Necessities Guide

Currency / Credit Cards / ATM
The local currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (฿). Money changing services are available at major shopping centres, hotels, banks and the airport.

While major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants, the most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and Master Card.

ATM machines are available at most banks and shopping centres throughout the city and many accept cards under the CIRRUS, Maestro, VISA or Mastercard system.

Electricity and Voltage
The standard voltage in Thailand is 200AC, 50 Hertz. Power outlets usually accommodate 2 flat blades or 2 round pin plugs. Only few power outlets have 3 holes (grounded outlets) so it is necessary to have an adapter when in Bangkok.

Connectivity
True Move, AIS, DTAC are the leading service providers in Thailand. If you will be staying in Thailand for a while, it is worth considering purchasing a SIM card with a prepaid option. The prepaid SIM cards can easily be bought from the airport, operator’s shops or at any 7-11 convenience store.

For more prepaid SIM card information with:
True Move, click here
AIS, click here
DTAC, click here

Transport
With the Sky Trains (BTS), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), buses & taxis, travelling in the city and suburbs can be a quick and affordable affair. These modes of transportation also make navigation around Bangkok easy. If you are adventurous, the tuk-tuks are also worth a ride.

Skytrain (BTS)
The Sky Trains (BTS), consist of 2 lines, the Silom Line and Sukhumvit Line that are connected at Siam station. It is undoubtedly the swiftest way to get around. Fares start at 15 baht per stop and vary depending on the number of zones crossed. Tickets are bought from machines located at the stations. Payment can only be made by coins but change is given at the service desks. A one-day pass may be ideal for tourists as this pass allows unlimited travel within the duration of a single day.

For the Map of Silom Line, click here
For the Map of Sukhumvit Line, click here.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
The Mass Rapid Transit network (MRT) consists of 1 line and serves 18 stations. Trains here arrive every 5-7 minutes. Tickets are bought in the form of tokens from machines at the stations.

For the MRT Network Map, click here
For MRT fares, click here

Bus
Bangkok buses operate daily from 5am to 11pm while the night buses run 24 hours daily. Bus tickets are bought on board the bus. Buses with blue signs operate via the regular route while buses with yellow signs take the expressway and as such, do not stop at all stations.

For Bus Route Maps, Listing & Fares, click here

Taxi
Taxis ply the island round the clock, bringing you wherever you want, anytime you want. All taxis are metered with the starting fee of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometers and then 5 baht per kilometer. You are however, responsible for any expressway toll fees. Although meter taxis are now predominate, there are occasional situations where you may have to politely ask the driver to switch on the meter. There are many taxi companies and different coloured taxis but costs and fares are the same. Taxi stands are available island-wide, as well as in hotels and shopping centres so it is not too difficult to flag one down.

Here are the hotlines for various taxi services in Bangkok, which will come in handy if you end up in a more obscure part of the island where the traffic is sparse, or if you are unable to find a taxi during peak hours or any other reason. If you're coming from an entertainment or dining venue, most concierge services will also be happy to call a taxi for you.

Bangkok Taxi Call Center Hotlines: 1681, 1661, +66 (0)2 424-2222
Airport Taxi: +66 (0)2 973-3191