Bangkok & Around - Thailand - page 269

departs from here. The easiest way to reach the station is by taxi, or you can take bus 79,
159, 201 or 516 from Th Ratchadamnoen Klang, or bus 40 or a minivan from the Victory
Monument.
Suvarnabhumi Public Transport Centre ( 0 2132 1888; Suvarnabhumi Airport) Located 3km from
Suvarnabhumi International Airport, this terminal has relatively frequent departures to
points east and northeast including Aranya Prathet (for the Cambodian border), Chan-
thaburi, Ko Chang, Nong Khai (for the Lao border), Pattaya, Rayong, Trat and Udon Th-
ani. It can be reached from the airport by a free shuttle bus.
MINIVAN
Privately run minivans, called rót đôo, are a fast and relatively comfortable way to get
between Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces. Minivans bound for a number of des-
tinations wait at various points around the Victory Monument.
TRAIN
Hualamphong Train Station ( 0 2220 4334, nationwide call centre 1690; www.railway.co.th ; off Th Phra Ram IV;
Hua Lamphong exit 2) Hualamphong is the terminus for the main rail services to the south,
north, northeast and east.
Bookings can be made in person at the advance booking office (just follow the signs;
open from 8.30am to 4pm). The other ticket windows are for same-day purchases, mostly
3rd class. From 5am to 8.30am and 4pm to 11pm, advance bookings can also be made at
windows 2 to 11. You can obtain a train timetable from the information window. Ignore
smiling 'information' staff who try to direct all arrivals to outside travel agencies.
Hualamphong has the following services: shower room, mailing centre, luggage stor-
age, cafes and food courts. To get to the station from Sukhumvit take the MRT to the Hua
Lamphong stop. From western points (Banglamphu, Thewet), take bus 53.
Bangkok Noi (off Th Itsaraphap; Wongwian Yai exit 4 & taxi) Bangkok Noi handles infrequent (and
overpriced for foreigners) services to Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi. The station can
be reached by river ferry to Tha Rot Fai. Tickets can be bought at the station.
Wong Wian Yai (off Th Phra Jao Taksin; Wongwian Yai exit 4 & taxi) This tiny station is the jumping-
off point of the Mahachai Shortline commuter line to Samut Sakhon.
Getting Around
Although Bangkok's rush-hour traffic is the stuff of nightmares, seemingly random acts of
embouteillage (gridlock) can impede even the shortest trip, any day, any time. If it's an