Thailand - Understand & Survival (Chapter)

TRANSPORT

LAND

Another rail line travels to

the Malaysian east coast bor-

der town of Sungai Kolok, but

because of ongoing violence

in Thailand’s Deep South we

don’t recommend this route

for travellers.

Border Crossings

CAMBODIA

Cambodian tourist visas

are available at the border

for US$20, though some

borders charge 1200B. Bring

a passport photo and try to

avoid some of the runner

boys who want to issue a

health certifi cate or other

‘medical’ paperwork for ad-

ditional fees.

Aranya Prathet to Poipet

(p 501 ) The most direct land

route between Bangkok and

Angkor Wat.

Hat Lek to Krong Koh

Kong (p 217 ) The coastal

crossing for travellers

heading to/from Ko Chang/

Sihanoukville.

Pong Nam Ron to Pai-

lin (p 212 ) A backdoor

route from Ko Chang (via

Chanthaburi) to Battambang

and Angkor Wat.

Several more remote cross-

ings include O Smach to

Chong Chom (periodic ally

closed due to fi ghting at

Khao Phra Wihan) and Chong

Sa to Ngam Choam, but they

aren’t as convenient as you’ll

have to hire private transport

(instead of a shared taxi) on

the Cambodian side of the

border.

CHINA

With an increase in infra-

structure the interior of

southern China is now linked

with Laos and northern

Thailand, making it possible

to travel somewhat directly

between the two countries.

You’ll need to arrange your

Chinese visa prior to depar-

ture, ideally in Bangkok or

Chiang Mai.

It was once also possible

to travel overland from the

Thai town of Mae Sai through

Myanmar and across the

border near Mong La to the

Chinese town of Daluo, but

this border has been closed

since 2005.

Chiang Khong to Mengla

(p 333 ) The China–Thai-

land highway (Rte 3) was

a former opium smug-

gling trail that has been

modernised into a major

transnational shipping

route. The 1800km of paved

road between Kunming, in

China’s Yunnan Province, to

Bangkok is still missing one

vital link: the fourth Thai-Lao

Friendship Bridge (at Chiang

Khong-Huay Xai) across

the Mekong River, which is

projected to be completed

in 2014. Meanwhile the

crossing is done by boat and

buses leave from the Lao

town of Huay Xai.

Chiang Saen to Jinghong

(p 329 ) A slow boat travels

along the Mekong River from

northern Thailand to China’s

Yunnan Province.

LAOS

It is fairly hassle free to cross

into Laos from northern

Thailand and northeastern

Thailand. Lao visas (US$30

to US$42) can be obtained

on arrival and applications

require a passport photo.

Nong Khai to Vientiane

(p 468 ) The first Thai-Lao

Friendship Bridge spans this

section of the Mekong River

and is the main transport

gateway between the two

countries. Nong Khai is eas-

ily reached by train or bus

from Bangkok.

Chiang Khong to Huay

Xai (p 333 ) A popular cross-

ing that links northern Thai-

land and Chiang Mai with

Luang Prabang via boat.

Mukdahan to Savanna-

khet (p 495 ) The second

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

provides a trilateral link

between Thailand, Laos and

Vietnam.

Nakhon Phanom to Tha

Khaek (p 485 ) The third

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

is scheduled for completion

in late 2011.

Chong Mek to Vangtao

(p 442 ) On the Thai side, the

border is best accessed via

Ubon Ratchathani and is a

good option for transiting to

Pakse (on the Lao side).

Remote crossings include

Bueng Kan to Paksan (p 480 ;

Lao visas must be arranged

in advance), Tha Li to Kaen

Thao (p 473 ; requires char-

tered transport) and Ban

Huay Kon to Muang Ngeun

(p 348 ).

BICYCLE TRAVEL IN THAILAND

For travelling just about anywhere outside Bangkok,

bicycles are an ideal form of local transport – cheap,

nonpolluting and slow moving enough to allow travel-

lers to see everything. Bicycles can be hired in many

locations, especially guest houses, for as little as 50B

per day, though they aren’t always high-quality. A secur-

ity deposit isn’t usually required.

Bicycle touring is also a popular way to see the

country, and most roads are sealed and have roomy

shoulders. Because duties are high on imported bikes,

in most cases you’ll do better to bring your own bike

to Thailand rather than purchase one here. No special

permits are needed for bringing a bicycle into the coun-

try, although it may be registered by customs – which

means if you don’t leave the country with your bicycle,

you’ll have to pay a customs duty. It’s advisable to bring

a well-stocked repair kit.