Tuk-Tuk and other Hat Yai, Thailand Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: As is the case elsewhere in Thailand, Tuk-Tuks can be a convenient way of getting around.
Watch out with some drivers though. Tuk-Tuks are an essential part of Thai life and without them a lot of Thais would not be able to get around as they need to. Unfortunately some drivers try to take advantage of foreigners and if you don't agree a price before the journey they will try to charge you a ridiculous amount when you reach your destination. Therefore make sure you know the fare before you get on board. This kind of thing just doesn't happen with Thais.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The majority of Thai families do not own cars but get around on motorbikes instead. Compared to many, the vehicle in the photo represents real luxury as it has a sidecar attached.
I was concerned to see this woman using a mobile phone without a hands-free set though. Surely it would be possible to incorporate such a device into the bike's onboard stereo and entertainment system?

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Motorbike Taxi is one option of getting around, and probably the quickest. However, ride at your own risk. The motorbike taxi drivers can be identified by the coloured vests they wear.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Don't worry - there isn't one ... yet.

Do you remember watching one of those futuristic films from the 1930's showing how life will be in 1985? Personal planes fly through the skyscrapers and monorail systems ferry people around the metropolis. Well, it seems that certain people still have this notion that monorail systems are key to futuristic cities and that every city worth its salt should have one. There is a great Simpsons episode where some slick snake-oil salesman tries to sell the poor citizens of Springfield such a system only to be saved my Marge's common sense. Kuala Lumpur fell for this scam and now some idiot is touting for Hat Yai to have one. Has the world gone mad?

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: This is not a Getting Around or a Getting To, but a Getting Away From tip.

At various points around Hat Yai are minivans to other towns and cities. These are cheap but you need to know where to find the right ones to get where you want to go to. The ones to Trang leave from the Suphasarnrangsan Road, quite near to the Singapore Hotel.

The fare is 78 Baht. Journey time is around 2 hours with minivans leaving every 30 minutes or so. The last one leaves at around 6pm.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: I haven't actually used the train to get to, or from, Hat Yai but the city is well connected by rail to Bangkok and Butterworth in Malaysia. The train schedule to various destinations is posted clearly (in English) in the station.

Beware of touts around the station. Unscrupulous Tuk-Tuk drivers feed on fresh, newly-arrived farangs and this is a favourite feeding ground. One kind Tuk-Tuk driver offered me a ride to Songkhla (which would be extremely uncomfortable in a Tuk-Tuk) for just 700 Baht. He seemed slightly taken aback when I laughed even though I tried to explain why I was laughing. I tried to tell him that I could get there in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus for 21 Baht like the locals do. Well, I guess as long as there are stupid farangs around there will always be scam artists around preying on them.

The route between Malaysia and Thailand is as follows:

Butterworth, Sungaikolok, Yala, Pattani, Hat Yai, Phattalung, Thungsong, Surat Thani, Chumpon, Pa Chuap, Hua Hin, Cha Am, Petchaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhornpathom, Bangkok.

Here are details from a timetable I picked up but CHECK LOCALLY fist before making plans.

To Bangkok the trains leave Hat Yai at 14:19 (05:15), 16:02 (10:45), 16:45 (11:10), 17:47 (11:40), 18:45 (12:10) - arrival times in brackets.

To Butterworth the train leaves Hat Yai at 07:40 and arrives at 12:55.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: If you decide to rent or buy a motorbike to get around make sure you know how to keep dry in the rain.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Here are details from a timetable I picked up but please check with Thai Airways for up to date information before you travel.

Hat Yai to Bangkok

TG 236 06:30 - 08:00
TG 232 09:15 - 10:45
TG 234 15:30 - 17:00
TG 408 18:05 - 19:35
TG 246 21:00 - 22:30

Bangkok to Hat Yai

TG 231 07:00 - 08:30
TG 407 10:50 - 12:20
TG 233 13:15 - 14:45
TG 235 16:45 - 18:15
TG 245 18:45 - 20:15

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Here are details from a timetable I picked up but please check with Thai Airways for up to date information before you travel.

Hat Yai to Phuket

TG 284 10:50 - 11:35

Phuket to Hat Yai

TG 283 09:10 - 09:55

A taxi from Hat Yai centre to the airport should be around 200 Baht.

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