Transport in Thailand

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Tuk-tuks are a major form of public transport in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.

Transport in Thailand is varied and chaotic, with no one dominant means of transport. Bus transport dominates in long distances and Bangkok, with motorcycles dominating in rural areas for short trips, supplanting bicycles. In Bangkok, public motorcycle taxis take people to their front door. Slow rail travel has long been a rural long distance transport mechanism. An overwhelming number of taxis can be found in Bangkok. Recently there has been a surge in air travel, urban rail, and private automobiles, especially among tourists, expats, upper class and growing middle class. Areas with navigable waterways often have boats or boat service, and many innovative means of transport exist such as tuk-tuk, vanpool, songthaew, or even elephants in rural areas.

Contents

[edit] Rail transport in Thailand

Main article: Rail transport in Thailand

The State Railway of Thailand operates 4,070 km of 1.000-m gauge railway line (294.63 km double track and 106.01 km triple track).

[edit] Metro systems

Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with a metro system:

[edit] Rail links to adjacent countries

[edit] Maps

[edit] Towns served by rail

[edit] Time line

[edit] 2006

[edit] Road transport in Thailand

Highway Sign
Motorway 9 Toll Section
  • Total: 64,600 km
    • Paved: 62,985 km
    • Unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)

[edit] Thai highway network

Main article: Thai highway network

The Thai highway network links every part of Thailand. The four lane highways often have overhead concrete pedestrian crossings interspersed about every 250 meters in populated areas. There are no on and off ramps, highways are separated by median with breakage for U-turns, except in Bangkok where ramp style U-turns predominate.

A number of undivided two lane highways have been converted meh to divided 4 lane highway, greatly enhancing safety and speed. A Bangkok - Chon Buri motorway (Route 7) now links to the new airport and Eastern Seaboard.

[edit] Thai motorway network

Main article: Thai motorway network

The Thai motorway network is small. Coupled with Bangkok's extensive expressway network, the motorways provide a relief from regular traffic in Bangkok. The Thai Government is planning infrastructure investment in various "megaprojects", including motorway expansion to approximately 4,500 kilometers.

[edit] Thai expressway network

Main article: Thai expressway network

Thailand use expressway term for the toll road or highway network. Most of expressway are elevated which some section on the ground. Current expressway network covers major parts of Bangkok and suburb area. Expressway often use to avoid heavy traffic jams in Bangkok and reduce traffic time, but sometimes congested in rush hour.

[edit] Bus service

Buses are a major method of transportation for people and packages, and the most popular means of long distance travel. Tour and VIP class long distance buses tend to be luxurious and tall, while city and other class buses are often very colorful with paint schemes and advertising, and tend to be about the same size as a North American school bus. Bangkok city buses come in various sizes, types, and prices, from half size, full size, double length, open window, fan, and air conditioned.

[edit] Alternative transport

Includes tuk-tuk, taxi, van (minibus), motorcycle taxi, songthaew, boats (in canals and rivers).

[edit] Air transport

[edit] Airports

Main article: List of airports in Thailand
  • Total: 106 (1999 est.)
A Boeing 747-400 of the national carrier Thai Airways
Suvarnabhumi Airport Thailand

Major international airports

With paved runways

  • Total: 56 (1999 est.)
    • Over 3,047 m: 6
    • 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
    • 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
    • 914 to 1,523 m: 18
    • Under 914 m: 4

With unpaved runways

  • Total: 50 (1999 est.)
    • 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
    • 914 to 1,523 m: 16
    • Under 914 m: 33

Heliports

  • Total: 17 (2007 est.)

[edit] Airlines of Thailand

Main article: List of airlines of Thailand

[edit] Waterways

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province
  • Principal waterways: 3,999 km
    • 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year.
    • Numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft, such as long-tailed boats.

[edit] River and canal transport

In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is a major transportation artery, with ferries, water taxis (the Chao Phraya Express) and long-tailed boats. There are local, semi express, and express lines for commuters, though the river winds a lot, which can make the trip much farther than by bus. There is also the Khlong Saen Saeb boat service, which provides fast, inexpensive transport in central Bangkok, albeit stinky.

[edit] Ferries

Ferry service between hundreds of islands and the mainland is available, as well as across navigable rivers, such as Chao Phraya and Mae Khong (Mekong). There are a number of international ferries.

Wiki letter w.svg
 Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (February 2009)

[edit] Ports and harbors

[edit] Merchant marine

[edit] Pipelines

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook.


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