TRANSPORT IN THE PROVINCES
Air
Tour In Thailand in Thailand
The national carrier, Thai Airways, operates scheduled services to all the main centers, ~nd a few private airlines are now springing up, such as Bangkok Air. If you are in a hurry to get around this must be your transport of choice.
Train
This is a good, and safe, way to see the country. Train services run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Nongkai, and Ubon in the northeast, Aranya Prathet in the east, Pattaya to the southeast, Kanchanaburi in the west, and via Haadyai in the south to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. There are three classes of travel, and there are overnight trains with sleepers (bookable in advance) on some long- distance routes. Supplements are payable for certain trains, sleepers, and air-conditioning. Charges are listed on the Thai Railways Web site (railway.co.th). Most of the Thai railway system is single- track and the trains tend to amble-no Iapanese-style bullet trains here! But it looks as if that is all set to change. As this book goes to press the state-owned company is inviting bids for a high-speed railway line of standard gauge-as opposed to the present meter gauge. In ten years' time perhaps one will no longer be able to categorize Thai trains as "slow, slower, and slowest." Diesel railcars, which tend to be third-class only and with limited legroom, can be faster than the so-called express trains.
Bus
This is the cheapest way to get about, but some of the bus drivers tend to be erratic. The state BKS bus company (known as "Baw Kaw Saw") runs long-distance orange buses to all parts of the country from the three bus stations in Bangkok. Air-conditioned long-distance buses run to some towns, and local tour companies run bus services to resorts that can pick you up at your hotel. Both of these options are more expensive. For really long distances, such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai, bus travel is not to be recommended; train and air travel are more comfortable.
In each province local bus companies ply short -distance routes. If you are on the large side you may have trouble fitting into the seats. Thai bus drivers (like truck drivers) are a law unto themselves and drive fast and with little regard for other users of the road. In the event of an accident, it is not unknown for the driver to flee the scene.
Taxis
In provincial towns you will find taxis to hire, but in the smaller towns pedicabs and motorized trishaws (samlors) are often a better bet, but you need to negotiate the fare in advance. Out of town you may find shared taxis (sengteo) a convenient way of getting around. These are usually small pickup trucks with seats in the back that ply regular routes and are fairly frequent. Fares are cheap and there is no need to haggle.
Driving Yourself
This is a good way of getting around as Thailand has an excellent network of well-maintained main roads, some of them expressways, and traffic jams are rare in the provinces. If renting a car, make sure the rental charge includes insurance, since Thai driving is erratic and many drivers seem to be oblivious to other traffic on the road. Gasoline is only lightly taxed and therefore remarkably cheap by European standards. If you are involved in an accident, it is advisable to drive straight to the nearest police station rather than become involved in a discussion. At beach resorts motorcycle and bicycle rentals are available.
Water Transport Long-tailed boats (motorized) operate along the extensive canal network of the central plain and the rivers. It is sensible to avoid traveling during public holidays, especially the Songkhran festival in April, when public transport is overstretched and the nation's roads are jam-packed. The road accident statistics soar at Songkhran.
Getting About in the Provinces of ThailandProduct List for Getting About in the Provinces of Thailand
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