So Many Thai Travel Options!

Traveling to any new country can be challenging, but traveling to a country with questionable infrastructure and little spoken english can be especially challenging for Westerners. I knew that making our way around Thailand would probably mean flagging down a bunch of taxis and a possibly a Tuk Tuk just for fun. I was wrong. Getting around in Thailand was easier, cheaper, and more fun than I expected because of the sheer variety of options in the air, on land, and over water... from traditional to, well, adventurous.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of options. If you are loaded, private flights are an option. If you want to take advantage of local public transportation in Bangkok, have at it (but seriously: See my blurb about UBER below)! These are just some of the ways we chose to adventure around Thailand. I hope this is helpful and informative.

-Air-

Airplane

Flying from city to city in Thailand takes time, but is less of a hassle than you would expect. Once you step into a Thai domestic terminal you have simultaneously stepped back in time and leapt into the future.

Security is a breeze. Shoes? Belt? Pocket change? Naahhh... just keep 'em on. That laptop can stay in your bag as well. You're going to put your bag through a metal detector and walk through one of the same - just like the one you walked through the last time you went to the ball park or a theme park.

Thai domestic airline terminals just make flying feel like no big deal. They are every bit as crowded as a London Tube station at rush hour and, depending on the airline, you can even buy your tickets from a vending machine or ticket counter when you arrive. The combo of the kiosk service and quick security means that, if you are very brave, you could show up at the airport about an hour and a half before your flight without a ticket. I would never dare attempt that because,  it is still Thailand.

The budget airlines' seats are tiny and you can't expect anything without extra cost (I don't think you can even buy anything unless you are in the premium-economy seats), but the longest cross-country flight is only 3 hours long. If you're hopping between major cities or regions, calibrate your expectations, and hop on Thai Smile or Nok Air and get it done.

-Land-

Taxi

Taxis are a necessary evil at times and, in Thailand, they're cheap. I have no place talking smack about taxis. There are two airports in Bangkok and they are about an hour and a half apart from one another. I tried to insist that we go to the wrong one and my stereotypically awesome Thai cabbie managed to take my wife and me to the CORRECT airport in spite of my protests. Thai people rock.

Taxi bikes or mopeds exist too. It's like a Taxi except you are literally asked to ride on the back of a stranger's moped at breakneck speeds between all of the other taxis exploring the creative arts of lane definition. I am a pansy. Did not attempt. Send me a fun GoPro Video of you not dying!  

Bonus: UBER

UBER is your best resource for getting around the town of Bangkok. Seriously. It is cheaper than the taxis and even public transportation. PLUS you still have the option of haling an UBER moped! LUCKY YOU! We realized Uber was the same price as the city bus in Bangkok while waiting for the bus in 100 degree, 100% humidity conditions. Thanks for picking us up in your air-conditioned car and giving us water so we didn't have to keep waiting, Mr. Chanarong. The forty minute ride in rush hour to the other side of the city cost $4.

Tuk Tuk

The TukTuk is probably the most stereotypical of all the Thai ground vehicles. It is a motorcycle/trike/go-cart hybrid with a bench seat between the rear wheels where passengers sit. These things vary greatly in design based on the preferences of the vehicle's owner. Some TukTuks are totally photo-worthy. These appear to be built on giant vespa bodies, have nicely padded seats and hand-stitched canvas canopies to keep that blazing Thai sun off your neck. Others just look crazy; the rusty metal pipes spew smoke and the anime bobble-heads and photos of the driver's family stare mockingly at their passengers, tinted orange by the plastic tarp on the rickety rebar umbrella over their heads.

You have to ride in a TukTuk. We rode them in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai and lived to tell the tale - don't let anything you read online stop you from doing this. I love TukTuks. Liz may feel differently, but this was my favorite way of getting around. As with almost all transportation in Thailand, bargaining your rate is expected and should be taken care of up front before climbing aboard. In my experience Thai men and women will not try to rip you off or trick you, but the price will be higher because you are a westerner, THB are low-value, and you clearly found, saved, or stole enough money to be standing in Thailand looking for a ride. Be sure that the price you agree upon is for the trip you plan to take. For example:

Me: "Can you take us to Wat Arun?"

TT: "Yes! Please get in!"

Me: "How much will it cost"

TT: "aaaahhhhhh 'bout 100THB" 

Me: "For both of us?"

TT: "Each person... 200THB"

Me: "I have 120THB, 2 persons."

TT: "Yes! Please get in!"

Song-Taew

A TukTuk for your whole group. Song-Taews are little trucks with benches along the sides of the bed and a canvas or aluminum canopy (they carry from 1-16 people). Grabbing a ride on one of these requires a little more assertiveness than any of the other modes of public transportation.

Here's what you do: (1) Flag down the driver much like you would wave down a taxi. (2) Lean in through the window and do your best to describe where you're going or show your desired destination to the driver on Google Maps (3) Agree upon a price. (4) Get in the back. (5) Bang on the window when you want the driver to stop or just hop out if he has come to the right spot on his own. (6) pay up.

We got pretty good at using the Song-Taews in Chiang Mai (I honestly didn't really see many of them in Bangkok) and I love that the fares are variable! For every additional person your driver picks up, the price goes down. Most of the time we had a whole truck to ourselves, but the few times other travelers joined us, the no-longer-private-ride cost less. One time, a ST driver quoted us 200THB to our destination and even though we were still the first stop, he only charged us 60THB on account of the other passengers we picked up.

A word of caution: Fumes from other vehicles can come through the ST and the bench area is not as well ventilated as the open seats of a TukTuk. If you're going a long distance or on a highway in a ST I highly recommend buying a surgical mask or putting a scarf (remember this is one of my favorite travel accessories) over your mouth to avoid feeling crappy.

Moped

You should know that renting a moped in Thailand is a ton of fun and not as dangerous or mysterious an exploit as some folks online would make you think. If you are familiar with riding motorcycles or mopeds wherever you live, you should not hesitate to do it in Thailand - this is the best way to explore the vibrant cafe culture and a million other quick stops. Most of the time you are not required to part with travel documents or sensitive information and a 24-hour rental is only a few hundred THB. My only word of caution is that, because you must ride on the left side of the road and Thai drivers are courteous but aggressive, I would not recommend riding a motorized two-wheel vehicle for the first time in Thailand. 

-Water-

In the Southern parts of Thailand there are lots of excuses to go Island hopping and there are a couple different boat options. The details aren't as exciting as those of the ground transportation options, but it may help you out when researching trip possibilities to know the options.

SpeedBoat

If you are actually going to be covering distance or visiting a few different islands in one day, this is the boat for you. The large speedboats that are commonly used by tour groups vary in size, but are alike in their ability to move you clear from Phuket Town to Krabi in just a couple of hours. Additionally, these larger craft are able to cut more effectively through the considerable wind swell that picks up in the evening. This also means that those with seasickness tendencies will be more likely to keep their lunch. These boat charters do break the mold a little in that they are not as unbelievably cheap as everything else in Thailand, but fares are still reasonable. Day trips on these boats (the best way to find secluded, beautiful islands) range from $75-$200/person while transportation only from point A to B could be had readily for $50-$100 per person.

Longtail Boat

This is the less efficient, water-bound version of a TukTuk and they pop up throughout the country. Like the TukTuk, some can resemble something from Mad Max, while others are beautiful and well cared-for (see the picture at left).  a longtail boat is a long traditional canoe operated by one man who stands at the back of the boat. He stands at the back of the boat right next to the huge, fume belching, fully exposed Honda tractor engine to which he has affixed a pole that has a propellor on the end. By dipping this robot wars contestant into the water, the pilot sends the boat forward. These boats are short range and really only suited for short river crossings and hopping between smaller islands, NOT crossing from Phuket Town to Krabi or even Phi Phi. The upside here is that they are inexpensive to charter and you can book one by bartering with one of the tens of Longtail captains gathered on popular beaches.

As you an tell, you will not want for interesting ways to get around the country. Just remember to be flexible and courteous and to smile! That trio will get you anywhere in Thailand. Enjoy the ride :) 

Let us know how you got around by dropping us an email at travelwiththeallens@gmail.com.

Safe travels,

Brooks Allen