Bang Saen and Beyond - A Guide to Thai Transportation



Bang Saen and Beyond.
 


BTS (Bangkok [Mass] Transit System)(Wikimedia Commons)
 


Song Taew
 


Taxi
 

About This Guide

Thailand is becoming a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all parts of the world. Tourists eager to see the vast beauty and unique culture of Thailand may encounter difficulty figuring out the best method of getting around. This virtual transportation guide will help you to figure out what mode of transport is suitable for certain types of travel. If you are an obvious tourist in Thailand, it is common to get ripped off, or overcharged. This guide will provide some helpful tips and tricks to ensure that tourists are paying a fair price.

Outlining 10 different modes of transportation, this guide will describe what you can expect to encounter whilst travelling in Thailand. This guide will help you with pre-departure preparation and budgeting.

Safety is crucial for tourists in Thailand, as there are many unconventional hazards. This guide will help you to anticipate and hopefully avoid dangerous situations and common obstructions, creating the safest possible venture.

For tourists, travelling in a foreign country like Thailand can be quite overwhelming. We hope this guide provides you with some valuable information to make any trip to Thailand effortless, safe, and enjoyable.

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Modes of transit in this Guide include:

Things To Know/ Tips and Tricks

While travelling in Thailand there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Buddhist Monks

When using public transportation look out for monks. Buddhist monks are not permitted to be touched by a female or to touch anything a female might offer them. Monks also cannot shake hands with males or females. If you see a monk on public transit remember to pay them the same respect they would receive at a temple. On certain modes of transport there are monk only seating areas - do not sit in these seats. Also, if you are on a form of crowded transport and a monk gets on do not hesitate to give up your seat for them.

Avoiding Getting Ripped Off

For most methods of Thai transportation that don't require you to buy a ticket, you can negotiate a price before departure. A good way to gauge what a fair price for your journey will be is to ask a local (if you can) or ask at your hotel or accommodation. Details on what can be considered fair pricing can be found for each method of transport on the POI pages too. If you find yourself in a situation where a driver is suggesting a ludicrous price, and you suspect you are being ripped off, it is best to handle the situation politely. A good way to express that the price is too high is to look shocked and laugh, to imply that you cannot believe it is that much. Usually the driver will then realize that you know the correct price and lower the number. It is important not to get angry or frustrated at the driver (especially if you are a visible tourists), as this could lead to conflict and the driver will not feel obliged to change his pricing. Remember to remain respectful when negotiating prices, as drivers do need to earn a living.

Asking Drivers for Help

If you want to get to a certain destination but aren't sure if your chosen mode of transportation can get you there, the best thing to do is just ask the driver! More often than not drivers are friendly and willing to assist you. They might tell you they can get you to your destination or they might tell you another way to get there and recommend an alternative method.This is particularly true for song taew drivers as if your destination is not on their route, they will often have a friend that does drive that route. If you do not speak Thai, the language barrier could become a problem but most of time if you say the name of your destination clearly it will be understood. Another good idea is to take screen shots on your phone or write down the addresses of destinations prior to departure. This is particularly useful for hotels, as drivers may know the area and street names but may not know the names of all the hotels. Then you can show the address to the driver, which should help you get where you need to go.



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