Visitors with international driving licenses may wish to explore the country on their own. There are many car rental companies, including Hertz and Avis, located in major tourist destinations throughout the country. Travelling by train is another delightful way to explore the country. The State Railway of Thailand provides a nationwide network of routes. Trains offer first, second and third class options, including air-conditioned first- and second-class sleeping coaches. For getting around Bangkok, there are public taxis and tuk-tuks, air-conditioned buses, motorbike taxis and a skytrain system serving key central areas and newly operational subway system. River ferries and water taxis complete the options for daily commuting within Bangkok and its suburbs.
Getting around the Kingdom of Thailand is easy, economical and convenient. Apart from domestic services of Thai Airways International which flies to major destinations, the country also has a large network of highways and smaller roads linking the main cities with outlying areas.
 The following airlines fly daily to Thailand from Australia. Click below to visit their web site:
 Thai Airways International (TG), Bangkok Airways (PG), PB Air and Phuket Airlines operate regular domestic flights from Bangkok to major provincial and resort destinations. Advance booking is necessary when travelling during the high season and during public holidays any time. Thai Airways International (TG)
Bangkok Airways (PG) PB Air (9Q) Phuket Airlines (9R) The State Railway of Thailand operates four train
lines — Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Southern — accessing
every province except Phuket. Trains are classified into
Special Express (the fastest), Express, Rapid, and Ordinary. The State Railway of Thailand Hua Lamphong station With one of the best roads systems in Southeast Asia, Thailand is quickly gaining a reputation as an outstanding fly-drive destination. The possibilities for this is increasingly popular activity are almost endless, with modern highways connecting all major Thai cities and generally well-maintained secondary roads reaching into the remotest corners of a country the size of France or Spain. Visitors who enjoy being independently mobile can thus explore some of the most beautiful but little known areas of the kingdom. And since there are plenty of car rental firms, including all the recognised international companies, it is easy, safe and convenient to hire a modern vehicle, usually with the option of a driver in the case of people who would rather leave the actual driving to someone else. Daily hire rates are reasonable and most rental companies allow customers to collect the car in one destination and leave it elsewhere. Thailand is well suited for driving holidays. With the exception of central Bangkok and occasionally Chiang Mai, both of which can suffer from congestion, the roads here see little traffic. Driving is on the left and highway signs follow the international system. Laws forbid speeding and drinking while in charge of a vehicle, so it is reasonably safe for the experienced driver. Insurance is compulsory and any suggestions that it is not needed should be instantly dismissed. Wherever you venture in Thailand, a hotel or guesthouse will never be far away. Because of the tropical heat and lack of campsites offering proper overnight facilities, camper vans are not available. That’s not a problem as every town in Thailand has its central hotel, which will invariably feature as a minimum a choice of air-conditioned rooms, restaurant or coffee shop and modern communications like fax and e-mail. Room rates in upcountry hotels rarely breach the 1,500 baht a night barrier, while dining is always excellent value. All kinds of accurate Thailand road maps are available nowadays and although the English spelling of some towns and villages may vary from publication to publication, it is not difficult to decipher them. The country is frequently divided into six distinct areas:
Each of these regions has its own character, geography and cultural idiosyncrasies, ensuring that there’s always much for visitors to discover and enjoy, wherever in Thailand they happen to be. And that’s the beauty of getting to know the country on four wheels - you can see and learn so much in one holiday. Buses and coaches are the only mode of transport to access all provinces in Thailand, running both to and from Bangkok and between each other. Options include ordinary air-conditioned coaches and VIP air-conditioned coaches with refreshment services. For timetables, routes and prices, visit the following: http://www.transport.co.th/Eng/HomeEnglish.php http://www.nca.co.th/web/thai/ http://www.bmta.co.th/ (For Bangkok Only) Bookings can be made through travel agents, major hotels or at the following bus terminals:
A variety of public bus services connect all parts of Bangkok. Prices vary according to air-conditioning and age but all are exceptionally economical. Regular services run from 5am to 11pm, while all-night services run from 11pm to 5am. BTS operates air-conditioned skytrains along two inter-connecting lines --Sukhumvit and Silom — daily from 6 am till midnight. The Sukhumvit line runs between Moh Chit station, Phaholyothin Road (near Chatuchak market), and On Nut station, Sukhumvit Soi 77. The Silom line runs between Saphan Taksin station, near the Chao Phraya River on Sathon Road, and National Stadium station on Rama Road. The two lines are connected at Central Station (Siam Square) which has two platform levels for changing. All stations are accessed by stairs and some by escalators and lifts. Trains run every few minutes and the fares range from 10-45 baht, depending on number of stations travelled. Monthly and Stored-Value (multi-trip) tickets are also available for the regular traveller. Comprehensive maps are available at all stations free of charge. A BTS feeder system provides shuttle bus services to major stations. Check with a station or the BTS for current availability. The first phase of Bangkok subway system is set to be in operation mid-2004. Once in operation, the new subway system will intermesh with the elevated Skytrain system, forming a loop that will make discovering Bangkok a matter of just buying a ticket. The subway comprises three lines —Blue, Orange and Purple. Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co Ltd
BMCL Subway Another fast and convenient way to travel in Bangkok is by boat. A river ferry service operates along the Chao Phraya River between Krung Thep Bridge and Nonthaburi. Fares are fixed according to distance, ranging from 6 to 10 baht. The boats make frequent stops and run about every 20 minutes. The trip from The Oriental Hotel to Nonthaburi takes about one hour. Services operate daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
Taxis and tuk-tuks (open sided three-wheel mini taxis) can be hailed anywhere in Bangkok. Only use taxis with a rooftop Taxi Meter sign, and ensure that the meter is switched on before you start. Every journey starts with a set price of 35 baht, plus additional fare depending on distance and duration. Tuk-tuks are most useful on shorter trips during off-peak hours and are generally cheaper than taxis. Always bargain the price in advance. Motorbike taxis are good for weaving through heavy traffic. Drivers are obliged to provide crash helmets for passengers and it is against the law to ride without one.
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