BANGKOK
BANGKOK8BANGKOKGETTING AROUNDworth. If you need private transport, consider
hiring a car and driver through your hotel or hire
a taxi driver that you fi nd trustworthy. One repu-
table operator is Julie Taxi (%08 1846 2014;
http://www.julietaxitour.com),,) which off ers a variety of
vehicles and excellent service.
If you’re not dissuaded, cars and motorcy-
cles can be rented throughout town, including
through such international chains as Avis (Map
p 86 ; %0 2251 2011; http://www.avisthailand.com;
2/12 Th Withayu/Wireless Rd; h8am-6pm; BTS
Phloen Chit), opposite the Swiss embasy, or local
chains such as Thai Rent A Car (%0 2318 8888;
http://www.thairentacar.com; 2371 Th Petchaburi; MRT
Phetchaburi & access by taxi), both of which also
have branches at/near Suvarnabhumi airport.
Rates start at around 1200B per day, excluding
insurance. An International Driving Permit and
passport are required for all rentals.
MRT (Metro)
Bangkok’s fi rst subway line opened in 2004 and
is operated by the Metropolitan Rapid Transit
Authority (MRTA; %0 2624 5200; http://www.mrta.
co.th). Thais call the metro rót fai fáh đâi din.
The 20km Blue Line goes from Hua Lamphong
train station to Bang Sue, stopping at 18 stations,
including four that link up with the BTS, and one
that connects with the airport link. Fares cost
16B to 41B; child and concession fares can be
bought at ticket windows. The trains run every
seven minutes from 6am to midnight, except
during peak hours – 6am to 9am and 4.30pm
to 7.30pm – when frequency is less than fi ve
minutes. The main advantage for visitors is that
the Sukhumvit hotel area is now easily connected
to Hua Lamphong train station and Chinatown at
one end, and Chatuchak weekend market and the
Northern bus terminal at the Bang Sue end.
There are ambitious plans to extend the MRT
by more than four times its present length with
stabs into northern Bangkok, Samut Prakan and
Th Ramkhamhaeng, although if the airport link
is anything to judge by, it could be a very long
wait indeed.
Motorcycle Taxi
Forming the backdrop of modern Bangkok,
teams of cheeky, numbered and vested
motorcycle-taxi drivers can be found at the end
of just about every long street. A ride to the end
(sùt soy) or mouth (Ъàhk soy) of an average soi
usually costs 10B to 15B. Longer journeys should
be negotiated in advance, and can range from
20B to 100B.
Helmets are occasionally available upon
request, although considering the way some of
these guys drive, any body part is at risk. In par-
ticular, keep your legs tucked in – the drivers are
used to carrying passengers with shorter legs
than those of the average Westerner. Women
wearing skirts should sit side-saddle and gather
any extra cloth to avoid it catching in the wheel
or drive chain. Ta xi
Táa k·se e m e e·đêu (metered taxis) were in-
troduced in Bangkok in 1993 and the current
fl ag fare of 35B is only a slight increase from
that time, making us wonder how these guys
(and there are a lot of them) earn any money.
Although many fi rst-time visitors are hesitant
to use them, in general, Bangkok’s taxis are
new and spacious and the drivers are courteous
and helpful, making them an excellent way to
get around. Fares to most places within central
Bangkok cost 60B to 80B, and freeway tolls –
20B to 45B depending where you start – must
be paid by the passenger.
Taxi Radio (%1681; http://www.taxiradio.co.th) and
other 24-hour ‘phone-a-cab’ services are avail-
able for 20B above the metered fare. Taxis are
usually plentiful except during peak commute
hours, when bars are closing (1am to 2am), or
when it is raining and your destination requires
sitting in too much traffi c.
It’s generally a good idea to get in taxis that
pull up, rather than parked taxis, as the latter
often refuse to use their meters. And simply exit
any taxi that refuses to use the meter.FREE RIDELaunched in 2008, Bangkok Smile Bike is a municipally sponsored program encourag-
ing visitors to explore parts of old Bangkok and Thonburi by bicycle. The small green bikes
can be borrowed for free, and an expansive tourist route encompassing the areas’ major
sites has been marked by relatively clear road signs and occasional green bike lanes.
There are fi ve stations spread out between Ko Ratanakosin and Banglamphu, and the
suggested starting/ending point is at the southwest corner of Sanam Luang (Map p 60 ),
across from the main entrance to Wat Phra Kaew. On the Thonburi side, there are six sta-
tions and the suggested starting point is at the base of Saphan Phra Pin Klao Bridge, with
the route ending at Saphan Phut, also known as Memorial Bridge. Bikes are available
from 10am to 5pm, and you’ll need some form of ID to borrow one.