes to public transportation in Bangkok, travelers have a choice of subways, water taxis, taxis and the Skytrain, an elevated train that is ideal for sightseeing as it travels over the urban canyons of the main thoroughfares. Subway and Skytrain are operated by different companies; Tickets are only valid for the respective system. There are also many private bus and minibus companies. Fares are higher on air-conditioned buses and express buses, i. In general, however, they are still inexpensive. You pay at the conductor. In city buses, the back seats should be kept free for the Buddhist monks. It is a good idea to purchase a map of the bus network upon arrival in Bangkok.
Locally on the way by train
The rail network connects all major cities except Phuket. The national railway company is the State Railway of Thailand. Train tickets are available at the station counter or online at Thairailwayticket. The four main routes run from Bangkok north to Chiang Mai and the eastern, southern and western regions of the country; there is also a railway line between Thonburi (Bangkok) and Nam Tok via the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. Several trains run daily on all routes, e.g. T. they have dining and sleeping cars and have air conditioning. The trains run very slowly and are very cheap. The Southern Line Express stops at Surat Thani, from where passengers can continue by bus and ferry to the island of Koh Samui. Some timetables are also available in English.
rail passes
The Thailand Rail Pass from Thai Railways offers unlimited 2nd or 3rd class rail travel throughout Thailand for 20 consecutive days. Since the fares are very cheap anyway, the Thailand Rail Pass only offers a price saving from daily stages of an average of 110 km. Upgrades are available for 1st class and express trains. More information at Thai Railways.
Traveling by ship
There are about 1000 miles of navigable waterways seasonally and numerous water taxis. A ferry operated by the Royal Passenger Liner Co. connects Pattaya with Hua Hin (journey time: 2 hours). Ferry services are limited during the monsoon season, particularly May to October along the East Coast and Andaman Coast and November to January on the Gulf Coast. The best way to see the sights along the Chao Phraya River, which also flows through Bangkok, is by Chao Phraya tourist boat.
