Getting Thailand

By Air
Thailand has six international airports, namely Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and U Tapao, which are under the supervision of the Airports Authority of Thailand. The Bangkok International Airport is 24 kilometers to the north of Bangkok. It has two terminals and can accommodate 25 million passengers from more than 80 airlines per year. The buildings are equipped with services and facilities such as duty-free goods, hotel reservation service, foreign currency exchange service, car rental service, and mobile telephone rental service. The Airport Bus provided by BMTA (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority) is a 42-seat air-conditioned bus which travels to visitor accommodation venues and important sightseeing spots. There are four routes: AB1 runs between the Airport and Charoen Krung, AB2 between the Airport and Sanam Luang, AB3 between the Airport and Ekkamai, and AB4 between the Airport and Hua Lamphong.

Presently, the second inter-national airport (Suwannaphum Airport), covering an area of 20,000 rai, is being built at Nong Ngu Hao, Bang Pli District, Samut Prakan, to lessen congestion at Bangkok Airport. This new airport is expected to provide service in the year 2004 and will be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per year and 112 flights per hour. After it is opened for service, it is expected that service efficiency will increase and Thailand will become the center for aviation in the Southeast Asian region.

International services are provided by Angel Airlines and Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. Up to the year 2000, Thai Airways has shown profits for 36 consecutive years. It has a fleet of 77 airplanes that fly to 76 cities in 35 countries throughout the world. Thai Airways is highly regarded because of the quality of food and the efficiency of the flight attendants, and is one of the most popular airlines. It is part of the Star Alliance Network, which is composed of fifteen airlines, providing a network of airlines that covers the whole world.

Thai Airways also provides do-mestic services out of Bangkok Airport that cover all regions with regular flights on 22 routes to 26 airports. Other domestic coverage is provided by a private airline, Bangkok Airways, which regularly flies five routes: Bangkok-Sukhothai-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Ranong, Bangkok-Samui Island, Samui Island-Phuket Island, and U Tapao-Samui Island.

By Waterway
There are very few domestic waterway routes, such as the packet boats that run a short route in the lower part of the Chao Phraya River and the cargo boats from the Central region to Bangkok.

International sea transport is catered for through four international ports:

- Bangkok Port has been the main port for over 50 years and has been developed in conjunction with the economic and social development of the country. This port provides service to international liners of not more than 12,000 gross tons that draw not more than 8.2 meters.

- Laem Chabang Commercial Port is situated in Chon Buri in the Eastern Seaboard Development Area, 130 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. It is an international port with high potential for development as the primary port of the country, or the gateway to trade with many regions of the world.

- Songkhla Port, in the southern Gulf of Thailand, serves international liners and coastal ships. It has two ports for general cargo and one port for containers and can accommodate liners of not more than 20,000 gross tons. Furthermore, it has the potential to be the central port for handling cargo to Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.

- Phuket Port is a deep seaport that was built to accommodate large cruisers and accept other shipping.

Besides these, there is Maptaphut Port in Rayong, which is a special port to serve the industries in the Maptaphut Industrial Estate.