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 Australasia aboard the world's major airlines.

          Thai Airways International, Thailand's national airline, flies to eight destinations in the North, seven destinations in the Northeast, and six in the South. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok directly to Ko Samui, Ranong, Cha-am (Hua Hin) and Sukhothai. It also flies one-stop to Chiang Mai and Phuket, and from Samui to U-Tapao (Pattaya). There are also services linking Samui and Singapore. Orient Thai Airline connects major Thai cities such as Chiang MaiSurat Thani-Hat Yai, Chiang Mai-Hat Yai, Chiang Mai-U-Tapao, Chiang Mai-Udon Thani-Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai- Khon Kaen-Ubon Ratchathani.

          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: 280-0110,280-0060. The airline also organises 'Royal Orchid Holidays' tours to every destination it flies to.

          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. The expense of getting to Bangkok per air kilometre varies quite a bit depending on your point of departure. However, you can take heart in the fact that Bangkok is one of the cheapest cities in the world to fly out of, due to the Thai government's loose restictions on air fares and the close competition between airlines and travel agencies. The result is that with a little shopping around you can come up with some real bargins. If you can find a cheap one way ticket to Bangkok, take it, because you are virtually guaranteed to find one of equal or lesser cost for the return trip once you get there.

          From most places around the world your best bet will be budget, excursion or promotional fares - when speaking to airlines ask for the various fares in that order. Each carries its own set of restrictions and it's up to you to decide which set works best in your case. Fares fluctuate, but in general they are cheaper from September to April (northern hemisphere) and from March to November (southern hemisphere).

Airports & Airlines

          A district directly north of Bangkok known as Don Muang has been the main hub for international air traffic in and out of Thailand since 1931, when Imperial Airways (forerunner of what was to become BOAC and then British Airways) began regular flights between London and Bangkok (a journey of nine days in that era).

          Today Don Muang is home to Bangkok international airport, the busiest airport in South-East Asia in terms of scheduled arrivals and departures. A second, larger airport was intended to replace Don Muang around 2000 at Nong Ngu Hao, an area 20km east of Bangkok. Following the economic crisis of 1997/98, the Thai government cancelled the Nong Ngu Hao project despite having already spent US$200 million on its development.

          The national carrier, Thai Airways International (THAI), dominates inbound and outbound air traffic, but 80 other international airlines also fly in and out of Bangkok. Angel Airways, which mostly serves domestic routes, flies internationally between Singapore and Phuket, while Bangkok Airways flies between Bangkok and Siem Reap, Cambodia. for more information

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How to get to Thailand by Train

          Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Intermediary stops include KualaLumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns.

          An efficient rail system links major northern and northeastern towns with the capital. A southern route permits the visitor to travel by train into Malaysia 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 Surat Thani (for Ko Samui), Chumphon and Chiang Mai. Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok Railway Station, Tel: 223-7010, 2237020.

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How to get to Thailand by Road

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

          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/Northeastern Bus Terminal is on Kam Phaeng Phet 2 Road, Tel: 9363674, 9363667-8.

          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).

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How to get to Thailand 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 11, Royal Viking, or Pearl of Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya.

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