There
are many types of local city transport in Thailand:
Songthaew
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Usually long tray utes
with seats down each side covered
to protect passengers from the rain. They circle areas continually
and the fare costs per person from 10 - 20 Baht one way in Pattaya
and Chiang Mai, and 20 - 80 Baht in Phuket and in Koh Samui.
In Chiang Mai there
are a few different colours that the Songthaew's are painted.
Each colour represents a
different area of the city they only service.
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To get on a Songthaew, simply
wait for them to honk their horn and then turn around and acknowledge
them and they will stop for you, or wave your hand as they drive by.
If you are unsure of the usual fare for your destination, ask and confirm
with the driver first.
To get off the Songthaew,
press one of the buzzer buttons around the back of the vehicle. Maximum
are around 12 passengers. If you have more than 5 people in your group
feel free to negotiate a better total price.
Tuk Tuk
Tuk Tuk's are 3 wheeled two
stroke vehicles that can fit up to 3 passangers into the back, though
I have seen up to 5 Thai's in the back. Tuk Tuk's are very noisy and
the pollution is very bad in areas like Bangkok due to the high traffic
levels. You may need to cover your mouth and nose with a hankerchief.
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Tuk Tuk drivers nearly
always have an second motive to get you in the vehicle. They will
push and push to get you to visit a gems dealer on the way to
the location you are wanting to visit. If you do not wish to see
the gem shop - where the gems are over valued or fake - you must
confirm this with the driver before you hop on. Many drivers with
snub you sometimes if you do not go to the gem shops as they will
not receive their kick back payments.
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Motorcycle Taxi
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Simply hop on the back
without any helmet after you work out the fare. Prevalent in all
areas of Thailand. You will see groups of young men with motorcycles
on corners of streets. They have a uniform with a number and are
licensed by the government. I do not recommend the use
of this form of transport in Bangkok due to the traffic.
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Car Taxi
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Similar to the metered
taxi's in Australia, though a lot more cheaper. One reason they
are cheaper is the fact you can sit in the traffic for very long
periods without traveling far. This is where Tuk Tuk and Motorcycle
taxi's come into their own. You will have the option of using
the meter or paying
a fixed priced. Meter is the best option as you are only charged
for distance traveled as the traffic can be very slow.
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Sky Train
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The Sky
Train opened in 2000 and services the main areas of Bangkok.
It is a quiet pollution free form of transport at
a very cheap price. Costs 10 Baht - 40 Baht one way or purchase
a one day travel pass for about 200 Baht. The beauty of this mode
of transport is that it is air conditioned, quick, safe and has
stops to all main tourist areas like Patong Night Markets and
Chatuchak Weekend Markets.
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MRT (Mass Rapid Transport)
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A brand new underground
MRT
System now operates servicing other areas of Bangkok intersecting
the two Sky Train Lines. The fee structure is similar to the Sky
Train rates and the service which is identical to the Singapore
MRT system is first class. Be sure to stop at Lumphini Station
to visit the Suanlum Night Bazaar.
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Vehicle Hire
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There are also many
hire car and bike options in all tourist areas. Make sure you
have your International Drivers License permit before you travel
to Thailand. This costs A$15 at your local transport office otherwise
you will be required to leave your passport with the hire company.
Motorcycle moped rates are usually 150 Baht per day.
The best tip I can give
is to make sure that the vehicle is insured before you hire it.
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Local Buses
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The cheapest way to
travel around Thailand is by the local and domestic bus network.
The network features both air conditioned services and non air
conditioned services with the air conditioned services costing
slightly more. Most
local Thai people use the bus network to get to and from destinations
and is also a favoured way to travel by budget minded backpackers.
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