transport

If you’re travelling through [Pattaya] [1] over the next few months you should allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Long traffic queues on the roads linked to the newly upgraded roadways spanning Pattaya’s railroad tracks have been causing road rage. Pattaya City Hall and local Internet forums have been inundated with complaints from disgruntled drivers, many of whom are experiencing delays of up to fifteen minutes at intersections. However, some people are able to take the delays in their stride. “All of these complaints are most likely from people just getting used to the new lights,” a local taxi driver told the [Pattaya Mai] [2] recently. “People haven’t gotten used to it yet.” He believes that although the queues should be shorter they are necessary safety measures. The main traffic hot spots are along the newly named Local Road, Soi Nernplabwan, Soi Siam Country Club and Soi Khao Noi. It is predicted that the new computerized traffic-control system will take up to four months to complete, so motorists are advised to plan their routes carefully to avoid getting stuck in traffic. [1]: http://1stoppattaya.com [2]: http://pattayamail.com 2009-07-02T09:24:00+07:00 1351 2009-07-01T22:25:10+07:00 5 true 1351-pattaya-traffic-comes-to-a-standstill Andrew

A big day for the police last week when they arrested Somsak Phansranoi, 38, in Chumphon Province near [Samui] [1] for driving over the speed limit and using a fake driving license. The [Samui Express] [2] reported that what the police may have though would be a simple arrest or fine turned out to be much more when the driver suddenly confessed to killing his wife. Somsak told the police that the crime happened on Koh Phangan last September. He confessed to strangling his wife Darika Phansranoi, 42, and dumping her body into the sea at Aou Nang beach near Thong Nai Pan. The problem for Somsak, he said, was that he was unable to sleep as he was being “haunted and followed by the spirit of my dead wife. Now I feel relieved that I have confessed to you. I beg for forgiveness for what I have done to my wife. I won’t run away anymore.” After checking their records, the police discovered that the body of Darika Phansranoi had been found on September 8th and appeared to have been strangled. Unfortunately, the police were unable to arrest Somsak for the murder due to lack of evidence. [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news.samuiexpress.net/ 2009-07-01T09:00:00+07:00 1348 2009-06-30T18:39:22+07:00 5 true 1348-speeding-driver-finally-confesses Andrew

Anyone who’s spent time in [Bangkok] [1] recently will have noticed the sorry state of many of the buses. Although there are a number of large, comfortable air-conditioned buses fighting their way through the city’s traffic, there are also plenty of small, old and outdated buses as well. Known locally as ‘green boxes of death’ the smallest of Bangkok’s buses have a reputation for being unsafe. However, the good news is that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plan to launch a new bus fleet. Although the bus fleet had been proposed in the past it had been rejected as being too costly to the government. However, new studies show that the new bus fleet will cost much less than expected and actually help the BMTA back into the black. As far as the balance sheet and financial status were concerned, "The BMTA is practically bankrupt", Pallapa Ruangrong, a member of the Energy Regulatory Commission was quoted as saying by the [Bangkok Post] [2] this week. "Doing just a little thing now will at least help the BMTA stop the bleeding." The BMTA recently announced a total debt of 67 billion baht. The new buses are expected to generate much needed extra revenue for the BMTA and hopefully reduce the amount of traffic on Bangkok’s clogged roads. [1]: http://1stopbangkok.com [2]: http://bangkokpost.com 2009-06-30T08:56:00+07:00 1346 2009-06-30T10:58:11+07:00 5 true 1346-new-buses-a-lifeline-for-bangkok-transport Andrew

Anyone who has taken a taxi ride in [Samui] [1] will know that trying to pay a fair price can sometimes be rather tricky. Although most taxi drivers are honest and use the meter, many refuse and try to charge passengers highly inflated fees. Unfortunately, many visitors to Thailand are unaware of the meter system and correct rate, so they end up being swindled into parting with large amounts of cash. However, all this is soon to charge under the guidance of Phanu Woramit, head of the TAT in the southern region. He is launching a campaign to insist that taxi drivers use their meters whenever hired, whether by residents or tourists. “I am very sure that the problem and the complaints about the taxi service will be gone. We want to give a good impression to tourists. Samui will be better than before because taxi drivers have realized that if they treat passengers with bad service, no one will ride the taxi anymore,” Phanu Woramit told the [Samui Express] [2] recently. However, passengers will have to pay an additional 90 Baht on top of their fare, which may be a small price to pay to ensure that the meter is always used. [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news.samuiexpress.net/ 2009-06-12T09:06:00+07:00 1321 2009-06-11T13:07:51+07:00 5 true 1321-a-fair-price-for-taxis Andrew

Travelers keen on pinching the pennies can now travel to [Pattaya] [1] for free. A complimentary train runs from Bangkok each day at 6.55 a.m. arriving in Pattaya at 10.35 a.m. A return service also runs free of charge, which leaves Pattaya at 2.40 p.m. The service is part of a scheme to reduce the basic cost of living in Thailand and has been a big help to those who live in Bangkok and have to travel to Pattaya regularly to work or visit friends and relatives. “The free trips help reduce living costs for low-income users such as government officers, students and vendors. Since the policy began 20% more people are using trains, especially back to school during May. They take a train to Bangkok then hop on to buses to their destination,” Pattaya Railway Stationmaster Manas Lekkuna was quoted by the [Pattaya Mail] [2] this week. The train, which is third class, can be used by everyone. However, the train tends to gets rather crowded, so arrive early to be sure of getting a seat. [1]: http://1stoppattaya.com [2]: http://pattayamail.com 2009-05-26T08:49:00+07:00 1293 2009-05-25T15:49:41+07:00 5 true 1293-travelers-chuffed-at-free-rail-service Andrew

In a tremendous sign of useful infrastructure development, the city of Bangkok is nearly ready to open the first leg of its airport link from the capital to the far-flung site of its new international airport, Suvarnabhumi. The first leg of this extremely useful transport link will run from [Suvarnabhumi Airport][1] to the Makkasan and Phaya Thai areas of downtown Bangkok. The Airport Link, as it’s known, is slated to begin operations on 12 August in time for the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, according to deputy Transport Minister Sopon Zarum. Although some of the facilities such as the baggage carousel will not be ready on the opening day, at least the train will be running. Travellers with heavy baggage will have to deal with the inconvenience, but Sopon insisted it was necessary to get the link open as soon as possible. The Airport Link is a 28-kilometre route, and is 96 per cent complete to date. Delays have hampered the completion of the rail route due to difficulties acquiring some pieces of land, and a few problems at some of the stations, said SRT deputy governor Prasert Attanan. The fare will be 150 baht for those who take a non-stop train, and just 15 to 45 baht for those passengers willing to stop at every station along the way. [1]: http://www.1stopbangkok.com/getting_here/airport/ 2009-02-20T10:30:00+07:00 1133 2009-02-16T10:49:47+07:00 5 true 1133-train-link-from-bangkok-to-airport-coming Andrew

In a welcome return to a semblance of normality, Thailand’s State Railway authority has resumed operation on nearly all of its train lines. Train services across the nation had been stopped by railway staff two weeks ago in support of the PAD anti-government protest. As of Tuesday September 9th, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen stated that almost all of the [rail service was running on its normal schedules][1] again, with the exception of the southern routes, many of which remain suspended. Trains nationwide were stopped for nearly two weeks while the railway organisation’s labour union called in sick to show their opinion of the government’s brutal treatment of PAD protestors. Yutthana Thapcharoen said that the main lines are all online, but 38 of the 64 services in southern Thailand remain suspended. Lines in the northeast of the country are operating normally as well, although there is rumour that SRT workers may be planning a strike in the coming days. The cost of the strike to the private sector has been enormous, and the SRT is still trying to find a workable solution for all parties involved. Many tourists have found themselves searching for alternative means of travel during the past two weeks of nationwide protests. [1]: http://www.1stopthailand.com/transportation/rail/ 2008-09-11T04:30:00+07:00 874 2008-09-10T04:32:12+07:00 5 true 874-thailand-s-trains-back-in-service Andrew

Thailand’s poor road safety record was once again called into question as the New Year holiday season resulted in thousands of accidents and claimed nearly 400 lives. A further 4,514 people were injured in nearly as many accidents. There was a four per cent decrease in accident fatalities from the previous year, but it remains a chronic problem in Thailand has heavy traffic over the long weekend results in higher accident rates. December 30th was the deadliest day, with 85 fatalities and Bangkok recorded the most accidents of all provinces, proving that it was not just long distance travellers at risk from reckless motorists. As much has 42 per cent of the accidents were caused by drunk driving according to the Interior Ministry, however the largest group affected were motorcyclist. Many of the injured and dead were not wearing safety helmets. Other main causes of accidents include speeding and reckless overtaking. Although few tourists were involved, they are advised to avoid travelling during the long New Year Weekend, by road. The hilly, curving roads of the mountainous north are particularly risky during this time. [Transportation guide for Thailand]( http://www.1stopthailand.com/transportation/ “title�) 2008-01-03T16:14:00+07:00 495 2008-01-03T16:14:51+07:00 5 true 495-holiday-traffic-claims-369-lives Andrew

Travellers who have landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport recently may have noticed, as they sped towards the metropolis in a taxi, a raised train track running parallel to the highway leading from the airport. Eight coaches for the electric trains that will carry passengers from [Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok City Air Terminal.](http://www.pattayamail.com) have been delivered and are now being tested for this rail service. The project is just over 70% complete and is expected to be finished on schedule, despite a small matter of a further 9 million baht needed to finish the construction. This is according to State Railway of Thailand spokesman Bancha Kongnakhon. As the fist 8 of 31 coaches arrive on site, engineers will familiarize themselves with the system that will allow the electric trains to hurtle passengers along at speeds approaching 160 kph. A computerized signaling system, reputed to be the safest in the world, will guide operations, with testing set to begin on November 9th. The project began in 2004, on the watch of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with a 5 company consortium, calling itself Airport Rail Link Company, winning the bid. 2007-11-01T09:06:00+07:00 419 2007-11-03T04:05:27+07:00 7 true 419-first-delivery-of-airport-trains-received DaveB