Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Klorng Boats
Canal taxi boats run along Khlong Saen Saep (Banglamphu to Ramkhamhaeng) and are an easy way to get between
Banglamphu and Jim Thompson's House, the Siam Sq shopping centres -get off at Tha Saphan Hua Chang for both -
and other points further east along Th Sukhumvit after a mandatory change of boat at Tha Pratunam . These boats are
mostly used by daily commuters and pull into the piers for just a few seconds - jump straight on or you'll be left behind.
Fares range from 10B to 20B and boats run from 5.30am to 8.30pm.
Motorcycle Taxis
Motorcycle taxis (known as
motorsai
) serve two purposes in Bangkok. Most commonly and popularly they form an in-
tegral part of the public-transport network, running from the corner of a main thoroughfare, such as Th Sukhumvit, to
the far ends of sois that run off that thoroughfare. Riders wear coloured, numbered vests and gather at either end of their
soi, usually charging 10B to 20B for the trip (without a helmet unless you ask).
Their other purpose is as a means of beating the traffic. You tell your rider where you want to go, negotiate a price
(from 20B for a short trip up to about 150B going across town), strap on the helmet (they will insist for longer trips) and
say a prayer to whichever god you're into.
For more information see the boxed text on Bangkok's
motorsai
(
Click here
).
Túk-Túk
Bangkok's iconic túk-túk (pronounced
đúk đúk;
a type of motorised rickshaw) are used by Thais for short hops not
worth paying the taxi flag fall for. For foreigners, however, these emphysema-inducing machines are part of the
Bangkok experience, so despite the fact they overcharge outrageously and you can't see anything due to the low roof,
pretty much everyone takes a túk-túk at least once. It's worth knowing, however, that túk-túk are notorious for taking
little 'detours' to commission-paying gem and silk shops and massage parlours. En route to 'special' temples, you'll
meet 'helpful' locals who will steer you to even more rip-off opportunities. Ignore anyone offering too-good-to-be-true
10B trips.
The vast majority of túk-túk drivers ask too much from tourists (expat
fa·ràng
never use them). Expect to be quoted a
100B fare, if not more, for even the shortest trip. Try bargaining them down to about 60B for a short trip, preferably at
night when the pollution (hopefully) won't be quite so bad. Once you've done it, you'll find taxis are cheaper, cleaner,
cooler and quieter.
Car
For short-term visitors, you will find parking and driving a car in Bangkok more trouble than it is worth. If you need
private transport, consider hiring a car and driver through your hotel or hire a taxi driver that you find trustworthy. One
reputable operator is
Julie Taxi
( 08 1846 2014, 08 5115 5455;
www.facebook.com/TourWithJulie
Taxi), which of-
fers a variety of vehicles and excellent service.
But if you still want to give it a go, all the big car-hire companies have offices in Bangkok and at Suvarnabhumi air-
port. Rates start at around 1000B per day for a small car. A passport plus a valid licence from your home country (with
English translation if necessary) or an International Driving Permit are required for all rentals.
Reliable car-hire companies include the following, all of which also have counters at Suvarnabhumi International Air-
port:
