Transport in Thailand

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Tuk-tuks are a major form, public transport in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.
Intensive use of a motorycle 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 motorbikes dominating in rural areas for short trips, supplanting bicycles. Road transportation is the primary form of freight transport across the country. Slow rail travel has long been a rural long distance transport mechanism, though plans are underway to expand services with high speed rail lines extending to several major regions of Thailand. Domestic air transport, which until recently had been dominated by a select few air carriers, has recently seen a surge in popularity due in large part to the expanding services of low cost carriers. In Bangkok, Pattaya, and other large cities, public motorbike taxis take people door to door. An overwhelming number of taxis can also be found in Bangkok. Since the country's first rapid rail transit line opened in 1999 in Bangkok, daily ridership on Bangkok's various transit lines has risen to over 800,000, with multiple additional lines either under construction or being proposed. Private automobiles, whose rapid growth contributed to Bangkok's notorious traffic congestion over the past two decades, has risen in popularity, especially among tourists, expats, upper class and a growing middle class. A motorway network across Thailand has been gradually implemented, with motorways completed in Bangkok and most of central Thailand. 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 (372.63 km double track and 106.01 km triple track).

[edit] Metro systems

Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with a metro and Tour bus service system:

[edit] Proposed Metro Systems

[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 into divided four-lane highways, 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

Thailand uses the expressway term for the toll road or highway network. Most of expressways are elevated with some sections on the ground level. The current expressway network covers major parts of Bangkok and suburban areas. Expressways are used to avoid heavy traffic jams in Bangkok and reduce traffic time, but are sometimes congested in rush hour.

[edit] Bus service

Buses are a major method of transportation for people and packages, and are the most popular means of long distance travel. Tour and VIP class long-distance buses tend to be luxurious, while city- and other-class buses are often very colorful with paint schemes and advertising. 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), motorbike 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.

[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.

[icon] This section requires expansion.

[edit] Ports and harbors

[edit] Merchant marine

[edit] Pipelines

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.metrobusbkk.com/index.php
  2. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsX7DGP5w9c

[edit] External links

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

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