Bangkok’s heaving traffic is legendary, presenting a constant challenge for residents and visitors to the city. River and canal boats, along with recently completed BTS skytrain and MRT subway systems, offer some reliable alternatives to getting jammed on the road. Nonetheless, traffic remains horrendous, particularly mid-week. Below is a layman’s guide to unner-city transport options.
ROAD

TAXI

   Bangkok has thousands of metered, air- con equipped taxis available 24 hours, Flag fall is B35 (for the first 2kms) and the fare climbs in B2 increments. Be sure the driver switches the metre on at the start of the ride. No tipping is required, but rounding the fare up to the nearest B5 or B 10 is common. Additional pas sengers are not charged, nor is baggage. For trips to/from the airport, the pas sengers should pay the expressway toll fees. When boarding from the taxi queue outside of airport arrivals, an additional B50 is added to the metered fare,

TUK-TUK

   Those three-wheeled taxis (or samlors) are nick-named tuk tuks, named for the steady whir of their engines. They are popular amongst tourists and can be fun for short trips around town. A I 0-minute ride should cost around B40, but fares always have to be bargained before boarding. Beware: if a tuk-tuk driver of fers to deliver you an>where in town for as low as B 10, it’s part of a setup that will lead you to an overpriced souvenir or jewellery shop. It would be very wise to decline any such offers.

MOTORCYCLE TAXI

   In Bangkok’s hevy traffic, motorcycle taxis are the fastest, albeit most dangerous, form of road transport. Easy recognisable by their orange vests, motorbike taxi drivers gather in groups by department stores, at the end of long sois or by tourist spots. As with tuk-tuks, fares definitely have to be negotiated be forehand.

BUS

   Bangkok has an extensive and inexpensive public bus service. Both open-air and air-conditioned vehicles are available, respectively for B6 and B8-B20. Pink-white mini buses are a little more expensive (B25 per person) but seats are guaranteed. As most destinations are noted only in Thai, it is ad visable to get a bus route map (available at hotels, TAT offices and bookshops).

RAIL

SKYTRAIN

   The Bangkok Transit System, or BTS, is a two-line elevated train network covering the major commercial areas. Trains run every few minutes from 6am to midnight, making the BTS a quick and reliable trans port option, especially during heavy traffic jams. Fares range from B I 0 to B40; special tourist passes allowing unlimited travel for one day (B 100) or three days (B280) are available. BTS also provides free shuttle buses which transit passengers to and from stations and nearby areas.

For more information: www.bts.co.th/en

SUBWAY

   Launched in 2004, Bangkok’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is another fast and reliable way to get across town. The I B-station line stretches 20kms from Hualamphong (near the central railway station) up to Bang Sue in the north. Subways run from 6am to midnight daily, with trains arriving every 5-7 minutes, The underground connects with the BTS at MRT Silom/BTS Sala Daeng, MRT SukhumvitlBTS Asok and MRT Jatujak Park/BTS Mo Chit stations. Subway fares range from B I 4 to B 3 I.

For more information: www.bangkokmetro.co.th

RIVER

EXPRESS RIVER BOAT

Bangkok’s vast network of inter-city wa terways offers a quick and colourful al ternative for getting around the city. Express boats ply the Chao Phraya River from Taksin Bridge up to Nonthabun, stopping at some 20 main piers. Fares range from B5 to 815 depending on the distance. Tickets can either be bought on the boat or at the pier Boats depart every 20 minutes or so between 5:30am and 6pm. Cross- river services operate throughout the day at each pier for the modest sum of B I -B2.

CANAL BOAT

Khlong Saen Saep canal boats operate from Banglamphu across the city to Ramkhamhaeng University. Canal boats tend to be frequent and cost around B5 to B I 5.Tickets are bought onboard. Note that the piers are a little hidden away, which makes them sometimes difficult to find.

source : bangkok101 magazine