Passenger Terminal
is next to the international passengerterminal
at the south. There is a covered walk way links the International
Passenger Terminal and Domestic Passenger Terminal for facilitation
purpose.This terminal is divided into two sections A two-storey building
accommodated for the offices and services station of Bangkok Airways
and Thai Airways International and also served as an office for internal
charter flights service.A three-storey building which its first floor
provided services for in-coming passengers and for out-going passengers
on the second floor while the third floor provided with rental offices
for airline companies.
1. Shopping
24 hour shopping with a wide variety
of goods at the souvenir shops.Duty Free Shops located in the departure,
transit and arrival lounges. Each incoming passengers is eligible
to buy I carton of cigarettes and 250 grammes of tobacco or cigars
and 1 litre of liquor.
2. Food and beverage
Terminal 1 - Thai food restaurant (also
in Domestic Terminal), snack bars Terminal 2 -Japanese and Chinese
restaurants, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Swensen'
s and Royal Hofbra0haus
3. Postal services
Post & Telegraph Office Terminal
1 Arrival hall, open daily at 09.00-17.00 hrs. Departure hall, open
24 hours. Terminal 2 Arrival hall, open daily at 07.30-24.00 hrs Public
Telephones Calls can be dialed throughout Bangkok and greater Bangkok
at one Baht for the first three minutes while in-country long distance
calls are charged according to destination Overseas Calls Can be made
at Credit Card Telephone booths or Post and, Telegraph Offices located
in the departure and arrival lo Telephone Rental Rental of cellular
telephones is available to arriving passengers at the counter in the
arrival hall. Tel: 535-3598-9.
4.Currency exchange
There are many currency exchange counters
and Automatic Exchange Machines in Departure and Arrival Halls of
the International and Domestic Passenger Terminals.
5. Tour service
Tourist information can be obtained
from the counters of the Tourism Authority of Thailand while tour
service reservations can be made at the Tour Service Center in the
Arrival Hall. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) counter
provides around the clock of meet and greet services for advance booking
of foreign tourists and is operated.
6. Hotel reservations
You can book any hotel accommodation
on arrival at the counter of Thai Hotels Association (THA) counter
in the arrival hall.
7. Cip lounges
Many CIP Lounges are provided for the
pleasure of departing passengers. AAT CIP Lounges are on the 2nd floor
of International Terminals 1&2 Tel: 535-1300, 535-1037. Louis
Tavern CIP Lounges for both first class and business class are in
Departure Lounge, International Terminal 1 Tel: 535-3790- 6 and in
Departure Lounge International Terminal 2 Tel: 535- 3718-24.
8.Left baggage
The Left Baggage Rooms at the International
and Domestic Passenger Terminals charge Baht 40/piece/day with a maximum
storage allowed of 4 months. Tel: 535-1255, 535-1250 (International)
and 535-1134 (Domestic)
9.Emerency medical service
The Airport Clinic is on the 1st floor
near the Arrival Hall of the International Passenger Terminal 1. Qualified
medical personnel are ready to assist passengers 24 hours. Tel: 535-1113,
535-1755. AAT also provides first aid service in International Terminal
2 and Domestic Terminal.
10.Lost property
Thai Airways International Passenger
Handling, please contact the Lost & Found Counter at the Arrival
Lounge Tel 535-2968 Other Airlines Passengers, please contact individual
airline off ice. General articles lost within the Airport, please
contact the Airport Information Counter Tel. 535-1254, 535-1386
11. Services for transit I transfer passengers
Day rooms are available for passengers
on the 2nd and 4th floor of Terminal 1 & 2 at reasonable rates
for six hours with soft drinks, Tel: 535-3710-24. Additional services
in the Transit Lounge are Business Conference Room, Games Room, Left
Baggage, Duty Free Shop, Nursery, Barber Shop, Beauty Salon, Sauna,
Massage, Drugstore, Florists, Photo Fast and Currency Exchange.
12. Ground transportation
Airport Associate Limousine Counter:
Arrival Hall, 1 st floor International Passenger Terminals Terminal
1 (Counter No. 2) Terminal 2 (Counter No. 4) Fare: To downtown starting
from Baht 650 Tel: 535-5961, 535-5952
Thai Limousine Counter: Arrival Hall,
1 st floor International Passenger Terminals Terminal 1 (Counter
No. 7) Terminal 2 (Counter No. 5) Fare: To downtown starting from
Baht 650 Tel: 535-2801, 535-2803
Taxi Taxi Stand: In front of the
Arrival Halls International & Domestic Passenger Terminals Fare:
Based on meter plus Baht 50 surcharge Tel: 535-1616, 535-1432
Prapirab Limousine Counter: Arrival
Hall, 1 st floor Domestic Passenger Terminal Fare: To downtown starting
from Baht 650 Tel: 535-1894, 535-2634
Airport Bus Bus Stop: At platform
of International & Domestic Passenger Terminals Route Al Airport
- Silorn Rd. Route A2 Airport - Sa-Nam-Luang Route A3 Airport -
Sukhumvit Rd. (Soi Thonglor)
Car Rental
AVIS Rental Service Counter at International
Passenger Terminal 1, Arrival Hall Tel: 535-4052 and Terminal 2,
Tel: 535- 4031-2. Other car rental service counters at Arrival Hall,
Domestic Terminal Tel: 535-3004-5 and at Departure Hall Tel: 535-3009.
The rental rates are between Baht 1,400-3,300/day and Baht 8,400-
19,800/week.
Car Park AAT also provides spaces
at Domestic & International Terminals for 3,000 cars Public
Bus Bus Stop: In front of the Airport. Regular Bus Route 29 Airport
- Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lampong) Route 59 Airport - The Emerald
Buddha Temple (Sa-Nam-Luang) Route 95 Airport - Ram-Intra Rd. -
Ram Khamhang Rd.
Air - Conditioned Bus Route 4 Airport
- Silom Rd. Route 29 Airport - Victory Monument - Bangkok Railway
Station (Hua Lampong) Route 10 Airport - Victory Monument - Southern
Region Bus Terminal Route 13 Airport - Sukhumvit Rd. - Eastern Region
Bus Terminal
13. Visa on arrival
Passengers without entry visas from
55 countries are now able to obtain visas at the arrival counter in
the Arrival Hall of the International Passenger Terminal 1. A fee
of Baht 300 must be paid and 2 pictures of 1 inch each are required
(express photo service fee for 4 photos is Baht 120 ). The length
of stay is 15 days including the arrival date. Tel: 535-1071 Re-Entry
Permit Re-entry permit counter is on the 3rd floor of Departure Hall,
Terminal 1.
14.Various regulations
Passenger Service Charge
International Passengers - Baht 500
/person (paid through PSC Vending Machines or PSC counters) Domestic
Passengers - Baht 30 /person (paid at the Check-in counters) Customs
If you have nothing to declare, you may proceed to the Green Channels.
If you have goods to declare, i.e. you are carrying articles in commercial
quantity or prohibited or restricted articles, then proceed to the
Red Channels.
Currency and Monetary Instruments
Foreign currency in cash or equivalent
being carried in or out of Thailand is unlimited. Thai currency
over Baht 50,000 is not allowed to be carried abroad. Only passengers
leaving for Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Kampuchea and Vietnam are permitted
to bring out not over Baht 500,000. Antiques and Religious Articles
The export of antiques, objects of art, religious articles and Buddha
images are prohibited. To send or take any of the above objects
out of the country, prior permission must be obtained from The Fine
Arts Department, at Na Phra That Road, Bangkok, office hours 09.00
a.m. to 04.00 p.m. Prohibited Items It is prohibited by law to bring
any of the following items into Thailand.
- Narcotics (anybody who commits
an offence in violation against Thai narcotics laws shall be liable
to life imprisonment or death sentence).
- Obscene literature and photographs.
- Firearms or ammunition (unless a
permit has been obtained from the Police Department or the local
registration office).
A.T.A. Carnet
Goods subject to temporary import and
re-export by using the A.TA. camet documents as a guarantee: the travellers
bringing in such goods are required to inform the Customs Officer
at the Red Channel for clearing facilitation at the Customs Office.
Goods subject to temporary import and re- export by using A.T.A. Carnet
documents as a guarantee: the travellers taking out such goods are
required to take such goods together with A.T.A. Carnet documents
to show the Customs Officer for inspection before departing from the
country. Plant Quarantine Notification Declare your plants or plant
products to the Plant Quarantine Officer. Failure to abide by these
regulations incure a liability for legal prosecution, Tel.535-1379,
523-6420 Health Control Before your departure date, make sure to ask
your travel agent, airline or general practitioners' of the necessity
for appropriate inoculations. No medical on inoculation papers are
requested upon your entry into the Kingdom, unless you have visited
another country stricken with communicable diseases.
Security
AAT Security Systems meet ICAO Standards.
Security check for luggage will be made by common-use x-ray before
check- in process. Then body and hand carry checks will be made at
Security Check Point.
TERMINAL 2 is a 5 storey building,
designed to provide complete range of facilities for arrival, departure
and transit passengers with excellent services and comfort. The
ground floor and second floor are for arrival passengers, the third
floor for departure while the fourth floor is provided for transit
passengers. In addition, various restaurants offer a wide variety
of cuisines ranging from fast food to chinese food are also housed
on the fourth serving at the same downtown price while airline offices
are located on the fifth floor of Terminal 2.
After exiting the custom counter
turn right and proceed towards the right end of the hall. Look out
for your pickup staff with a sign-board with your name on it if
you have arranged for pickup service. If not you can take the airport
limousine at baht 600 per car or take the public metrer taxi. For
the public meter taxi, the fare is charged according to the meter
plus a surcharge of baht 50 per car. The estimate meter fare to
a hotel in the city is baht 250. Toll and expressively way charges
of baht 65 is to borne by the passenger
Arriving & departing
By Air
Bangkok's new Don Muang Airport international
terminal, adjacent to what is now the domestic terminal, has relieved
congestion and handles international passengers with modern efficiency.
As you leave customs, you'll find an array of desks where you can
arrange for taxis into Bangkok and transport to other destinations;
a reservation desk for Bangkok hotels (no fee); and a TAT desk with
free brochures and maps (tel. 02/523-8972). Both terminals have
luggage-checking facilities (tel. 02/535-1250). There is a tax of
B500 for international departures and B30 for domestic departures
A word of caution: The airport has more than its share of hustlers
out to make a quick baht, who often wear uniforms and tags that
make them seem official. They will try to get you to change your
hotel to one that pays them a large commission, perhaps claiming
your intended hotel is overbooked. They will hustle you into overpriced
taxis or limousines. Do not get taken in.
Carriers
The U.S. carrier with the most frequent
flights is Northwest Airlines (153 Rajdamri Rd., Peninsula Shopping
Plaza, 4th Floor, tel. 02/254- 0789). It has direct service through
Tokyo (with a minimal stopover) from New York, Detroit, Seattle,
Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Incidentally, this airline's
seats recline more than most, making sleeping much easier. Northwest
also has a round-Asia fare, in conjunction with local airlines,
which lets you hop from one capital to another. British Airways
flies nonstop to Bangkok from London Thai Airways International
(485 Silom Rd., tel. 02/234-3100) is the national airline, and most
of its flights come in and out of Don Muang. It has direct flights
from the West Coast of the United States and from London, and also
flies daily to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan.
Flying times
Bangkok is 18 hours from Seattle,
17 hours from San Francisco, 20 hours from Chicago, and 22 hours
from New York. Add more time for stopovers and connections,,especially
if you are using more than one carrier. East- coast travelers departing
from New York or Washington, DC, should consider using Virgin Atlantic/Thai
Airways via London for 19-hour flights to Bangkok.
Between the airport and town
By Bus
Airport buses busying between the
Don Mueang Airport and the major downtown destinations are a bit
of ripoff with their 70 Baht fare, but avoiding a likely trip around
Bangkok by taxi (with the fare clocking up all the way on the taximetre),
it's still a bargain. There are 3 routes of the Airport Bus:
A-1 goes to the Silom Road business
district via Pratunam and Rajdamri Road, stoppping at big hotels
like Indra Regent, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Regent Bangkok and Dusit
Thani. ? A-2 goes to Sanam Luang via Phayathai Road, Lan Luang Road,
Rajdamnoen Klang Road and Tanao Road; comes in hady for those travelling
to the Siam Square ir Banglamphu areas.
A-3 goes to the Phrakanong district
via Sukhumwit Road. You can also catch local air-conditioned buses
on the main road that passes the airport. Bus 4 goes to the Rama
Garden Hotel, Indra Regent, Erawan, Hyatt, and Dusit Thani hotels,
and down Silom Road (last bus at 8 PM). Bus 10 goes to the Rama
Garden Hotel, the Northern Bus Terminal, the Victory Monument, and
the Southern Bus Terminal (last bus at 8:30 PM). Bus 13 goes to
the Northern Bus Terminal, Victory Monument, and down Sukhumvit
Road to the Eastern Bus Terminal (last bus at 8 PM). Bus 29 goes
to the Northern Bus Terminal, Victory Monument, Siam Square, and
Bangkok's main railway station, Hualamphong (last bus at 8:30 PM).
Cost: B15. By Helicopter The quickest way downtown is the helicopter
that lands at the Shangri-La Hotel (. Anyone who will pay the $200
fare is welcome aboard.
By Minibus
Thai Airways has a minibus service
between the airport and major hotels. They depart when they are
full. Cost: B100. Complimentary orchid nosegay included.
By Riverboat Shuttle
A bus-and-boat service leaves every
30 minutes, 6 AM-9 PM. This service is really for the benefit of
guests at the Oriental, Royal Orchid Sheraton, and Shangri-La hotels,
but others can use it if there's space. The bus takes you from the
airport to the river, where you transfer to a boat for the half-hour
run to the hotels. Fare is $28 (B700); overall time is under an
hour.
By Taxi
Don Mueang is 25 km (15 mi) from the
city center. The road is often congested with traffic. Be prepared
for a 90-minute journey by taxi, though there are times when it
can take less than 40 minutes. obtain a reservation and prepay the
fare at the counter (at either terminal), and a driver will lead
you to the taxi. The fare to downtown Bangkok depends on the exact
location and, to some extent, the time of day. Count on B300-B350
from the international terminal and B250 from the domestic. Taxis
to the airport from downtown Bangkok are approximately B130. Use
a metered taxi and agree to pay for the toll road, an extra B50.
Otherwise, upon arrival you may want
to procede upstairs, to the Departure Hall and catch a taxi that
has just dropped the passengers. Insist on charging by the metre,
it's the buyers' market in Bangkok now. It will hardly ever be more
than 250 Baht when travelling within the city limits.
By Train
Bangkok Airport Express trains make
the 35-minute run every 90 minutes from 8 AM to 7 PM. Check the
schedule at the tourist booth in the arrival hall. Fare: B100. You
can also take regular trains from 5:30 AM to 9 PM. The fare is B5
for a local train, B13 for an express.
By Bus
Bangkok has three main bus terminals.
Northern/Northeast Bus Terminal (Phaholyothin Rd., tel. 02/272-0296
or 02/279-6222), often referred to as Morsit, serves Chiang Mai
and the north. Southern Bus Terminal (Pinklao- Nakomchaisri Rd.,
Talingchan, tel. 02/435-1199), on the Thonburi side of the river,
is for Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Phuket, and points south. Eastern Bus
Terminal (Sukhumvit Rd., Soi 40, Ekkamai, tel. 02/391-2504 or 02/392-
2391), usually referred to as Ekkamai, is for Pattaya and points
southeast, to Rayong and Trat province.
By Train
 |
Hualamphong Railway Station (Rama IV Rd., tel.
02/223-0341), the city's main station, serves most long-distance
trains. Bangkok Noi (Arun Amarin Rd., tel. 02/411-3102), on
the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, is used by local
trains to Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi. |
The State Railway of Thailand has
three lines, all of which terminate in Bangkok. The Northern Line
connects Bangkok with Chiang Mai, passing through Ayutthaya and
Phitsanulok; the Northeastern Line travels up to Nong Khai, near
the Laotian border, with a branch that goes east to Ubon Ratchathani;
and the Southern Line goes all the way south through Surat Thani--the
stop for Ko Samui--to the Malaysian border and on to Kuala Lumpur
and Singapore, a journey that takes 37 hours. (There is no train
to Phuket, though you can go as far as Surat Thani and change to
a scheduled bus service.)
Most trains offer second- or third-class
tickets, but the overnight trains to the north (Chiang Mai) and
to the south also offer first-class sleeping cabins. Couchettes,
with sheets and curtains for privacy, are available in second class.
Second-class tickets are about half the price of first-class, and
since the couchettes are surprisingly comfortable, most Western
travelers choose these. Do not leave valuables unguarded on overnight
trains.
Tickets may be bought at the railway
stations. Travel agencies can also sell tickets for overnight trains.
Reservations are strongly advised for all long-distance trains.
Train schedules in English are available from travel agents and
from major railway stations. Fares are reasonable. An air-conditioned,
second-class couchette for the 14-hour journey from Bangkok to Chiang
Mai is B530; first class is B980. For information on schedules and
passes, call the Bangkok Railway Station Advance Booking Office
(tel. 02/223-3762 or 02/223-0341).
Getting around Bangkok as anything
has 2 sides to it. Bangkok mass transit system operates 24 hours
a day and is cheap even for the local populace. It efficiently covers
the whole are of the Greater Bangkok and you always have choice
to fit your budget: from plain simple buses with ever open windows
up to hotel limousines. Yet, the other side of the medal is that
you can enjoy all these advantages in full only when the city is
deserted by half of its inhabitants with their cars during amjor
public holidays. Otherwise, the only progress made in Bangkok transporatation
in this century seems to be the switch from Chinese immigrant-driven
rickshaw tricycle (average speed 10 mph) to futuristic turbo-charged
and air-conditioned round-the- clock traffic snarl-up (average speed
8mph).
Taxis and Tuk-tuks
Most taxis in Bangkok use metres and
have a lit sign "Taximeter" on the roof. If there's no
metre in the taxi, fares must be agreed upon from the start. Fares
range from 35 Baht to maximum of approximately 300 Baht within the
city's precincts. Tuk-tuks or 3-wheel taxis (aka "3-wheel motor
saws gone berserk") are quite popular among locals and tourists
for short journeys Tuk-tuks are not allowed to enter highway). Fares
range from abouT730 up to 150 Baht. However, taxi is a more advisable
option considering never-ending Bangkok traffic snarl-up, especially
during the rush hour, as travelling through Bangkok polluted street
without air-conditioner may prove hazardous to health.
Buses
Bus transpor ' t in Bangkok is cheap
and reasonably comfortable. There are non-airconditioned red and
green buses (any destination 3.5 Baht), airconditioned blue buses
(fare depending on distance) and air-conditioned televised microbuses
with free newspapers (20 or 30 Baht, very comfortable for longer
trips within the city). Red and green buses operate 24 hours a day
(night fare 5 Baht).
Airport buses busying between the
Don Mueang Airport and the major downtown destinations are a bit
of ripoff with their 70 Baht fare, but avoiding a likely trip around
Bangkok by taxi (with the fare clocking up all the way on the taximetre),
it's still a bargain. There are 3 routes of the Airport Bus: A-1
goes to the Silom Road business district via Pratunam and Rajdamri
Road, stoppping at big hotels like Indra Regent, Grand Hyatt Erawan,
Regent Bangkok and Dusit Thani. A-2 goes to Sanam Luang via Phayathai
Road, Lan Luang Road, Rajdamnoen Klang Road and Tanao Road; comes
in hady for those travelling to the Siam Square ir Banglamphu areas.
A-3 goes to the Phrakanong district via Sukhumwit Road.
Motorcycles
The fastest vehicle to whisk you out
of a traffic jam, it require a somewhat adventurous disposition.
Fares range from 15 to 100 Baht. Basically they do not go for long
distances. Wearing helmet is obligatory and usually the driver will
provide you with one.
|
