Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 717

GETTING AROUND
BY BOAT
Bangkok's network of waterways is the most interesting
means of getting around the city.
Express boats The Chao Phraya Express ( W chaophraya
expressboat.com) runs large river buses in daylight hours
between Krung Thep Bridge in the south and Nonthaburi
in the north, stopping at numbered piers ( tha ) all along its
course. “Local” boats with no flag stop at every landing, but
only operate during rush hours (Mon-Fri 6.20-8am &
3-5.30pm; every 20-25min; B10-14). The only boats to
run all day (6am-7pm) every day are on the limited-stop
orange-flag service (every 5-20min; B15). Other limited-
stop, express services run only during rush hours, flying
either a yellow (B20-29) or green (B13-32) flag; a sign on
each pier shows which service stops there. The important
central Chao Phraya Express stops are outlined in the box
on p.719 and marked on our city map (see pp.712-713).
Tourist boats Chao Phraya Express tourist boats,
distinguished by light-blue flags, with on-board guides,
run between Phra Athit (every 30min; 9.30/10am-
4/4.30pm; currently experimenting with running till
9/9.30pm, though this may not last) and Sathorn,
stopping at all piers close to tourist attractions, on both
sides of the river. A one-day ticket with unlimited stops
costs B150; one-way tickets are also available, costing B40.
Khlong saen seb boats Passenger boats run every
fifteen minutes during daylight hours along Khlong Saen
Seb canal from Tha Phanfa, near Democracy Monument
(handy for Banglamphu, Ratanakosin and Chinatown),
and head way out east, with useful stops at Th Phrayathai,
aka Saphan Hua Chang (for Jim Thompson's House and
Ratchathevi Skytrain stop), Pratunam (for the Erawan
Shrine) and Soi Asoke (Soi 21, for Phetchaburi subway

stop) off Th Sukhumvit. This is your quickest and most
interesting way of getting across town, if you can stand the
stench of the canal; fares cost B12-20.

BY BUS
There are two main types of bus services in the city:
ordinary (non-a/c; currently free), which come in various
colours and run either from around 5am to 10pm or 24hr;
and blue, yellow or orange a/c buses (B10-23), most of
which stop at around 8.30pm. The box below highlights
the most useful routes. Of the several bus maps sold at
bookshops and hotels, the best and most useful is Bangkok
Guide's Bus Routes & Map.

10

BY SKYTRAIN
Although their networks are limited, the BTS Skytrain and the
subway provide much faster alternatives to the bus. There
are two Skytrain lines ( W bts.co.th), both running daily every
few minutes from 6am to midnight, with fares B15-52/trip
depending on distance travelled. The Silom Line's Saphan
Taksin station links up with express boats at Central pier.

BY SUBWAY
The single-line subway runs frequently (up to every 2min
in rush hour) from 6am to midnight each day. Fares are
B16-40. Work is under way (scheduled to complete in
2015) to continue the line from Hualamphong, through
Chinatown and Ratanakosin, to Thonburi.

BY TAXI
Fares in Bangkok's metered, a/c taxi cabs start at B35 (look
out for the “TAXI METER” sign on the roof, and a red light in
the windscreen by the passenger seat, which means that
the cab is free). Insist that the taxi use its meter; some taxis

USEFUL BUS ROUTES
#3 (ordinary and a/c): Northern Bus
Terminal-Chatuchak Weekend
Market-Th Samsen-Th Phra Athit-Th
Sanam Chai-Th Triphet-Memorial
Bridge-Wat Suwan.
#25 (ordinary and a/c, 24hr): Eastern Bus
Terminal-Th Sukhumvit-Siam Square-
Hualamphong Station-Th Yaowarat (for
Chinatown and Wat Traimit)-Wat Pho-Tha
Chang (for the Grand Palace).
#53 circular (also anticlockwise; ordinary):
Thewes-Th Krung Kasem-Hualamphong
Station-Th Yaowarat-Th Maharat (for Wat
Pho and the Grand Palace)-Sanam
Luang-Th Phra Athit and Th Samsen (for
Banglamphu guesthouses)-Thewes.
#159 (ordinary): Southern Bus Terminal-
Phra Pinklao Bridge-Democracy

Monument-Hualamphong Station-MBK
Shopping Centre-Th Ratchaprarop-Victory
Monument-Chatuchak Weekend
Market-Northern Bus Terminal.
#511 (a/c, 24hr): Southern Bus Terminal-
Phra Pinklao Bridge-Rajdamnoen
Klang-Democracy Monument-Th Lan
Luang-Th Phetchaburi-Th Sukhumvit-
Eastern Bus Terminal-Pak Nam (for Muang
Boran Ancient City buses). Note, however,
that some #511 buses take the expressway,
missing out the Eastern Bus Terminal.
#512 (a/c): Northern Bus Terminal-
Chatuchak Weekend Market-Th
Phetchaburi-Th Lan Luang-Democracy
Monument (for Banglamphu guesthouses)-
Sanam Luang-Tha Chang (for Grand
Palace)-Pak Khlong Talat.