World Country Guide

Travel - International

Travel Warning
On December 26th 2004 a tsunami hit areas along Thailand’s west coast including Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and Phi Phi Island. The clean up process has been excellent but visitors wishing to travel to affected areas should check with a relevant tour operator, tourist board or embassy for the latest travel advice prior to travel.
Visitors are also advised against all but essential travel to the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla where there have been attacks by militant separtists in the past.

Air
Thailand's national airline is Thai Airways International (website: www.thaiairways.com).
Bangkok is the main entry point into Thailand, as well as being a major access point for travel to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam.

Approximate flight times
From Bangkok to London is 12 hours; to Manila is three hours; to Singapore is two hours 15 minutes and to Sydney is nine hours.

International airports
Bangkok International (BKK) (Don Muang) (website: www.airportthai.co.th) is 24km (15 miles) north of the city (travel time - 40 to 60 minutes). There is a 24-hour bus service to the city centre. Trains also run to the city centre (travel time - 30 to 45 minutes). Limousines are available at all hours: service is every 20 minutes depending on flights. Taxis are also available. There is a direct coach service to Pattaya at 0900, 1200 and 1900, returning at 0630, 1400 and 1830. Airport facilities include left luggage, first aid, chemist, duty free shop, banks/bureaux de change, restaurant, bar and snack bars inside the departure lounge, post office situated inside the departure lounge, car hire, accommodation and insurance bureaux.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city (travel time - 20 minutes). Taxi and limousine services are available to the city centre. Airport facilities include car hire, banks/bureaux de change, restaurant, shops and bar.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is 35km (22 miles) northwest of Phuket. Buses and taxis are available to the city centre. Airport facilities include left luggage, duty free shops, first aid, banks, post office, restaurant and snack bars, car hire and tourist information.
Hat Yai International (HDY) has recently been opened; so far it is only used for flights to Asian destinations and domestic flights. The nearest town is Songkhla (approximately 20km/12.5 miles away). Taxis, bus and train services are available. Airport facilities include duty free shop, restaurant, car hire and post office.

Departure tax
Bt500 for all international departures. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.

Sea
The main international port is Bangkok. Limited passenger services are available. There are passenger crossings between Thailand and Laos at several points along the Mekong river. Cruise lines calling at Thailand include Holland America, Orient Lines, Princess, Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

Rail
Through trains operate to Kuala Lumpur, with daily connections to Singapore, Malaysia and to the borders with Cambodia (at Aranyaprathet) and Laos (at Nong Khai). The journey to Singapore takes 48 hours. The opulent Eastern and Oriental Express runs directly from Bangkok to Singapore but it is expensive.

Road
There are international roads from Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. Roads into Myanmar are not officially open to tourist traffic.