Thailand Travel Info

Thailand, like many other countries, deregulated the airline industry allowing smaller low cost carriers to enter the marketplace. Today travelers have a choice of several carriers inside Thailand when connecting from your international flight to our bike tour destinations.

Thai Airways - www.thaiairways.com
Thai Airways is Thailand's flagship carrier. Owned by the government, it has been operating since 1934 and offers excellent inflight service. Flights as short as 55 minutes enjoy food and beverage service, a far cry for the US standard of maybe a bag of peanuts. Prices are a bit high by Thai standards, but good discounts are available if you plan ahead (round trip Bangkok to Chiang Mai as low as 2400 baht, US$80). Thai flies a variety of jet aircraft, from 737s to the latest 777s and 330s. They serve all of our Thailand & Vietnam gateways. Please note: Thai Airways domestic flights depart out of both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airports in Bangkok; flight numbers between 100 and 999 fly from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, while flight numbers 1000 to 1999 fly from Don Muang Domestic Airport.

Bangkok Airways - www.bangkokair.com
Billing themselves as Asia's Boutique Airline, Bangkok Airways was the first airline to start operations after deregulation. Like Thai Airways, they offer excellent inflight service and serve many of our tour gateways in Thailand and Cambodia. Their prices are on par with Thai Airways, but don't they offer the same advance booking discounts. Bangkok Air's fleet is primarily small jets (737, MD80) and prop planes (ATR).

Thai Air Asia - www.airasia.com
Thai Air Asia, a branch of Malaysia based Air Asia, is one of newer LCC (low cost carrier) start ups. Service is friendly and the fares are quite economical. The airline is no frills to the max ... no seat assignments ... no free drinks or food ... 15 kg (33 lbs) baggage limit and 30 baht (US$1) fee per checked bag ... no baggage transfer or interlining (you have to claim your bag and check-in again after every flight). They do offer a 200 baht express boarding option when you book which is well worth the cost, so you don't have to stand in line and then rush the plane for find a seat. Their fleet is new 737s and 320s. Please note: Air Asia is VERY STRICT about weight and charges dearly by the kilo for overages. Also your ticket is non-refundable, non-changeable and non-transferable, it is a true "use it or lose it" ticket.

Nok Air - www.nokair.com
Nok Air is a subsidiary of Thai Airways, their LCC division. Their service and fares are on par with Thai Air Asia, but they fly out of Bangkok's older Don Muang Airport, so are not the best for connecting directly with an inbound or outbound international flight. They do offer an upgraded seating option, that provides both advance boarding and a bigger seat. Their fleet is primarily 737s.

One Two Go / Thai Orient
One Two Go provides some of the cheapest fares in Thailand, but are good examples of the old saying "you get what you pay for". Their planes are very old, having been retired by other airlines, then bought second or third hand by Thai Orient, the parent company. Their record is not the best, with a recent crash in Phuket and a near midair collision before that. We don't recommend using them. *** One Two Go is currently grounded after the Thai Government pulled their operating certificate over pilot qualification and maintenance issues ***

Phuket Air
Another LCC that uses old, second hand planes. They used to fly international routes, as well as domestic flights, until the EU banned them from landing at European airports due to poor performance in maintenance and safety. We don't recommend using them.

Lodging At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Hotel
The Novotel is on the airport grounds, just a short distance from the terminal, with regular shuttles running back and forth. It is a typical Novotel, first class western style hotel, with prices running $150 on up.

Lodging Near Suvarnabhumi Airport

Silver Gold Garden
The Silver Gold Garden hotel is a new hotel nearby the airport, located in the small town of Lat Krabang. It is a moderate class hotel, with prices starting at $25 on up and complimentary airport shuttles. Of the four hotels listed here, this one has the best location, being on the main street with nearby dining and shopping options. The next three hotels listed are off the main road down small side streets.

Floral Shire Hotel
Floral Shire is another new hotel that sits just off of the airport grounds, maybe 5 minutes by car from the terminal. It is a moderate class hotel, but with much better prices, starting around $35 on up. Airport shuttle available. Please note: the deluxe rooms with lofts do not have curtains on the skylight windows, so sunlight floods in first thing in the morning.

Convenient Resort
The Convenient Resort (good name ;-) is also a new hotel just off the airport grounds, about 5 minutes away. It is a simple hotel, with prices starting at $25 on up. Airport shuttle available at extra cost.

Queen's Garden Resort at Riverview
Queens Garden Resort at Riverview was the first off airport hotel to open near Suvarnabhumi. Flamboyant name, but simple rooms, clean and friendly, with prices starting at $25. Airport shuttle available (free one way, 100 baht the other way).

A-One Hotel
A-One Hotel is the closest hotel inside Bangkok. It is around 20 to 30 minutes by taxi, approximately 250 baht fare (with tip). It is a new first class hotel and well removed from the noise of aircraft traffic.

Maxx Hotel
The Maxx Hotel is likewise a first class hotel located inside Bangkok city. It is a bit more economical than the A-One, but also a bit older. The Maxx is nearby the RCA complex (Royal City Avenue) for anyone looking for a some nightlife.