Travel
Airports
Bangkok is Thailand’s major gateway. Most visitors arrive at Suvarnabhumi
Airport as it directly connects to Europe, Asia, North America and
Australia with daily flights by major airlines.
There are also international flights from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong
to Phuket and Hat Yai International airports in the south and Chiang Mai in
the north.
Domestic flights are available to all important cities and tourist resorts
in Thailand.
For airport transport information, visit the
Suvarnabhumi Airport
website.
Ground transport
Plan appointments well ahead of time as travelling in Bangkok can be
problematic. Three to four appointments a day is generally the maximum. For
convenience, safety and language reasons, taxis, hotel limousines and
rented cars are the best options for business visitors travelling in
Bangkok. Some taxi drivers speak English but it is often limited. A
business card or address written in Thai is helpful but by no means
foolproof. Taxis do not carry street directories and only accept cash
payments.
Thai ‘tuk-tuks’ are famous, but are less safe than other forms of
transport, and suitable for short distances only. Fares must be negotiated
beforehand.
The elevated railway (BTS) and the underground rail (MRT) are an efficient
and comfortable means of transport within the city, though the number of
lines, and therefore their coverage, is limited.
Hotels
Due to the size of its tourism industry, Thailand offers various types of accommodation from inexpensive guest houses to luxury hotels. The high season for tourism is November to February.
Dining
Thai food can be found everywhere including from street vendors selling noodles, food courts or food centres in large shopping malls, traditional markets, open-air garden restaurants, riverside restaurants, dinner cruises along the Chao Phraya River and seafood restaurants. Western and other Asian options are also widely available.
Tipping
Tipping is optional, though in hotels and some larger restaurants a 10 per cent service charge is automatically added to the bill. If you feel you have received good service, the serving staff will certainly welcome a token of your appreciation.