Bangkok

1. How to get to Bangkok | Bangkok Airport GuideBeing a major air transport hub in Asia, two international airports are serving Bangkok and its surrounding areas. One is the older Don Mueang International Airport, today it is mainly used for regional commuter flights and low-cost airlines. The other airport is the newer main airport of Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). One of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia, the BKK has two international and one domestic terminal, and it is served by over 60 airlines. The airport has internal airport shuttle bus services providing free connections between Terminal buildings (outside the arrivals halls), VIP Rooms Building, and Car Park Building, etc.Suvarnabhumi Airport is approximately 30 km (19 miles) from central Bangkok. Numerous transfers options are available between the airport and city center, including Airport Rail Link, taxis, public buses, and limousines. The fastest way is by Airport Rail Link. From Arrivals Hall visitors should follow the signs for the train station. For MRT/Subway connection, get off at Makkasan Station (fifth stop). From there, passengers can interchange with MRT Blue Line (Phetchaburi Station) for their final downtown destinations. Fare from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan Station is 35 Baht. If passengers take the Airport Rail Link to its terminal station, Phaya Thai Station, a connection can be made to the Skytrain (an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok). Fare from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phayathai Station is 45 Baht.Other airport transfer options include the public buses which operate 24 hours a day for 35 Baht per trip. Passengers need to take an airport shuttle from the Arrivals Hall to the transportation center, where there are 11 routes from the airport to various parts of Bangkok. For a hassle-free alternative, visitors can grab a taxi outside the Arrivals Hall (Ground Level). Get a ticket from a taxi queue machine which shows the lane number on the ticket.2. Thailand International Travel InformationOfficially called the Kingdom of Thailand, it was formerly known as Siam until 1949. Covering an area of around 514,000 sq.km. (198,456 sq.mi.), Thailand is one of the largest countries in Asia and the 51st biggest in the world. Located in the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, it is bordered by Laos to the north, Cambodia to the east, Malaysia to the south, and Myanmar to the west. There are 76 provinces and 2 specially governed districts which are Bangkok (the capital) and Pattaya.Thailand has a population of around 70 million people, and it is a multi-ethnic nation with 62 recognized ethnic communities. The official language of Thailand is Thai. But the country is home to 71 living languages, for example, Lao is spoken along borders with Laos, and Malay is used in border regions with Malaysia.There is only one time zone in Thailand – the Indochina Time (ICT) and it is always 7 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). The ICT is used all year round, so there are no Daylight-Saving Time clock changes. Thailand is in the same time zone as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.3. Getting Around Bangkok: Bangkok Public Transport & MoreBangkok is known for its chaotic traffic and seemingly never-ending rush hours. When the roads appear to be perpetually clogged, the best options to travel around the city are the BTS (Skytrain) and the MRT (subway). The Skytrain is an efficient elevated train system that consists of 61 stations along three lines (BTS Sukhumvit Line, BTS Silom Line, and Gold Line). Interchanging between the Skytrain and MRT is possible at only five BTS stations. Fares are from 16-59 Baht depending on distance traveled, while one-day passes cost 140 Baht. In comparison, the MRT subway only has two lines (Blue Line and Purple Line) and covers a smaller area. Trains run frequently every 5-10 minutes during the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight. Fares are from 15-50 baht. When changing between the BTS and MRT, a new ticket will need to be purchased. There are English signs in both transit systems and tickets can be purchased at automated machines in the station or from ticket offices.While constant traffic congestion is a concern, all-in-all taxis are still a fairly affordable and easy way to get around the city. In normal traffic conditions, the fare starts at 35 Baht for the first two kilometers. All taxis are metered, so there’s no need to negotiate the fare. While tipping is not required for taxis, it is preferable to round up the fare as most drivers don’t carry change. App-based alternatives to traditional taxis are available in Bangkok.Other modes of transportation visitors can consider include riverboats. The Khlong Boats runs the canals, while River Ferries / Chao Phraya Express Boat operates the main ferry service along Chao Phraya River. These riverboats can be a great way to get around some of the city's major sites (e.g. Wat Arun).