Travelling Options in Thailand


BUS TRAVEL

One of the great things about getting around Thailand is that no matter what form of transport you choose, it is always going to be reasonably priced.  Imagine trying to travel 600+ km in an air-conditioned bus back in your country for around 500 baht = about $US 15.  Well, you just couldn't do it, could you?  And before petrol prices started getting silly it was even cheaper!

The most popular form of intercity transport in Thailand is public bus and there are many different types of buses in Thailand so you need to think carefully as to which service to use.  The Government run BKS buses is arguably the best run bus service.

There are several different classes of bus from the ordinary non air-conditioned buses through to the big VIP buses.  The difference in cost between the best and worst class of bus is significant in terms of the cost, sometimes as much as ten times difference.

TRAVEL BY BOAT

If you find yourself venturing to any of Thailand's islands you may find yourself on a boat.  Good luck.  Boat travel in Thailand is cheap, but then it should be, because many of the boats are rickety old things.

On the eastern seaboard the boats that make their way across to the Ko Samet and Ko Chang are older vehicles and they tend to move at a slow pace.  Even with that in mind they often a lean to one side, or are so old and worn out that you find yourself willing the old girl to reach her destination as quickly as possible.  I also always find myself eyeballing the life jackets.

There are various boats in operation in the south, connecting the many islands down that way.  In recent years there have been a number of high profile accidents involving drunk boats man, over-crowded vessels, boats at sea in inclement conditions and a shortage of life jackets.

TRAVEL BY AIR

Thai Airways is the main domestic airline and airfares for flights within Thailand are fairly reasonably priced, the schedules are good with lots of flights to the most popular destinations and the prices are fixed - it doesn't matter when you buy the ticket, 3 months in advance or 3 hours before the flight leaves, the price will be the same.  Further, the planes are generally in good condition and you do not get anything like the horror stories you hear of some neighbouring countries where you share the cabin with farmer Joe and half the cattle from his farm!  Thai Airways flies to most parts of the country, but not quite all.

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

The trains in Thailand are good and a very pleasant way to travel if you are not in a hurry.  Generally speaking the train is slower than a bus running the comparable route.  Even the deceptively names express and sprinter services often feel like they are crawling along at a snail's pace.  Sure, you can get up and walk around etc but for the most part, when I used public transport to travel intercity I preferred the buses - that's just a personal preference.

TRAVEL BY CAR

Hiring cars or even a big bike is one way to get around Thailand.  The quality of the roads in Thailand is generally pretty good.  Where the problems start to arise is in the quality of the driving and if you spend much time watching the way the Thais drive, I hate to say it but all of the Asian driver jokes suddenly seem to have some credence.

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