In Bangkok, air-conditioned taxis with meters are plentiful and can be easily hailed wherever you happen to be in the city. An alternative type of taxi is the samlor or tuk tuk, a three wheeled vehicle taking two passengers three of our at a squeeze. They are rather noisy and are open to traffic fumes, though they are extremely popular with visitors who find them quaint. The fare should be negotiated in advance.

Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya. Some are just cross-river taxis ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.

With regard to public transport, Bangkok has an elevated mass transit system, the BTS Skytrain, which offers quick and easy access along a 2.5 km route covering the Silom and Sukhumvit areas. Alternatively, there is a cheap and comprehensive bus service, with both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned vehicles serving every area of the city. At the other end of the transport scale, hotel limousines and car hire are readily available.

For upcountry travel, THAI, along with several private carriers, such as PB air and Bangkok Airways, operate flights to all major travel destinations, as well as many smaller provincial cities and towns. On trunk routes, such as to Chiang Mai or Phuket, there are several flights daily.

Train travel is also convenient on the main northern and southern lines, an dto the northeast. Air-conditioned first-class sleepers are ideal for long journeys, though there are also second and third class carriages.

The most comprehensive domestic transportation network is the Government-operated long distance bus service. There is scarcely a town in the entire country which is not served either on a direct Bangkok route or a feeder service from a provincial centre.

If you want to go your own way, there are many car hire firms in Thailand, including international rental companies such as Hertz and Avis. The road sytem is good and well sign-posted.