Suvarnaphumi International Airport and other Bangkok, Thailand Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Soon after ex-Premier Thaksin was overthrown in a military coup, Suvarnabhumi (pronounced "Soo-va-na-PHOOM) International Airport, a structure 20 years in the making, was finally opened to much fanfare by the new military government. Problems unfortunately soon surfaced and some of the domestic flights operated by Thai Airways and affiliate Nok Air, were forced to be re-routed back to the found-new-life old Don Muang Airport. The International airlines however, refused to budge and so they stayed on in the new airport.

The new Airport is about 1 hour away from the city via the Express Highway. Throw in about 450 Bahts for the journey and an extra 65 Bahts if you wish to go pass the Toll gates. There are public taxi stands OUTSIDE the Arrival Hall manned (or womanned) by staff, who will ask where you intend to go and then issue you a ticket which you will pass on to the driver taking you and/or your group. Look for the signs and walk out. There will be touts approaching you inside the Arrival Hall...so unless you have thick wallets....do the poor folks thing.

Since 2006, the airport tax will be collected when you purchase your plane ticket. It is no longer being collected separately.

The Departure Hall is bright, cool and pleasing....like any other modern airports everywhere in the world. It reminds me of Kong Kong International Airport in fact!

Plenty of eateries between the floors of the Arrival and Departure Halls....as well as a labyrinth of fast food (Burger King, Dairy Queen etc) near Gates E,F & G inside the Departure Hall.

The Arrival Hall however, looks severely unfinished....there must have been a surplus of concrete coinciding with a severe lack of paint! I have never seen so many naked concrete walls in an airport of this class! Reminded me of a factory in fact. A very large factory.

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Website: http://www2.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/sun/index.asp

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Once exiting the airport, do not try to book taxis INSIDE the arrival hall. Instead, walk out and join the long queue at the official taxi stand. It's much cheaper here and you are never short of taxis. It looked chaotic but the system works. It should cost you about 400-450 Bahts to get into the center of the city, and do factor in the additional toll tax of about 65 Bahts as well (circa Nov 2007) should you choose to go by the highway and escape BKK's deadly traffic jams.

Once in BKK, taxis are not exactly a bad way to get around BKK (especially to the outlying areas not reached by the Skytrain or the Subway), except during the peak hours along the major roads where you can really be boxed tight in a traffic jam. Much more comfortable and much cooler compared to the Tuk-tuks and you are not exposed to the pollution outside, well at least till you get off.

Always insist on the meter, unless you are feeling really rich or generous.

However, when night falls and you are trying to return to your lodging really late, that it could be a hardball game of bargaining with some drivers to get your fare right.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: This essentially one of the best tools to get around Bangkok effiently, comfortably and economically. The only flaw is that the BTS does not reach the main temples such as Wat Phra Kaew/Wat Pho and Wat Arun. (You will have to rely on taxis)

The network covers most other tourist sites such as Jim Thompson House (National Stadium Station), MBK Shopping Centre (National Stadium Station), Chatuchak Weekend Market (Mochit Station) and Patpong Night Market (Sala Daeng Station).

The best way is to get a one-day travel pass for unlimited travel for 100 Bahts.

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Website: http://www.bts.co.th/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: Most folks will make the river crossing to Wat Arun from Wat Phra Kaew/Wat Pho via Tha Tien Pier.

Hop onto one of the river crossing boats/ferries for just a mere 3 Bahts (circa Jul 2006) for the less than 5 minutes crossing.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: You will be likely be here if you are connecting to points outside Bangkok. The sheer mass of swirling ghostly figures is mind-boggling astounding.

The place is air-conned, but you don't really feel it when you're inside. Yet when you stepped out, you know something is amissed.

The whispering smell of fried food hung in the air, invading everyone senses sub-consciously. People hung around the departure waiting hall, invading everyone's senses consciously as they watch each other's time ticked by.

The station to its credit is spacious and bright and you can locate the ticketing stations easily. There are eateries, a cafe (Black Canyon Coffee is here) and stalls selling snacks and food, as well as bookstores and newspaper vendors. The perfunctory tour agencies are present as well. There is even a small mart and a small bakery (outside) for folks wanting to load up on groceries.

Showers are available for a price...in grimey but large washrooms. Don't look down but the floor of the men's shower room/toilet appeared permanent soaked with grime but hey good news, the taps are working.

There is also luggage storing services tucked at the far end of the station where a groaning army of bags and backpacks await the return of their owners.

There are at least 12 (or 14?) platforms, with more snack stalls on each platform to help you spend your money while you wait for your train.

Find your way to the train station by every means you can employ.
Take a taxi. Take a tuk-tuk. Take the subway. Take the bus. Walk. But no Skytrain.

This is also the terminal stop for the superiorly more luxurious Far East Oriental Express Train, originating from Singapore, having wormed it's way through the stomach of peninsula West Malaysia.

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Website: http://www.railway.co.th/httpEng/

'Mode': TO
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: First & foremost, my thanks to fellow VTer leffe3 for his posted advices.

I made my way to Ayutthaya via train from Hualamphong Train Station. I grabbed the Rapid Train, in an air-conned compartment, which cost me 245 Bts 1-way (circa Jul 2006). (There are cheaper multi-stops, no air-conned services for 20 Bts) The journey takes about 1.5 hrs and Ayutthaya was the next major stop after Bangkok (I said that because the train did make some quick stops along the way). The ticket conductor actually announced the pending arrival of the train into Ayutthaya.

The seat was comfortable but I hated that the windows were blurred out. It was so difficult trying to see the scenaries! (Note to the Thai railway authorities: travellers accept that cows are blurry; but you needn't do that for us)

The train back into Bangkok was delayed by 1 hr. Check the printed daily schedule. (WARNING: The ticket booth in Ayutthaya Train Station only sells tickets 20 mins BEFORE the arrival of train. No advanced booking here, said a very gruff station staff and sauntered off) I decided to go for Plan B since I have a standing appointment back in the city.

From Ayutthaya Train Station, I walked straight ahead for 10 mins and caught a (Pa Sak) river crossing for 3 Bts. Upon hitting the other side of the river, I more or less walked straight (you know you are on the right track when you walk past the purplish exterior of the Siam Commercial Bank) for the next 20 mins till I hit the Bangkok-bound Bus "Terminal" along Naresuan Road. Paid 50 Bts for the 1.5hrs+ journey in an air-conned coach. The bus (service 99) does pick up customers along the way, alternating between stops and express sectors.

The bus ends at the Northern and Northeastern (Mochit) Bus Terminal near Chatuchak Market. Grab a taxi here all the way back into the city.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Thailand has 3 budget airlines operating out of Bangkok. Makes it easier for you to travel within Thailand and to neighbouring countries.

The 3 budget airlines are:
NOK AIR
THAI AIR ASIA
THAI SKY AIRLINES

Thailand also has a few boutique airlines:
BANGKOK AIRWAYS (Monopoly to Koh Samui)
PHUKET AIR
ORIENT THAI
PB AIR

The National airlines of Thailand is THAI AIRWAYS.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: This is a very very busy sector with plenty of airlines offering their services.

Full service airlines flying this sector:
Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Swiss International Airlines, Finnair, Turkish Airways, Indian Airlines, Garuda Indonesia & Cathay Pacific.

Budget airlines flying this sector:
Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia & Thai Air Asia.

You are spoilt for choices so take your time and hunt for deals.

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Website: http://www.airfares.com.sg