Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tickets
In some cases, eg when travelling to neighbouring countries or to domestic destinations, it is still convenient to use a
travel agent in Thailand. The amount of commission an agent will charge often varies so shop around. Paying by credit
card generally offers protection, as most card issuers provide refunds if you can prove you didn't get what you paid for.
Agents who accept only cash should hand over the tickets straightaway and not tell you to 'come back tomorrow'.
After you've made a booking or paid a deposit, call the airline to confirm the booking was made.
Airfares during the high season (December to March) can be expensive.
Land
Thailand shares land borders with Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar. Travel between all of these countries can
be done by land via sanctioned border crossings.
Bus, Car & Motorcycle
Road connections exist between all of Thailand's neighbours, and these routes can be travelled by bus, shared taxi and
private car. In some cases, you'll take a bus to the border point, pass through immigration and then pick up another bus
or shared taxi on the other side. In other cases, especially when crossing the Malaysian border, the bus will stop for im-
migration formalities and then continue to its destination across the border.
Train
Thailand's and Malaysia's state railways meet at Butterworth (93km south of the Thai-Malaysian border), which is a
transfer point to Penang (by boat) or to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore (by Malaysian train).
There are several border crossings for which you can take a train to the border and then switch to automobile trans-
port on the other side. The Thai-Cambodian border crossing of Aranya Prathet to Poipet and the Thai-Laos crossing of
Nong Khai to Vientiane are two examples.
Another rail line travels to the Malaysian east-coast border town of Sungai Kolok, but because of ongoing violence
in Thailand's Deep South we don't recommend this route for travellers.
Border Crossings
CAMBODIA
Cambodian tourist visas are available at the border for US$20, though some borders charge 1500B. Bring a passport
photo and try to avoid the runner boys who want to issue a health certificate or other 'medical' paperwork for addition-
al fees.
The most direct land route between Bangkok and Angkor Wat is Aranya Prathet to Poipet. Several more remote
crossings include O Smach to Chong Chom (periodically closed due to fighting at Khao Phra Wihan) and Chong Sa to
Ngam Choam, but they aren't as convenient as you'll have to hire private transport (instead of a share taxi) on the
Cambodian side of the border.
Hat Lek to Krong Koh Kong
The coastal crossing for those heading to/from Ko Chang/Sihanoukville.
Pong Nam Ron to Pailin
A backdoor route from Ko Chang (via Chanthaburi) to Battambang and Angkor Wat.
