Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is truly the epicenter of any travel in the South-East Asia region. No traveler ever plans his/her South-East Asian adventure without a Bangkok pit stop featuring in it. In this article we’ll look at the transportation aspects that make Bangkok such a melting hot pot of the South Asian region.
Transportation in Bangkok – The central link to South East Asia
Bangkok’s geographical location puts it in close proximity to the entire Indo-China region with countries like Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Malaysia all sharing borders with it. Vietnam, India, China, Singapore and Indonesia are also in close proximity to Thailand and thus easily accessible from Bangkok. Bangkok has one of the most comprehensive portfolios of transportation options available.
Air Travel
Bangkok is one of the most important air transportation centres of South East Asia. Before it was replaced by Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006 as Bangkok’s official international airport,
Don Mueang International Airport was one the busiest airports in the world. In 2005, it Mueang was the 18th busiest airport in the world and the second busiest in Asia by passenger volume. In that year more than ninety airlines served this Airport. In terms of international passenger volume, it was the 15th busiest in the world and fourth busiest in Asia. Don Mueang, which was inaugurated in March, 1914 is also one of the oldest international airports in the world, almost twenty years older than the Heathrow Airport of London. It has three terminals and is located about 30 km (19 mi) north from the heart of Bangkok. On 28 September 2006, it was replaced by Suvarnabhumi Airport, a vast glass-and-concrete construction 30km east of central Bangkok. Over the years Suvarnabhumi Airport has managed to establish itself as an efficient air transportation hub.
Bangkok has dozens of airlines on an extensive network of routes. Considering the size of the country a traveler is never more than a couple of hours away from an airport. The introduction of budget airlines and stiff competition among full service carriers makes air transport a convenient option to travel without burning a hole in your pocket. Bangkok is extensively connected to Europe, Australia and China and thus provides an ideal base to start any South-East Asian Sojourn.
Railways
Thailand’s domestic railway currently serves the entire country with Bangkok being its central hub. Thailand’s only international rail service connects to Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, en route all the way to Singapore. Conditions of international railway are fairly average but time-consuming. An usual 2-hour flight to Singapore may take up to 48 hours to reach same destination by rail. Even though the current railway does not get to Laos or Cambodia, it stops just across the border from Vientiane (capital of Laos) and Aranyaprathet ( busy city of Cambodia). The same situation applies to Mynamar as it stops near Kanchanaburi near Mynamar.
Roads
There 3 types of road systems currently in place in Thailand: Thai Motorway network, Thai Expressway System, and Thai Provincial Highway network. Thai Motorway network is an intracity motorway network that currently spans 145 km (90mi). These motorways are often dual carriageways with frequent u-turn lanes and intersections slowing down traffic. Thailand’s expressway system comprises high-capacity highways serving the greater Bangkok area and some nearby provinces. First operated in 1981, the Expressway System currently consists of 7 sub-systems with a total distance of 198.4 km. Thai Provincial Highway network connects provinces within Thailand with average road conditions.
Waterways
As you must be aware that Bangkok has an elaborate network of Canals and rivers, something that lead the city to earn the epithet of “Venice of the East.” Known as “Khlongs,” the canals are ideal to take a glimpse of the historical attractions of Bangkok. One of the most popular attractions along the “Khlongs” is the floating market of Taling Chan district.
Apart from the traditional boats running through the ‘Khlongs’. Bangkok offers extensive public transport options that serve its waterways. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, serviced by canal boat service. Chao Phraya, the wide river flowing through the city, has several cross-river ferries. The Chao Phraya Express Boat has many as thirty stops along the both banks extending as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
