By Air
Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia aboard the world's major airlines. Further international flights, mostly from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a less regular basis at the southern airports of Phuket and Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Charter flights from Europe and the Orient sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.

By Rail
Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns.

By Road
Overland entrance to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat.

By Sea
There are no regular steamship connections with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Viking, or Pearl of Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya.

Travel within Thailand
Domestic air, rail and road transport in Thailand is surprisingly inexpensive.

By Air
Thai Airways International, Thailand's national airline, flies to five destinations in the North, five in the Northeast, and seven in the South. Bangkok Airways (Tel: (02) 5237116, 25340'I4-6, 5352497) flies to Samui Island and Phuket. Reservations can be made through any authorized Thai Inter Travel Agent. Thai Airways International's Lan Luang Office is on 6 Lan Luang Road, Tel: 2800070,2800080. The airline also organizes 'Royal Orchid Holidays' tours to every destination it flies to.

By Rail
An efficient rail system links major northern and north-eastern towns with the capital. A southern route permits the visitor to travel by train into IV1alaysia and Singapore. Domestic express trains comprise first, second and third-class carriages. Slower trains may have only third-class seats. The State Railway of Thailand organizes one- day, two-day economy tours to various destinations on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. Other tours include trips to SuratThani (for Koh Samui), Chumphon and Chiang Mai. Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok Railway Station, Tel: 223- 7010, 223-7020.

By Road
A modern highway system reaches into all corners of the kingdom. Domestic bus services offer fast means of travel. Air-conditioned tour coaches offer more comfort. Bangkok's Northern / North-eastern Bus Terminal is on Phahonyothin Road, Tel: 2794484-7 (air-conditioned) and 2710101-5 (regular) Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal is on Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Tel: 4351190, 4351200 (air-conditioned) and 4345558 (regular). Bangkok's Eastern Bus terminal is on Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 3929227, 3919829 (air-conditioned) and 3912504, 3922521 (regular)

The Temporary Import of a Vehicle for the purpose of Tourism

• Valid International Driving License and passport or equivalent documents are required.
• Vehicle registration or, in the case of a borrowed vehicle, authorization documents from the owner are required.
• Cash guarantee or bank guarantee or self- guarantee is required. If vehicle is brought in through Bangkok or Klong Toey Port, cash guarantee or bank guarantee is essential. If entry is via land across the southern border then it is accept- able to guarantee oneself by completing the customs form, giving necessary details to the customs officer and signing the record.
• Permission is granted for a e month period from the date of entry,
• In the case of having requested to bring the vehicle in for a period of just 5-10 days and then wishing to extend the length of stay, a renewal can be granted free of charge by the Customs Department.
• Procedure:
  • Contact the customs office at the relevant border.
  • Customs officer will complete an additional incoming form and at the same time check documents as in No.2 above and also fix the self-guarantee.
  • In the case of cash or bank guarantee, the customs officer will evaluate the price of the vehicle according to its condition plus 20%

Airport Facilities
Bangkok International Airport is located some 22 kilometers north of Bangkok. The Domestic Terminal and Cargo Terminal are also located nearby.

Limousine Service
A regular coach and private limousine service for transfers between Bangkok and the airport are provided. The Limousine Service Counter is located at the Arrival Hall on the Ground Floor of the International Passenger Terminal on the Southern side. All vehicles are air-conditioned and the rates reasonable. Mini-bus (joint-seat) to any hotel in Bangkok 200 Baht per person Shuttle bus (to Asia Hotel and Viengtai Hotel) 100 Baht per person Sedan (to downtown Bangkok ) 300 Baht per trip Bus to Pattaya Beach 150 Baht per person Sedan to Pattaya Beach 1,500 Baht per trip

Taxi Service
Taxis are available for hire at the authorized Public Taxi Stand next to the Meeting Point south of the Arrival Hall in the International Passenger Terminal. Taxi drivers are only permitted to pick up passengers at these authorized stands and they are not allowed to offer their services to passengers in the terminal building. Fares are between 50-300 Baht per trip depending on destinations. Fares to various destinations are posted at the taxi stand as a guideline to foreign commuters. Passengers are strongly advised not to use the services of private car drivers who may not be insured to carry passengers and are not licensed to ply for hire. All authorized taxis carry a yellow license plate and a rooftop TAXI-METER sign. No tip is expected.

Buses
Air-conditioned and regular public buses constantly travel downtown from Don Muang Airport. Passengers wishing to take the bus can do so by walking to the Bus Stop located on Vibhavadi Rangsit Highway. Fares on regular buses cost only 3.50 Baht for any distance, while fares for air-conditioned buses range from 6 Baht for the first eight kilometers to a maximum of 16 Baht. Fares are collected onboard. Bus numbers indicate routes. Buses can be uncomfortable and crowded especially during rush hours and will therefore have very little or no room for luggage. Regular Buses from Don Muang Airport to town are buses numbers 29, 59, 95 and air-conditioned buses numbers 4, 10, 13 and 29 Passenger Service Charge (Airport Tax) A passenger service charge, to be paid at the airport check-in counter, is required of all international and domestic passengers passing through Bangkok International Airport. International passengers 200 Baht per person Domestic passengers 30 Baht per person Please note that foreign passengers whose passports have been stamped upon arrival are considered to have entered the Kingdom of Thailand. Therefore, when leaving the country they are required to pay the passenger service charge.