Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tours
Many operators around the world can arrange guided tours of Thailand. Most of them simply serve as brokers for tour
companies based in Thailand. The better tour companies build their own Thailand itineraries from scratch and choose
their local suppliers based on which best serve these itineraries. Many are now offering 'voluntourism' programs, which
means that you might buy lunch for an orphanage, visit a hospital or teach an English class in addition to sightseeing.
Asian Trails
(
www.asiantrails.inf
o
) Tour operator that runs programs for overseas brokers; trips include a mix of on-
and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Hands Up Holidays
(
www.handsupholidays.com
) Volunteer tourism and village sightseeing programs.
I-to-I
(
www.i-to-i.com
) Volunteer tourism and gap-year programs.
Intrepid Travel
(
www.intrepidtravel.com
) Specialises in small-group travel geared towards young people.
Isan Explorer
(
www.isanexplorer.com
)
Custom tours to the northeast.
Mekong Cruises
(
www.cruisemekong.com
) Float down the mighty river aboard an elegant vessel.
Orient Express
(
www.orient-express.com
)
High-end luxury tours of common and uncommon places in Thailand.
Spice Roads
(
www.spiceroads.com
)
Variety of regional cycling programs.
Tour de Thailand
(
www.tourdethailand.com
) Charity bike ride organiser covering touring routes throughout the coun-
try.
Tours with Kasma Loha-Unchit
(
www.thaifoodandtravel.com
) Thai cookbook author offers personalised 'cultural im-
mersion' tours of Thailand.
Train
Thailand's train system connects the four corners of the country and is most convenient as an alternative to buses for the
long journey north to Chiang Mai or south to Surat Thani. The train is also ideal for short trips to Ayuthaya and Lopburi
from Bangkok where traffic is a consideration.
The 4500km rail network is operated by the
State Railway of Thailand
(SRT; 1690;
www.railway.co.th
)
and
covers four main lines: the northern, southern, northeastern and eastern lines. All long-distance trains originate from
Bangkok's Hualamphong station.
Classes
The SRT operates passenger trains in three classes - 1st, 2nd and 3rd - but each class varies considerably depending on
whether you're on an ordinary, rapid or express train.
First Class
- Private cabins define the 1st-class carriages, which are available only on rapid, express and special-ex-
press trains.
Second Class
- The seating arrangements in a 2nd-class, non-sleeper carriage are similar to those on a bus, with pairs of
padded seats, usually recliners, all facing towards the front of the train. On 2nd-class sleeper cars, pairs of seats face one
another and convert into two fold-down berths. The lower berth has more headroom than the upper berth and this is re-
