Transport in Thailand
Encyclopedia
Vanpool
Vanpools are an element of the transit system that allow groups of people to share the ride similar to a carpool, but on a larger scale with concurrent savings in fuel and vehicle operating costs...
, songthaew
Songthaew
A songthaew , also known in English as a baht bus, is a passenger vehicle in Malaysia, Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi....
, or even elephants in rural areas.
Rail transport in Thailand
The State Railway of ThailandState Railway of Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand is the state-owned rail operator in Thailand. The network sees around 50 million passengers per annum.-History:SRT was founded as the Royal State Railways of Siam in 1890...
operates 4,070 km of 1.000-m gauge railway line (294.63 km double track and 106.01 km triple track).
Metro systems
BangkokBangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
is the only city in Thailand with a metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
and Tour bus service system:
- Bangkok MetroBangkok MetroThe MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
or MRT - Bangkok SkytrainBangkok SkytrainThe Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain , is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration...
or BTS - BRT (Bangkok)
- Premier Metro Bus or METROBUS
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Link
- Bangkok City Tour Shuttle Bus
Proposed Metro Systems
- Pattaya Monorail
- Khon Kaen BRT
- Chiang Mai BRT (CTS)
- Hatyai Monorail
Rail links to adjacent countries
Malaysia - yes; same gauge Laos - trial running; use gauge cross MekongMekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
River on Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge Cambodia - disused (being rebuilt) Myanmar - defunct - (see Death Railway
Death Railway
The Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway, the Thailand–Burma Railway and similar names, was a railway between Bangkok, Thailand, and Rangoon, Burma , built by the Empire of Japan during World War II, to support its forces in the Burma campaign.Forced labour was used in its construction...
).
Towns served by rail
- BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
- the capital - Nakhon RatchasimaNakhon RatchasimaNakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
- Hub of the Northeast
- RatchaburiRatchaburiRatchaburi ) is a town in western Thailand, capital of the Ratchaburi Province. It covers the whole tambon Nai Mueang of Mueang Ratchaburi district. As of 2006 it has a population of 38,208.-External links:*...
- (S) - PhetchaburiPhetchaburiPhetchaburi , also known as Phetburi, is a town in central Thailand, capital of the Phetchaburi Province. In Thai, Phetchaburi means city of diamonds . It is approximately 160km south of Bangkok, at the northern end of the Thai Peninsula...
- (S) - Prachuap Khiri KhanPrachuap Khiri KhanPrachuap Khiri Khan is a town in southern Thailand. It is the capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan province and is on the coast at one of the narrowest stretches in Thailand, only 10 km from the Burmese border at Dansingkhorn. The town can reached from Bangkok by train from Hualampong Station or by...
- (S) - ChumphonChumphonChumphon is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Chumphon Province and the Mueang Chumphon district. The city is located about 463 kilometers away from Bangkok...
- (S) - Surat ThaniSurat ThaniSurat Thani is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 , and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².Suran Thani is...
- (S) - junction - Ban Takhun - (S) - branch terminus
- Thung Song - (S)
- Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si Thammarat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat district. It is about south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The city was the administrative center of southern Thailand during most of its history. ...
- (S) - branch terminus and port - Hat YaiHat YaiHat Yai is a city in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. Located at , it has a population of 157,359 in the city itself and about 800,000 in the greater Hat Yai area. Hat Yai is the largest city of Songkhla Province, the largest metropolitan area in Southern, and third largest...
- (S) - junction - SongkhlaSongkhlaSongkhla is a city in the Songkhla Province of southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. As of 2006 it had a population of 75,048...
- branch terminus and port ? (line defunct) - YalaYala, ThailandYala is a city in the extreme south of Thailand near the Malaysian border, and is administrative capital of Yala Province. The 2005 estimated population was 65,000. The city covers the whole tambon Sateng of Mueang Yala district....
- (S) - Sungai Kolok - (S) - near border with Malaysia
- UttaraditUttaraditUttaradit is a town in Thailand, capital of the Uttaradit province. The town covers the whole tambon Tha It of Mueang Uttaradit district...
- (N) - LampangLampangLampang, also called Nakhon Lampang to differentiate from Lampang Province, is the third largest town in northern Thailand and capital of Lampang Province and the Lampang district. Traditional names for Lampang include Wiang Lakon and Khelang Nakhon. The city is still growing rapidly as trading...
-(N) - Chiang MaiChiang MaiChiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
- (N)
2006
- 16 December 2006 - The rail link with Cambodia is to be restored with a loan from the Asian Development BankAsian Development BankThe Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
and a donation of rails from Malaysia.
Road transport in Thailand
- Total: 64,600 km
- Paved: 62,985 km
- Unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)
Thai highway network
The Thai highway network links every part of Thailand. The four lane highways often have overhead concrete pedestrian crossings interspersed about every 250 meters in populated areas. There are no on and off ramps, highways are separated by median with breakage for U-turns, except in Bangkok where ramp style U-turns predominate.A number of undivided two lane highways have been converted into divided four-lane highways, greatly enhancing safety and speed. A Bangkok - Chon Buri
Chonburi (city)
Chonburi is the capital of Chonburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 100km east of Bangkok, on the coast to the Gulf of Thailand. The name means city of water.Chonburi has had town status since 1935.-External links:...
motorway (Route 7) now links to the new airport and Eastern Seaboard
Eastern Seaboard of Thailand
The Eastern Seaboard of Thailand is an emerging economic region, and plays a key role in Thailand's economy. Its importance lies in the fact that it is Thailand's center for export oriented industries. High value goods, such as Japanese branded automobiles, which are manufactured there and...
.
Thai motorway network
The Thai motorway network is small. Coupled with Bangkok's extensive expressway network, the motorways provide a relief from regular traffic in Bangkok. The Thai Government is planning infrastructure investment in various "megaprojects", including motorway expansion to approximately 4,500 kilometers.Thai expressway network
Thailand uses the expressway term for the toll roadToll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
or highway network. Most of expressways are elevated with some sections on the ground level. The current expressway network covers major parts of Bangkok and suburban areas. Expressways are used to avoid heavy traffic jams in Bangkok and reduce traffic time, but are sometimes congested in rush hour.
Bus service
Buses are a major method of transportation for people and packages, and are the most popular means of long distance travel. Tour and VIP class long-distance buses tend to be luxurious, while city- and other-class buses are often very colorful with paint schemes and advertising. Bangkok city buses come in various sizes, types, and prices, from half size, full size, double length, open window, fan, and air conditioned.Alternative transport
Includes tuk-tukAuto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
, taxi, van (minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
), motorbike taxi, songthaew
Songthaew
A songthaew , also known in English as a baht bus, is a passenger vehicle in Malaysia, Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi....
, boats (in canals and rivers).
Airports
- Total: 106 (1999 est.)
- Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) (Old Bangkok Int'l)
- Suvarnabhumi AirportSuvarnabhumi AirportSuvarnabhumi Airport , also known as Bangkok International Airport, is an international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. It was officially opened for limited domestic flight service on 15 September 2006, and opened for most domestic and all international commercial flights on 28 September...
(BKK) (New Bangkok Int'l) - Chiang Mai International AirportChiang Mai International AirportChiang Mai International Airport is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand.Chiang Mai International Airport is the major gateway to the north of Thailand, and currently the third busiest airport in the country. As of 2010, 17 airlines operate services and more than 3,000,000 passengers, 15,000 flights...
(CNX) - Chiang Rai International AirportChiang Rai International AirportMae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport is located in the city of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.The airport is located about 10 km from the city centre...
(CEI) - Hat Yai International AirportHat Yai International AirportHat Yai International Airport is the major southern hub airport in Thailand, located near the city of Hat Yai. It is under the management of Airports of Thailand, PCL. It is also an important airport for Muslims on the pilgrimage to Mecca. Annually, more than 800,000 passengers, 9,500 flights...
(HDY) - Phuket International AirportPhuket International AirportPhuket International Airport is an airport serving the Phuket Province of Thailand. It is located in the north of Phuket Island, 32 kilometres from the centre of Phuket City. The airport plays a major role in Thailand's tourism industry, as Phuket Island is a popular resort destination...
(HKT) - Krabi International AirportKrabi AirportKrabi Airport , is the airport serving Krabi, Thailand - about from the city center.-Airlines and destinations:- Statistics :* Movements - 7,820* Passenger departures - 395,902* Transit - 427...
(KBV) - Samui International AirportSamui AirportSamui International Airport , also known as Ko Samui Airport or Koh Samui Airport, is a privately owned airport on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. The airport is located roughly 2 km north of the main village Chaweng....
(USM) - Surat Thani International AirportSurat Thani AirportSurat Thani Airport is situated in the Phunphin district, Surat Thani province, Thailand. The airport, which is located 21 km west of Surat Thani, is also the Wing 7 Airforce base...
(URT) - Udon Thani Internaitonal Airport (UTH)
- U-Tapao International AirportU-Tapao International Airport-Charter services:-Accidents and incidents:On 28 October 1977, a Douglas DC-3 of Air Vietnam was hijacked to U-Tapao International Airport where the four hijackers surrendered. Two people on board the aircraft were killed in the hijacking...
(UTP)
With paved runways
- Total: 56 (1999 est.)
- Over 3,047 m: 6
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
- 914 to 1,523 m: 18
- Under 914 m: 4
With unpaved runways
- Total: 50 (1999 est.)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
- 914 to 1,523 m: 16
- Under 914 m: 33
Heliports
- Total: 17 (2007 est.)
Airlines of Thailand
- The national carrier of Thailand is Thai Airways InternationalThai Airways InternationalThai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
.
Waterways
- Principal waterways: 3,999 km
- 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year.
- Numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft, such as long-tailed boats.
River and canal transport
In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya RiverChao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
is a major transportation artery, with ferries, water taxis (the Chao Phraya Express) and long-tailed boats. There are local, semi express, and express lines for commuters, though the river winds a lot, which can make the trip much farther than by bus. There is also the Khlong Saen Saeb
Khlong Saen Saeb
Khlong Saen Saeb is a canal in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok...
boat service, which provides fast, inexpensive transport in central Bangkok.
Ferries
Ferry service between hundreds of islands and the mainland is available, as well as across navigable rivers, such as Chao Phraya and Mae Khong (MekongMekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
). There are a number of international ferries.
Ports and harbors
- BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
- Laem NgopAmphoe Laem Ngop-History:The district was established in 1897 named Ko Chang district. The district office was located in Ban Dan Kao on Ko Chang. The district controlled all islands in Trat province. As the district office was located on an island, it was not convenient for most of people on mainland, thus the...
- Laem ChabangLaem ChabangLaem Chabang is a city in Chonburi Province, Thailand. It covers the tambon Bang Lamung of Bang Lamung district, and the complete tambon Bueng, Sura Sak, Thung Su Khla and parts of Nong Kham of Si Racha district...
near Si RachaAmphoe Si RachaSi Racha is a district in the province Chonburi, Thailand. Its center is the town of Si Racha, located at the Gulf of Thailand, about halfway between Chonburi and Pattaya.... - PattaniPattani (town)Pattani is a town in the far south of Thailand, near the boundary to Malaysia. It is the capital of the Pattani Province. The city has a population of 43,631...
- PhuketPhuket ProvincePhuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
(Patong) - SattahipAmphoe SattahipSattahip is a district in the province Chonburi, Thailand. It is located at the southern tip of the province, close to the tourism center Pattaya.-Geography:...
- SongkhlaSongkhlaSongkhla is a city in the Songkhla Province of southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. As of 2006 it had a population of 75,048...
- RanongRanongRanong ) is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Ranong Province and the Mueang Ranong district. The town covers completely the area of the tambon Khao Niwet . As of 2005 it has a population of 16,163, and has town status .The town is located at the estuary of the Pak Chan River, opposite...
- SatunSatunSatun is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Satun Province. It covers the whole tambon Phiman of Mueang Satun district. As of 2005 it has a population of 21,498....
Merchant marine
- Total: 299 shipShipSince the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
s ( or over) totaling /- Ships by type: bulk carrierBulk carrierA bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...
39, cargo shipCargo shipA cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
135, chemical tankerChemical tankerA chemical tanker is a type of tanker designed to transport chemicals in bulk.Ocean-going chemical tankers generally range from to in size, which is considerably smaller than the average size of other tanker types due to the specialised nature of their cargoes and the size restrictions of the...
3, combination bulk carrierBulk carrierA bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...
1, container shipContainer shipContainer ships are cargo ships that carry all of their load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a technique called containerization. They form a common means of commercial intermodal freight transport.-History:...
13, liquified gas 19, multi-functional large load carrier 3, passenger shipPassenger shipA passenger ship is a ship whose primary function is to carry passengers. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freighters once common on the seas in which the transport of passengers is...
1, petroleum tankerOil tankerAn oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
63, refrigerated cargo ship 13, roll-on/roll-off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 5 (1999 est.)
- Ships by type: bulk carrier
External links
- 2bangkok.com - Transportation developments and events.
- Thailand Transportation Modes - Transportation modes.
- Bus, train, MRT, BTS timetables
- Railway map
- Thailand Accident Research Center (TARC) - Road & Transportation Safety.
- Driving in Thailand - Driving a car in Thailand and how to get a drivers license.
- Transport photo in Thailand
