Page 206 - TICA'S MICE GUIDE TO THAILAND 2018-2019

Taxis Tuk tuks
Finding a taxi in Bangkok is not a hassle, Tuk tuks are a must-try for all first-time visitors
especially around hotels, shopping malls and in Bangkok. These open-air three-wheelers are
other tourist attractions. All taxis are metered a handy way to zip through traffic and across
and the fare begins at B35. Afterwards, the town. Although ideal when making short trips,
price gradually increases by B2 per km. tuk tuks are unmetered, so it’s best to agree on
Available taxis are the ones with a glowing the price prior to getting on.
vacant sign. Most drivers, however, have limited
English vocabulary, therefore travellers should Bus Terminals
opt for Google maps or translation methods in There are three main bus terminals in Bangkok
order to bridge the communication gap. There operating to all parts of Thailand. The largest
are also app-based alternatives to the tradi- terminal, Mo Chit, commutes to destinations
tional taxis that operate in Bangkok. in the north and northeast, including Isaan,
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Buses for the east
Riverboats coast, including Pattaya and Rayong, depart
Travelling by boat along the Chao Phraya River from Ekamai bus station. Lastly, buses for south-
is a great way to get around Bangkok. The city ern Thailand, including Koh Samui, Phuket and
has two boat systems: The Chao Phraya River Krabi, depart from Sai Tai Taling Chan, which
Ferry System and the Canal Ferry System. is located on the Thonburi side of the Chao
There is also the tourist boat, which stops Phraya River in Bangkok.
wherever requested and provides access to
attractions like Wat Arun, Grand Palace and
Wat Pho. Most commuter boats run from 5am
to about 7pm, and fares are cheap – you can get
just about anywhere for B11 to B25, depending
on the distance and type of boat. Travellers can
choose from express boat river taxis, long tail
boats, river crossing ferries, hotel shuttle boats,
canal boats and river cruises.

204 MICE GUIDE TO THAILAND