Means of transport Thailand

The aerial metro, which predates the MRT, has helped to relieve the city's congestion for the first time. It's a shame, however, that given the immensity of the city, its network is relatively small. There are 5 lines. The light green line runs from Mo Chit to Smut Prakarn, serving Victory Monument, Siam, Nana and Asok stations. The dark green line runs from National Stadium to Bang Wa on the opposite bank. The red line runs from Suvarnabhumi airport to Phaya Thai. New lines and extensions are constantly under construction.

Seatran provides connections to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. From Surat Thani, departures from the city (Talad Mai Road), from the airport, from the port of Donsak. Departures from Nakhon Si Thammarat airport. Departures from Nathon Pier and Bangrak Pier in Koh Samui, and Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan. Several options for the return trip. The company provides the ferry service but also combines with a bus or minivan service. The bus from the cities takes you to the port, then once on the islands a minivan drops you off at your hotel.

North of Thonburi, the station serves all the South-West of the country up to the border with Malaysia (Phuket, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Narathiwat...), as well as the western area of Kanchanaburi. Because of its location and the lack of reliable transport to get there, a large margin must be allowed for as it can take a considerable amount of time to get there by taxi or bus due to traffic (from 30 minutes to more than an hour from the centre).

Since 2006, domestic and international flights have been concentrated at Suvarnabhumi, located 35 km east of the city centre, in the Samut Prakarn region. Designed by the American Helmet Jahn, the architecture of this gigantic complex is resolutely futuristic: spacious and clear infrastructures, expressing a resolutely modern technology. Moreover, the protection against the evil spirits is ensured by twelve emblematic giants of Thailand.

Opened in 1916, this was the city's main railway station. It is gradually being phased out in favor of the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Chatuchak. At the time of our visit in June 2023, only a few local trains were still running (to Don Mueang, Ragsit and Ayutthaya). It remains to be seen how this historic site will be converted (museum? shopping center?). A new page is being turned!

The city's subway railway has just 2 lines. The Blue Line runs in a wide half-loop from Hua Lampong railway station to Bang Sue Station (Krung Thep Aphiwat). It serves 18 stations, including Chinatown, Silom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak. It operates from 6 a.m. to midnight every day, every 5 minutes at peak times and approximately every 10 minutes the rest of the time. Connections with the BTS are possible at certain stations. The Purple Line is partially open.

Every day, from morning to evening, these wooden ferries travel on the capital's river. This service provides 4 different routes, with boats flying a coloured flag in operation. These routes are posted at the wharves. For the visitor too, this is a godsend: travelling on Chao Phraya is pleasant and can save time in getting from one part of the city to another quickly and avoiding traffic. Ferries are often crowded, so it is common to make the crossing standing up.

The Thai national airline operates 10 direct flights from Paris to Bangkok every week, including a daily flight in a Boeing 777 (departure is at 12:30pm from CDG). Direct flights also from Brussels, Zurich, London, Frankfurt... The company covers 73 destinations in 37 countries! Frequent connections between the main cities of the country including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Hat Yai and Narathiwat.

For over 15 years now, Bangkok Airways has been reorienting its transport policy, with more than convincing results. Today, the company is the leader in Thailand, offering a wide range of domestic flights, some of them exclusive, as well as more exotic and cultural international flights from Thailand. Fares are on a par with other major airlines, but the ancillary services are far more pleasant, with private airport lounges, menus included in the price regardless of the duration of the flight, and recent aircraft..

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya railway station is close to the historic center, not far from the Pasak River. It serves the north and northeast lines. Trains to and from the following cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lopburi, Phitsanulok, Si Saket, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani. From Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) several trains a day, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes on fast trains, longer on^3rd class trains.

This low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Thai Airways, offers various domestic flights in Thailand. Flights out of Bangkok are from Don Mueang Airport. This company is very convenient to travel around the country, it serves the following cities (in alphabetical order): Bangkok, Buriram, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Khone Kaen, Krabi, Lampang, Loei, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon So Thammarat, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Ranong, King Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

The fastest and most reliable company. The two ferries depart successively from Chumphon at 7am and 1pm (duration 1h45 for Koh Tao, about 3 hours for Koh Phangan and 3h30 for Koh Samui). Departures from Koh Tao at 10:15 and 14:45. Promotional offers available on the website.

This bus station serves the east of the country, the Pattaya region as well as the whole of south-eastern Thailand (Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Koh Samet, Trat, Koh Chang...) up to the border of Cambodia. Every wicket has its destination! VIP buses to Koh Chang leave early in the morning and include the ferry crossing. The BTS station just next door allows you to easily reach the city centre, otherwise taxis are located in front of it (watch out for prices!).

Air Asia is called Thai AirAsia in the kingdom, it is an association of the Malaysian airline Air Asia and the Thai airline Asia Aviation. This low-cost airline with very affordable fares is very advantageous if you book early enough. It connects Don Mueang airport to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya (U-Tapao airport), Krabi, Hat Yai but also the north with Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai... International flights are possible to Indonesia, the Philippines, India, China, South Korea, Australia...

Flights from Paris with stopover in Moscow.

This airport - located 25 kilometres north of Bangkok - was one of the busiest in Southeast Asia, like Singapore or Hong Kong, before Suvarnabhumi took over. It was heavily affected by the floods of 2011 and did not reopen until March 2012. It currently serves the domestic flights of Nok Air, Orient Thai and Air Asia, among others. Also some flights to Siem Reap (Cambodia).

The fastest and most reliable airline. Departures also for Surat Thani, Ao Nang/Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phuket, Hua Nin... Departures from the main ferries at Mae Haad Pier. In high season, departures for Chumphon at 10:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., arrivals at 11:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. respectively.Koh Phangan: departures at 6 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., arrivals at 7:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.Koh Samui (Nathan Pier): departures at 6am, arrivals at 7.50am.Koh Samui (Pralarn Pier): departures at 9.30am and 3pm, arrivals at 11.20am and 4.40pm respectively.Bangkok: departures at 10.15am and 2.45pm, arrivals at 8.30pm and 0.30pm (bus + ferry combo).

This agency offers transfer services by long-tail boat at fixed prices to the surrounding beaches and islands, such as Railay, Poda or Chicken Island. Waiting time is variable as a minimum of six passengers is required to board. There are several such positions in the area. This one is the most popular and the most frequented, which avoids long waits. In addition, the crossings allow you to admire superb landscapes...

Lomprayah's competitor has a slightly less modern fleet and charges more or less the same fares. However, the different timetables may be of interest to some travellers. Departures also for Surat Thani, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Ao Nang and Khao Sok (but not for Chumphon or Bangkok). Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier): departures at 6.30am, 9am and 3pm, arrivals at 8am, 10.30am and 4.30pm respectively. Koh Samui (Bangkrak Pier): departures at 6.30 am, 9 am and 3 pm, arrivals at 8.30 am, 11 am and 5 pm respectively (allow an extra hour to reach the airport).

Flights from Paris with stopover in Ho-Chi-Minh City.