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Thailand is in love with the automobile; everybody likes to have at least one , if possible two.The automobile industry is a booming business. That's why Bangkok is being well known for its traffic jams and pollution. Lucky, Thailand has many more kinds of vehicles than just the automobile, as shown below.
Just a few decades ago, motor vehicles were uncommon in Thailand, people traveled by walking, boat or riding on a elephant or oxcart. Then, some enterprising inventor created the pedal taxi alled Samlor. A few of this three-wheeled bicycles still cruise the streets. They seem to be the preferred mode of transportation for many older women to do their morning shopping. Take a Samlor from Wat Prasing to Wat Chedi Luang, or just let yourself drive around the inner city at sunrise, see monks walking around with their bowls collecting alms from the citizens.
There are many brands and styles of motorcycles in Thailand, ranging from the 100cc Honda Dream to Harley Davidsons imported from abroad. The most popular motorcycles are the 100-110cc models like the Honda Dream. Only recently, the Thai government has begun to emphasize the 4 cycle engines to replace the 2 cycle engines. In the future motorcycles will be the cleaner but more expensive 4 cycle models. It is now legal to license larger engines than before, and so one can find 175cc and 200cc bikes in street- and off-road ersions.
Here is an ingenious way to transport goods or your family over small or obstructed roads. These converted motorcycles have a large sidecar that can carry cargo, from equipped mobile kitchens to barbecues, or an iced fruit stand and the like. Many of these vehicles have a somewhat disreputable appearance, leading to the suspicion that this conversion is the fate of older motorcycles, but occasionally you can see a nice, new conversion job that is the proud but inexpensive means of transport for some Thai family or small business.
This three wheel vehicle was the original Thailand taxi just a few years ago, however now to be found in many places in the world, including India, Europe, and America. The original is still found in many places in Thailand, operating as an open air taxi. Named for the sound made by their small-capacity, two-cycle engines, they are mostly found in tourist areas. It is common to see 4 or 5 people in one tuk-tuk, such as students heading home from school, or to see a single person with many boxes and bags of goods being taken home from the market.
The most common way to get around Chiang Mai is by Songthaew. These are covered pick-up trucks with two benches in the back, the name means "two benches" in Thai. To board, one just put your arm out and look at the driver, who will stop.
The fare should
be 15 baht for regular trips around town. If the driver demands more if you want to go to a specific address, then it is up to you to work out a fair payment.
Chiang Mai's local bus service began operation in November 2005. There are currently 5 routes and fares are a flat 15 baht. Route 4, connecting to the airport, is probably the most useful.
Bus remains popular and widespread means of transport in Thailand, daily used by many Thais and travellers across the Kingdom. They are fairly frequent, safe, reliable and comfortable. Usually they leave on time and are cheap.
Chiang Mai has finally introduced Bangkok-style metered taxis. In early 2005 there were only 15 plying the streets (versus 2700 Songthaews), but one year later there were over 45, with the number growing monthly. Rates are very reasonable at 30 baht for the first 2 km and 4 baht/km after that.
Customers can call 053-271242 and 01-952900 for pick up and there will be an extra charge of 20 baht. The call center named Nakorn Lanna Cooperatives controls the vans, red minibuses and taxis.
This multi-passenger van, called "wan" in Thai, you will see wherever the tourists are. Often they serve as small, air conditioned, inter-city buses on rural routes.The average van is equipped with two and half seats in front plus three rows of three seats for the passengers/tourists. Today there is also a VIP version with less and very comfortable seats. With much of the interior room being used for people, the internal cargo/luggage capacity is not large, and so large luggage may have to ride on top of the van.
Many people in Thailand, like elsewhere in the world, like to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle (also called a Sports Utility Vehicle or SUV), often more for the image than for the capability. In fact, most SUVs are never taken off road (it might be damaged or getting muddy). Again almost all automobile manufacturers in Thailand include on or more SUVs in their line. Since many drivers in Thailand seem to equate status with vehicle size, having a large SUV with tall tires and lights and things seems to be compared with importancy.
Of course, the ultimate way to look good and feel important is to have a well-known luxury car. Not too long ago, the appearance of a Benz on the road was enough to send pedestrians and other cars scurrying to the side of the road to permit the exalted personage to pass. This behavior has already changed to a more egalitarian style of driving. Alas, some luxury car drivers don't know this change, as they still drive like they are the sole owner of the Thai roads
Travelling by train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is a popular way of getting between the cities. Slightly more expensive than the bus the train is a much more comfortablel, especially if you take an overnight sleeper.
Chiang Mai is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and its international airport caters well to visitors, receiving 130 flights a week from Bangkok as well as Singapore, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Laos.
