Transportation Options in Thailand

Basics of Thai Transport

Thailand with its colors, sounds, and atmosphere has been known to overwhelm tourists, especially first time visitors.  Traveling within Thailand is, however, surprisingly affordable, and one has a variety of options from which to choose.  Before you start, remember the following:

• Book your mode of transport in advance
• Stay away from touts, scalpers, and unlicensed operators
• Carry your international license and passport if you plan to drive around

Traveling Within Thailand

Tourists can chose between air travel, cars, buses, trains, boats, and even elephants as preferred modes of travel.  Traveling by air is the best way to commute between destinations within the country.  There are a number of domestic airlines that link up the major cities of Thailand.  The Thai rail network ends at Chiang Mai and can be used to visit small, unexplored but beautiful towns and villages.  The connectivity is sparse, so one might end up losing days if traveling only by train.  The best way to get around northern Thailand is by private transport.  Vehicles and drivers can be hired at affordable rates.  In case you prefer to drive around, keep your passport and international license with you at all times, although keep in mind that Thais drive on the left side of the road.  Some cities of Thailand have bicycle clubs that rent out cycles.  For the adventurous (and the fit) this is a great way to see the country and imbibe the Thai spirit.  The samlor is an un-motorized three-wheeler vehicle used for local transport.  Very popular with the natives, samlor rides start at 10 Baht and rates increase with the distance.  The seelor is a converted pick-up truck with seats inside that transports people within city limits, as well as into the countryside.  Fix the price before boarding. 

Tuk-Tuks: Motorized Rickshaws

The tuk-tuk gets its name from the sound it makes and is the noisier cousin of the samlor.  They are generally used to get around in the city, but drivers are notorious for charging steep prices to unwary foreigners.  As a general rule of thumb, tuk-tuks should be cheaper than more conventional metered taxis.  Apart from these, there are local buses which ply on extensive routes along the country, but they are of limited use since hired vehicles are not just affordable, but also comfortable.