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Amazing Thailand - Maeklong - the market on the railway track. Click here.
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Thai Airways will cease to use Don Muang airport as a domestic airport - effective 29th March 2009
Don Muang airport opens as domestic airport - effective 25th March 2007
( with only very limited domestic connecting flights operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport )
** The following information should be checked with your travel agent **
Effective 25th March 2007, the old Don Muang airport will, to a large extent, become the domestic airport for Bangkok. The airport code for Don Muang is DMK, and that for Suvarnabhumi will remain as BKK.
Unfortunately for the international traveller, Thai Airways elected to move a large part of its domestic services to the old Don Muang Airport (DMK).
The other two players now at Don Muang airport are Nok Airlines ( a subsidiary of Thai Airways), and the local no-frills airline One-Two-Go (the domestic subsidiary of Orient-Thai airlines).
Bangkok Airways and budget carrier Thai AirAsia have however continued to operate from the new Suvarnabhumi airport.
Thai airways will operate the following flights to/from Don Muang (DMK):
All flights between Bangkok and Khon Kean (DMK/KKC)
All flights between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani (DMK/UBP)
All flights between Bangkok and Udon Thani (DMK/UTH)
All flights between Bangkok and Phitsabulok (DMK/PHS)
All flights between Bangkok and Hat Yai (DMK/HDY)
Selected flights between Bangkok(DMK) and Chiang Mai, Bangkok(DMK) and Chiang Rai, Bangkok(DMK) and Krabi, Bangkok(DMK) and Phuket(HKT)
The minimum connecting time between BKK and DMK is 3 hours 30 minutes. Passengers must commute by themselves from BKK to DMK by taxi or public bus 554 (but note that
public buses do not really cater for too much luggage).
Neither the Airport Authorities, nor Thai Airways, provide a bus service between the two airports.
Passengers must clear passport control (and collect their luggage) at BKK.
In addition, selected domestic flights will also operate between Suvarnabhumi Bangkok (BKK) and Chiang Mai, Suvarnabhumi Bangkok (BKK) and Chiang Rai, Bangkok (BKK) and Krabi, Suvarnabhumi Bangkok (BKK) and Phuket (HKT)
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New Bangkok Airport - Suvarnabhumi - opened 28th September 2006
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the new international (and very limited domestic) airport serving Bangkok, Thailand.
The airport is located 25 kilometers east of Bangkok, in Racha Thewa in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan Province.
The name Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-wan-na-poom) means "the golden land", specifically referring to the continental Indochina.
The 324 sq km plot of land occupied by the airport was originally purchased in 1973 but, due to a variety of economic and political reasons, the project was continually delayed.
Recent former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is often accredited with insisting on the final completion and opening of the airport. The project was a personal crusade for Thaksin Shinawatra, who once camped out on the building site to show his support.
The construction of the City Airport Terminal in Makkasan and a 28.6 km high-speed rail link to the new airport started in July 2005 and are planned for completion in November 2007 (but more likely sometime in 2009).
This airport express train service (informally known as the Pink Line) will connect with the BTS Sukhumvit Line and MRT Blue Line at Phaya Thai and Phetchaburi stations respectively, offering airport-bound passengers a fast 15-minute limited stop journey from the city.
Internally the airport itself is a concrete and steel affair, and if you enjoy a lot of walking, this is the airport for you. As indicated below, the airport is a long way from town - the proposed Pink Line train service will help tremendously in this respect.
It is a 60 minute drive (at least) to the airport from central Bangkok. Also note that after clearing immigration (20 minutes), it can take 15 minutes to the furthest domestic gate and 30 minutes to the furthest international gate. Allow plenty of time (minimum 3 hours) when departing your hotel in central Bangkok.
This is not an airport for which you can cut your timing a bit fine. The check-in desks also close early (due to the time required to clear immigration and walk to the gates).
However, if you are fortunate enough to stay at either the Shangri-La or The Peninsula hotels, then the fastest way to the airport is by helicopter from their own helipad. It has been reported that this service (especially from the Shangri-La hotel) is available to anyone who
has US$ 200 to spend.
Airport Layout
Although maybe initially confusing, and not withstanding the signs, notice the symmetric layout. Concourses A,B,C and E,F,G are connected by the long concourse D. Essentially, in one dimension, in front of concourse D are all the check-in desks and immigration.
There are two 'Thai houses' on the top (4th) floor at the junctions of A,B,C and E,F,G concourses. Having cleared immigration, or on transfer/arrival, these two Thai houses are good meeting points and a place to get your bearings. There are two transfer desks (on the 2nd floor) directly below the two Thai houses. The transfer desks only serve specific airlines. If you are at the wrong transfer desk, then you have a long walk down concourse D to the
other transfer desk. At the Thai houses, you can easily descend to level 3 (departures) and level 2 (arrivals/transfer desks/tiny smoking rooms/toilets).
The Public Transportation Centre is a 28-rai (42,000 sqm) space located near the Bangkok Catering Company building about 5 minutes (4 km) drive from the passenger terminal. It is dedicated to transportation via taxi, limousine, rented cars and buses. One can get to the Public Transportation Centre from the terminals via a shuttle bus at Level 2.
However public taxis are now allowed to pick up at the outer curb on Level 1.
Public Bus
Public buses run to and from several city destinations including Min-buri, Happy Land, Victory Monument, Bang Na, Samut Prakarn and Don Muang.
Catch the public buses at the Airport Public Transportation Centre.
- Public Bus Service to Bangkok and area
- Bus Number 549 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Minburi
- Bus Number 550 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Happy Land
- Bus Number 551 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Victory Monument BTS station (via Expressway)
- Bus Number 552 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Khlong Toei via Bang Na (On Nut BTS station)
- Bus Number 553 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Samut Prakan
- Bus Number 554 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Don Muang Airport (via Expressway)
- Bus Number 555 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Rangsit via Don Muang and Central Plaza Lad Phrao (via Expressway)
- Bus Number 556 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Southern Bus terminal via Democracy Monument and Khaosan Rd. (via Expressway)
- Bus Number 557 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Wong Wian Yai
- Bus Number 558 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Central Plaza Rama II
- Bus Number 559 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Future Park Rangsit via Dream World (via Expressway)
- Public Bus Service to other provinces
- Bus Number 389 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Pattaya
- Bus Number 390 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Talad Rong Kluea
- Bus Number 825 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - NongKha
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Airport Express Buses
Four dedicated express buses operate from (supposedly) 5.00am to midnight, at a fixed rate of 150 baht per person.
Each of the AE services operate at approx. 40 minute intervals. However, bus AE1 does appear to be the most regular.
Bus AE4 is rather limited and only operates about every one hour from approx. 07.30am to approx. 5.45pm
It is unclear if bus 'AE3 special' is still operational.
Catch these buses at Level 1 (exit 8) of the Terminal.
You will be asked to specify your destination drop-off point to the driver/assistant staff. Some drop-off points will be skipped (to the extent that sometimes a very very slightly different route
will occur), if there are no passengers for a particular drop-off point.
The buses do not seem to rest at the very final destination; instead they will swing straight back towards the airport.
Accordingly be careful about your pick-up point from Bangkok back to the airport, although in actual fact the return buses to the airport are usually almost empty.
For the return journey, bus AE1 always seems to honour the hospital in Silom road, Sala Daeng BTS (under the iron bridge - make sure you are on the correct side of the street), and especially
Central World. It is assumed that bus AE3 also always honours Central World. The ticket collector/inspector seems to be based at Central World for these two routes (and for AE1, at least, you will pay him
the ticket money for the return journey when the bus reaches Central World).
A typical journey time is 1 hour 20 minutes by AE bus.
Additional details can be found at www.bangkokairportonline.com
- AE 1 to Silom - via Expressway.
( Bangna-Trad – Chaloem Mahanakhon Express Road – Phetburi – Ratchadamri – Rama IV – Surawong – Central World - Sala Daeng BTS -
Silom Road )
- AE 2 to Khaosan Road - via Expressway.
( Bangna-Trad – Chaloem Mahanakhon Express Road – Phetburi – Lan Luang – Ratchadamnoen Klang – Ratchadamnoen Nai –
Na Phra Lan – Na Phra That – Rachini – Phra Athit – Phra Sumen – Chakkraphong – Khao San – Bang Lamphu )
- AE 3 to On Nut BTS, Sukhumvit, Nana, Pratunam, Central World Plaza and Ploenchit.
( Bangna-Trad – Sukhumwit – Bangna – Phra Kanong – Ekkamai – Asok – Phloen Chit – Wireless – Rama IV – Ratchadamri – Phetburi –
Wireless – Phloen Chit )
AE 3 special
( Bangna-Trad – Sukhumwit – Bangna – Phra Kanong – Ekkamai – Asok – Phloen Chit – Ratchadamri – Phetburi – Sukhumwit 3 (Nana Nua) )
- AE 4 to Hualamphong train station - via Expressway.
( Bangna-Trad – Chaloem Mahanakhon Express Road – Srirat Express – Phahon Yothin – Victory Monument – Phya Thai –
Rama IV – Hua Lamphong Railway Station )
Suvarnabhumi by train
Until the new train airport link is completed in 2009, there is a cheap alternative at approx. 50 baht.
The nearest railway station to the airport is at Hua Takhe which on the Eastern railway line network. There is an air-conditioned bus No 517 from the airport transportation centre to Hua Takhe railway station.
The bus journey time is 15 minutes. The main problem however is that this bus service is reported to run every two hours now, due to poor publicity and lack of use - you may have to use a 80 baht taxi for this small sector.
A suburban commuter train, operated by the State Railway of Thailand, runs from Bangkok Hua Lamphong station to Hua Takhe - journey time is about one hour. Stops include Don Muang, Phaya Thai (BTS connection) and Asoke (MRT Phetchaburi connection).
The railway timetable is at www.railway.co.th/timetable/N_Eg.html (Note that the full english version seems incomplete and out of date)
Hotels
The official hotel of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the four star Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, which opened on 1st September 2006. The Novotel have a courtesy bus every ten minutes (24 hrs per day) from Level 2 (arrivals level) at exit 4 gate.
A footbridge connecting the hotel to the airport is not yet operational. However it is still possible to walk, in a few minutes, from the rear of the hotel to the airport ( level 1 ) via an underground car park.
There is also a very comfortable two star budget hotel, Queen's Garden Resort, (US$ 30 per night), within five minutes ( 3 km ) of the airport.
All other hotels are at least a 15 to 20 minute drive from the new airport.
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To Phuket ...
from Bangkok
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By Air
Thai Airways operates several flights per day from Bangkok to Phuket.
Budget carriers Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, and One-to-Go also operate daily flights
each, between Bangkok and Phuket. Flying time is one hour and twenty minutes.
International travellers arriving in Bangkok, in transit, on Thai Airways flights may choose Phuket rather
than Bangkok for Passport and Customs formalities.
By Bus
There is a good regular daily inter-provincial bus service from Bangkok to Phuket, from the southern bus terminal in Boromratchchonnani Rd, Thonburi, Bangkok, (Tel: (02) 435-1200, 434-7192.)
The VIP air-conditioned buses, or the Government 1st class air-con bus, are recommended.
For example the VIP24 buses offer more leg room, having only 24 seats instead of the usual 36; they also have a TV and a toilet;
they make one stop at a restaurant. VIP buses usually only leave early evening (approx 6pm) in both directions.
Allow fourteen hours travel time to Phuket.
The inter-provincial bus terminus in Phuket Town is in Phang-Nga Rd.
The ordinary buses offer less comfort, although they do travel during daylight
hours, usually departing early morning, but they can add upto two hours to the journey time.
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By Train
Catch a train from Bangkok to Phun Phin station in Surat Thani. Phuket itself has no rail connection. Then catch a bus to Phuket.
There is a good regular service from Hualomphong Station in Bangkok. There are various classes of seating available (price range approximately 200 baht to 1100 baht) but First class or 2nd class with air-con is recommended.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at all main stations or the Bangkok Advance Booking office (Tel. (02) 225-0300 ext 5200-3). The journey time can take 12 hours.
An overnight sleeper service is also available, arriving early morning at Surat Thani.
For information contact the State Railway of Thailand in Bangkok:-
Tel: +66 2 225 0300 Fax: +66 2 225 3801
info@srt.or.th www.srt.or.th
For schedule information contact:-
Tel: +66 2 220 4334 or the schedule website.
Proceed overland by bus from Surat Thani. The bus ride will take 4 hours. Alternatively, there are flights from Surat Thani to Phuket (Tel: Air Andaman in Phuket +66 76 351374-5).
Car Hire
Travelling by road from Bangkok, take Highway 4 (or Route 35 and then pick up Highway 4 north of Phetchaburi) passing through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong on the
west coast of peninsula Thailand, and on down to Takua Pa, still on Route 4. Pass through KhaoLak and finally onto route 402 to Phuket. The road system is good and well sign-posted throughout. Journey time is roughly 13 hours for the 850km distance.
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via a Singapore cruise
There are several superb quality cruise ships departing from Singapore and Malaysia (Penang and Langkawi), which include a stop-over in Phuket.
Needless to say these cruises operate a casino in international waters.
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other cruises
Five major cruise lines plan to include Phuket in their regional itineraries by the year 2009.
These are Holland American, Seabourn Cruise Line, Star Clipper, Oceania Cruises and ResidenSea.
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from Ko Samui / Surat Thani
There are one or two daily return flights from Ko Samui to Ko Phuket, operated by budget carrier Bangkok Airways.
By road from Surat Thani, take route 401 heading west to Takua Pa (a distance of 150 km). The route takes you past the spectacular Khao Sok National Park and Dam. At Takua Pa follow the coast due south on route 4, past
Khao Lak, and finally meeting up with Phuket route 402.
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from Krabi
The three hour journey from Krabi to Phuket by road takes you initially along route 4, through Phang-Nga town.
At the village of Khok Kloi, turn left, and head south on route 402 towards Phuket island via the Sarasin bridge.
There is a regular bus service from Krabi direct to Phuket.
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VIP Helicopter Service operated by Advance Aviation
Advance Aviation opened a helipad in Phuket in January 2009 to cater for high-end tourists and business travellers. The operation serves clients in Phuket and surrounding provinces.
The helipad, hanger and offices are located at Sakoo, Phuket on the old airport road about 2 km south of Phuket International airport.
Flights only operate in daylight hours. A thirty minute trip typically costs around US$ 2,250.
They use a EC130 model helicopter from Eurocopter - in VIP configuration with six passenger seats. This model is the quietest in its size class.
The Eurocopter EC 130 is a single-engine, helicopter manufactured by the Eurocopter Group. Worldwide it is used amongst police and ambulance services, and for executive transport.
It is equipped with the new starflex main Rotor for added strength and weight reduction.
The EC130 features an enclosed tail fan rather than the traditional tail rotor. This has the advantage of reducing outside noise by 50% compared to a tail rotor.
The max speed is 287 km/hr with a range of 610 km.
Advance Aviation is one of three helicopter operators in Thailand, and is the only one that specifically caters for the VIP market.
Contact:
Advance Aviation
105/29 Rom Klao Road, Moo 5 Minburi district,
Bangkok 10510
Tel: 02 915 3212 Call Centre (24 hrs): 085 055 4444
Email: info@advanceaviation.co.th Website: http://www.advanceaviation.co.th
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Destination Air Shuttle - seaplane service
Thailand's only seaplane shuttle service opens on 1st February 2007. It is operated by Destination Air Shuttle, which, for convenience for connecting flights, has its HQ at Phuket International airport.
It will carry passengers from locations along Andaman coastal areas from Ranong, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, Ko Lanta, Khao Lak and Trang. Note that some routes are seasonal (high season only).
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Travelling about in Phuket
Travelling around Phuket is very easy and there are several options. |
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At the International airport, minibuses (mainly operated by the hotels) and Taxis operate to all areas of the island. You can expect to pay upto 500 baht for a taxi amd 150 baht for a shared minibus.
From July 2005, there will be an airport minibus service from the International airport to Phuket town for a fare of 52 baht. The service will stop at four locations: Pranangsang Temple (Thepkrasattri Rd in Thalang), the Heriones' Monument, Tesco-Lotus and Surakul Stadium on Wichet Songkram Rd.
Phuket also has a few metered Taxis, especially in Phuket Town. More metered taxis are gradually being introduced island-wide.
The famous Tuk Tuks are everywhere. Very popular for short or intermediate trips, but not as cheap as they used to be. Your bargaining skills will be needed at times.
Local open-air buses in the form of Songthaews ply their way all over the island. The songthaew, which literally means, "two rows" is essentially named after the two parallel benches in the rear. They are bright blue in colour and very cheap.
There are no designated bus stops, and songthaews can be waved down anywhere. The local bus station in Phuket town is in Ranong road, next to the market opposite the main Thai Airways International office.
New air-conditioned micro buses operate in Phuket town and its immediate vicinity only. They are again very cheap, but do use designated bus stops.
Motor cycle taxis operate everywhere and go anywhere on a 24hr basis, and are fine for short distances. The motorcyclists wear red or green vests, and are easily recognisable. Typically they gather outside stores, or in the shade on street corners; or flag them down as they drive along.
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Car hire. A wide range of cars, jeeps and a few four wheel drive vehicles can be hired from major hotels and private operators. There are also several car hire agents across the road from the International airport.
Carry your International driving license, or country license,
at all times. The rental price drops, the longer the hire period. Ensure you are covered for adequate insurance.
Motor Cycles can be rented almost anywhere, especially mopeds such as the Honda Dream.
Please excercise extreme caution on the roads, and you should be aware that motor cycles do not carry any insurance.
In the event of an accident, whether your fault or not, you will be
immediately liable for the cost of all repairs and medical expenses.
There are a few speciality hire shops for big bikes for the real enthusiast (eg. on Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong), offering road cruisers (including Harleys) and dirt bikes.
Boats to nearby islands:-
The largest port is Ao Chalong with boats of all sizes, including cruisers of the tour companies, to assist in package tours and day trips to nearby islands.
Rawai Beach, on the south of the island, is the historical local port. Here, long-tail boats can be chartered to nearby islands ( such as Ko He, Ko Racha Yai, Ko Mai Thon, Ko Lon ).
From Patong Beach long-tail boats visit nearby beaches.
Other ports & moorings are at Boat Lagoon (Ao Sapam) and Ao Makham (Phanwa Cape).
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