:: VISIT THAI SEA :: VISIT THAILAND ::

The Sea Of Thailand, Many famous place in south and eastern coast of Thailand

::: With white beach and crystal clear water :::

       By Car

       From Bangkok take Route 4, passing Phetchaburi - Prachuap Khirikhan - Chumphon - Ranong and Phangnga Provinces before reaching Krabi a total distance of 946 kilometers. An alternate route is to take Route 4 to Chumphon and then turn onto Route 41. This leads through Lang Suan and Chaiya Districts of Chumphon to Wieng Sa District of Surat Thani from there follow Route 4035, passing Ao Luk District of Krabi, back onto Route 4, and down to Krabi Town. This shortcut is just 814 kilometers, and is followed by the bus services.
       From Phuket Take Route 402 to Route 4 and pass Tambon Kok Kloy of Takua Thung District in Phang-nga Thap Pud District, Phang-nga and enter Ao Luk District of Krabi the total distance is 185 kilometers. Regarding bus transport from Phuket, contact, Tel.(076)211480.

By Bus
Buses leave Bangkok for Krabi daily in the evening. The journey takes about 12 hours. The fare for 24 seats air-conditioned bus is 655 Baht, and 446 and 421 Baht for 40 seat air-conditioned bus and 234 Baht for non air-conditioned bus. Contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Borommaratchonnani Road) at Tel.(02) 435-1199, 435-5061 (air-conditioned bus) and (02) 4345557 (non air-conditioned bus).

By Train
From Bangkok Railway Station take the train to one of the following stations : Trang, Phun Pin in Surat Thani Province, or Thung Song in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. From any of these places a bus may be taken onward to Krabi. Regarding train schedules and costs, contact Bangkok Railway Station , Tel.(02)223-7010, 223-7020.

By Air

Bangkok - Krabi					Krabi - Bangkok				Price
Airline	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	One way Baht	Round trip Baht
Thai Airways	TG 249	08.10	09.30	Daily	TG 250	10.10	11.30	Daily	2,120 - 2,920	4240 - 5840
Thai Airways	TG 259	16.10	17.30	5 6 7	TG 260	18.10	19.30	5 6 7	2,120 - 2,920	4,240
PB Air	9Q834	10.15	11.40	5	9Q835	12.05	13.30	5	2,560	5,120
PB Air	9Q836	15.45	17.10	7	9Q837	17.35	19.00	7	2,560	5,120
Phuket - Krabi					Krabi - Phuket				Price
Airline	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	One way Baht	Round trip Baht
Air Andaman	2Y102	11.00	11.30	Daily	2Y103	12.00	12.30	Daily	900	1,800
Days: 1 - Monday, 2 - Tuesday, 3 - Wednesday, 4 - Thursday, 5 - Friday, 6 - Saturday, 7 - Sunday

By Air

Bangkok - Krabi					Krabi - Bangkok				Price
Airline	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	Flight No.	Dep.	Arr.	Days	One way Baht	Round trip Baht
Thai Airways	TG 248	08.10	09.30	Daily	TG 249	10.10	11.30	Daily	2,120 - 2,920	4240 - 5840
PB Air	9Q36	15.40	17.05	1 3 5 7	9Q37	17.35	19.00	1 3 5 7	2,120	4,240
Days: 1 - Monday, 2 - Tuesday, 3 - Wednesday, 4 - Thursday, 5 - Friday, 6 - Saturday, 7 - Sunday

By car
From Bangkok take Route 4 passing Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, Chumporn, Ranong, and Phang-nga Provinces before reaching Krabi; a total distance of 946 kilometers. An alternate route is to take Route 4 to Chumpom and then tum onto Route 4L. This leads through Lang Suan District of Chumpom to Chaiya and Wieng San Districts of Surat Thani; from there follow Route 4035 passing Ao Lur District of Krabi, back onto Route 4, and down to Krabi Town. This shortcut is just 814 kilometers, and is followed by the bus services from Bangkok. For information regarding bus transport, contact tel. (02)435 1195-6 (non-air conditioned buses);or tel. (02)435 1200(air conditioned buses).
From Phuket Take Route 402 to Route 4 and pass Tambon Koto Kloy of Takua Tung District in Phang-nga; Tap Puhd District, Phang-nga; and enter Ao Lur District of Krabi; the total distance is 185 kilometers. Regarding bus transport, tel.(076) 211 480.

By train
From Bangkok Station take the train to one of the following stations: Trang, Putt Pin in Surathani Province, or Tung Song in Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province; from any of these places a bus may be taken onward to Krabi. Regarding train schedules and costs, contact the travel office of State Railway of Thailand, tel.(02)223 7010

By bus
The Transportation Company Limited provides daily services both of non and air-conditioned buses, leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal on Borom Ratchonnani Road in Bangkok. Further information can be acquired by calling 435-1200, 435-1199. There is also a province bus company, Sap Paisan Tour. Tel. (02)435-5017 (Bangkok), that offers regular services.

       By Train
There are two trains.
From Bangkok :
       1. Rapid train Number 167, leaving from Bangkok for Kantang at 18.20
       2. Express train number 83, leaving from Bangkok for Trang at 17.05
From Trang :
       1. Rapid train number 168, leaving from Kantang for Bangkok at 13.10
       2. Express train number 84, leaving from Trang for Bangkok at 17.10
       Contact : Bangkok Railway Station , Tel. (02) 224-7788, 223-3762 or 225-0300 ext. 5200-03 for ticket booking Trang Station , at Tel. (075) 213-082 for ticketing information.

By plane
Thai International Airways offers daily flights from Bangkok to Trang . Reservations can be made at Tel. 280-0060, 628-2000 and Trang (075) 218-066.

Transportation within Trang Town
There are Tuk-Tuk and motorbike taxi available to any place in town for 10 Baht flat rate. The transportation between towns can be done conveniently by air-conditioned van, bus and taxi.

By bus
The Transportation Company Limited provides daily services both of non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses, leaving from the Southern Bus Terminals at the third kilometer on Pinklao-Nakhonchaisi Road.
Further information can be acquired by calling 435-1199, 435-1200

By Train
Trains run daily from Bangkok to Hatyai. Visitors can take a taxi, bus, van to Satun
Contact : Bangkok Railway Station , Tel. (662) 223-7010, 223-7020, 225-0300 Ext. 5100-3.

By plane
Thai Airways International offers daily flights from Bangkok to Hatyai. From Hatyai visitors can take a taxi, bus, van to Satun. Flight reservations can be made at Tel. (02)280-0060, 628-2000.

Transportation to Koh Bulon
From Hatyai, visitors can use the same modes of transportation and follow the same routes that go to Tarutao. Boats can be boarded at Pak Bara Pier daily, leaving at 14:00 hours and returning at 9:00 hours. One way ticket costs Baht 110 per person. The trip takes one and a half-hour.

       Facilities
       Food and lodging services are available on the island.
              1. Moolone Bungalows: Reservations can be made at Pak Bara Pier.
              2. Pan Sand Resort: Reservations can be made at Pak Bara Pier.
       Accommodation rates range between Bath 100-1,000 per unit/ night.

How to get to Thale Ban Swamp
Thale Ban National Park is located in Village No.11, Tambon Khuan Satore, Amphoe Khuan Don, approximately 30 kilometers from the town of Satun. It can be reached by following Highway No . 406 ( Satun - Hatyai ) from Amphoe Muang until reaching Kilometer 19, take a right turn onto Highway No. 4184 (Khuan Satore-Wang Prachan) for approximately 20 kilometers. From Haad Yai, visitors can take a public bus (Hat Yai-Satun) or a taxi, which will take about 80 kilometers. Get off at Khuan Satore T - intersection and board a minibus to the Park.

Facilities
Thirteen cottages can accommodate 170 visitors to the park. The rates for the accommodation range from 500 - 1,000 Baht/cottage/night. There is a camping site ( campers must bring their own camping gear ), and facilities include lamps for camping, a multi-purpose pavilion, and visitors' service center.

       For more information, please contact:-
              1. National Park Division , Forestry Department, Tel:(02) 5797223 and 5797734 or 5614922 ext 724-5
              2. Thale Ban National Park Office, Amphoe Khuan Don

Transportation to Tarutao National Park
There are boat services running between Pak Bara Pier and Tarutao Island twice a day during tourist season (end of November to early May). To get to Pak Bara pier, visitors can travel from Hatyai in Songkhla Province which is the main hub of southern provinces, by the following ways;

By Car:
Follow Highway No.406 to Satun and turn to Highway No.4078 at Chalong T-intersection to Amphoe La-ngu and proceed further to Pak Bara.

By Bus:
Take a Hatyai-Satun bus from Hatyai. Get off at Chalong T-intersection and take a Satun-La ngu bus or take a minibus from Chalong T-intersection straight to Pak Bara Pier.

By Taxi:
There is a taxi service from Hatyai to La-ngu to Pak Bara. Taxi stand in Hatyai is opposite the post office on Rattakarn Road.

By Air-conditioned Van:
A Hatyai-Pak Bara air-conditioned van service operates daily between 6.00-16.00 hrs. A van leaves every hour and the trip takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. The van stand is on Prachathipat Road.

The other alternative to get to the island is to hire a fishing boat from Che Bilang Pier which is a deep sea pier in Tambon Che Bilang 13 kilometers from the town of Satun.
Access to other islands in the archipelago depends on the season. Travelling during the southwest monsoon season is not recommend due to strong wind ans stormy weather. The best time to visit is between late December and early May.

Accommodation
For information on accommodation, please contact the Public Relations Work and Accommodation Services, National Park Division, Forestry Department, Bangkok, Tel: (02) 5797223, 5795734, during office hours; or the Satun branch, Tel: (074) 781285, 729002-3 during office hours.

Subject to weather conditions, there are daily express boats between Thong Sala and Ko Tao, 47 km north, at 2.30 p.m. The trip takes 2 1/2 hours and costs Baht 150 one way. Rossarin Tour operates speed boats between Thong Sala and Ka Tao a couple of times a day for Baht 350 per person; the crossing only takes about an hour.

Train/Bus/Boat Combinations
At Bangkok's Hualamphong station you can purchase train tickets that include a bus from the Surat Thani train station (Phun Phin) to the Ban Don pier and then a ferry to ko Pha-Ngan. These generally cost around 30 to 50 Baht more than baying each ticket separately yourself.

Boat

Tao - Chumphon		Chumphon - Tao
Songserm Express Boat	dep. 15:00h - arr. 17:30h	Songserm Express Boat	dep. 07:30h - arr. 10:15h
Koh Tao Cruiser	dep. 10:30h - arr. 13:30h	Koh Tao Cruiser	dep. 07:00h - arr. 09:30h
Ekawin Speed Ferry	dep. 11:00h - arr. 13:30h	Ekawin Speed Ferry	dep. 07:30h - arr. 10:00h
Lomlahk Speed Boat	dep. 15:00h - arr. 16:30h	Lomlahk Speed Boat	dep. 07:30h - arr. 09:00h
Slow Boat	dep. 10:00h - arr. 15:00h	Night Boat	dep. 24:00h - arr. 05:00h
Tao - Samui		Samui - Tao
Songserm Express Boat	dep. 10:30h - arr. 13:00h dep. 14:00h - arr. 17:00h	Songserm Express Boat	dep. 09:00h - arr.11:30h dep. 11:00h - arr. 14:30h
Speed Boats	dep. 09:30h - arr. 11:00h dep. 15:00h - arr. 16:30h	Speed Boats	dep. 08:30h - arr. 10:00h dep. 12:00h - arr. 13:30h
Slow Boat	dep. 09:30h - arr. 13:00h	Slow Boat	dep. 09:30h - arr. 13:30h
Lomprayah Catamaran	dep. 10:30h - arr. 12:00h dep. 15:00h - arr. 16:30h	Lomprayah Catamaran	dep. 08:00h - arr. 09:30h dep. 12:30h - arr. 14:00h
Tao - Phangan		Phangan - Tao
Songserm Express Boat	dep. 10:30h - arr. 12:00h dep. 14:00h - arr. 15:30h	Songserm Express Boat	dep. 10:00h - arr. 11:30h dep. 12:30h - arr. 14:00h
Speed Boats	dep. 09:30h - arr. 10:30h dep. 15:00h - arr. 16:00h	Speed Boats	dep. 09:30h - arr. 10:30h dep. 12:30h - arr. 13:30h
Slow Boat	dep. 09:30h - arr. 12:30h	Slow Boat	dep. 10:30h - arr. 14:00h
Lomprayah Catamaran	dep. 10:30h - arr. 11:30h dep. 15:00h - arr. 16:00h	Lomprayah Catamaran	dep. 08:30h - arr. 09:30h dep. 13:00h - arr. 14:00h
Tao - Suratthani		Suratthani - Tao
Songserm Express Boat	dep. 10:30h - arr. 16:30h	Songserm Express Boat	dep. 08:00h - arr. 14:00h
Night Boat	dep. 20:30h - arr. 05:30h	Night Boat	dep. 23:00h - arr. 08:00h
Note: all information is subject to change due to weather conditions or other circumstances without prior notice, please confirm all details carefully with the booking office

Getting Around
Koh Tao has one major concrete road which connects the north end of Sairee with Chalok Baan Kao in the south, while passing the main village Mae Haad in the middle.
There is an increasing amount of small concrete roads leading to the other beaches and bays. Everywhere else you will find more or less accessible dirt tracks, most of which will challenge even a skilled driver. Steep trails, sharp curves, sand and grit, potholes, washed out tracks and the occasional dropping coconut demand mindful driving and fast reactions.
Vehicles in Thailand drive usually on the left, but traffic rules are often freely interpreted, speed limits are not observed and suicidal dogs prefer sleeping on the roads, which are often narrow. You must always be prepared to make room for the occasional moving or still obstacle.
Yet, it is not as bad as it seems, as long as you drive carefully and remember that an accident will hurt body and budget as well. Motorcycles can be rented from 150 B, Jeeps from 1000 B, the deposit of a passport is required.

       However there are many other options of getting around:
       Pick-up and Motorbike Taxis
       These can be found parked in busy areas, or can be stopped at the roadside. They run from early morning until 11 p.m. Please be aware that taxi prices are not fixed and fares tend to double after darkness. To avoid mis-understandings always discuss the cost before the ride.
Basic taxi prices:
from Mae Haad
       to Sairee Beach or Chalok Baan Kao: 1 pers. 30 B
       to Tanote: 1-4 pers. 200 B / to Hin Wong: 1-2 pers. 100 B
       to Ao Leuk or Thian Og: 1-2 pers. 80 B
from Sairee
       to Chalok Baan Kao: 60 B / to Ao Leuk: 1-2 pers. 120 B

       Boat Taxis
       The colourful, traditional Long Tail Boats take you conveniently and quickly to stunning remote beaches and secluded bays. You can find them at all the main beaches, they can be chartered for a short trip or a day tour. Prices are quite consistent and reasonable:
Trips from Mae Haad
       to Chalok Baan Kao: 150 B per person
       to Nang Yuan: 1-2 persons 100 B
       to Tanote Bay: 1-3 persons 300 B
       around the island: 1-4 persons 1000 B

Some advice that matters not only in Koh Tao:
Please keep in mind that you are a visitor and treat the locals and the environment with the necessary respect. Try to blend in rather than to stick out, your customs are not the standards here. For example: Thais are offended by nudity; decent clothing in religious sites is required; losing your temper means losing your face and gets you nowhere.
Imagine how many visitors have been here already and how many of them might have misbehaved, naturally this reflects on the future ones. So always being friendly, polite and calm, keep smiling even when it seems difficult, will help a lot and open many doors.
If you have a complaint rather try to explain than to demand, your needs are not necessarily understood.
When you feel wronged or cheated, consider if the cause is worth the hassle and maybe just follow the true Thai tradition of "Mai Pen Rai" meaning "Never mind" ...and always keep smiling.

How to get to Rayong
There are 3 ways to travel to Rayong :

Air
- 45 minutes from Bangkok airport to Utapao airport by Orient Thai Airline.
Car/Taxi
- from Bangkok by main road No. 3 or Sukhumvit road in 3 Hours.
- You can hire a taxi from the Bangkok area to Rayong province for about 2,000 Baht.
Bus (Air conditioned)

Bus time table

Bangkok - Rayong city
- from Bangkok, The bus leaves from Eakamai station, trips start from 04.00 until 22.00 every 40 minutes.
- Air conditioner bus 85 Baht/Trip. (Bangkok: 66 2 3914990, Rayong: 66 38 611511)
- Non air bus 47 Baht/Trip. (Bangkok: 66 2 3912504, Rayong: 66 38 611378)
Rayong city - Bangkok
- from Rayong, The bus leave from Main station, trips start from 03.30 until 21.00, every 40 minutes.
Bangkok - Banpae (If you want to go to Koh Samed directly.)
- from Bangkok, The bus leave from Eakamai station, trips start from 07.00 until 20.30 every 40 minutes.
- from Banpae, The bus leave from Banpae station, trips start from 04.00 until 17.30, every hour.
- Check time table Bangkok: (66) 2 3912237, Banpae: (66) 38 651528
- The bus fee is 90 Baht/Trip

Travel to the islands
From Baan pae can take the boat to go to samed island or another islands.There are 3 ports for take the ferry ,the fare at 100 bath for round way .take time about 30 minutes to samed island .

By Road

From Bangkok, take Route 4, passing Prachuab Khirikan, Chumpon, and Ranong. Total distance is 788 kms. and travel time to Phang-Nga Town is approximately 12 hours.
From Phuket, use route 402, pass the parallel spans of Sarasin and Thao Thep Krasatri Bridges. You are now in Phang-Nga province. To go on to the provincial capital, go north to the town of Koke Kloy. Turn right (at Bangkok Bank), and follow Route 4 to Phang-Nga Town. You will pass Takua Thung along the way and cover a distance of 87 kms. Travel time is about 90 minutes
By Air & Non-Air
leave the Southern Bus Terminal Tel. (02) 435 1195.

Travel to Koh Yao
is available from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi, but leaving from Phuket is the most convenient.

For Yao Noi island, leave from Bang Rong Pier in Tambon Pa Khlok on Phuket's northeast shore to go to Ko Yao Noi. Mail boats ferry passenger mornings on a daily basis for 50 Baht per person (one way). Long-tail boats can be chartered for 600-1,200 Baht each way. (depend on number of passengers) The trip takes about 1 hour.

For Koh Yao Yai, leaves from Tien Sin Pier at 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. It also takes about 1 hour and the fare is 50 Baht per person (one way). Travel between Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai is 20 Baht. Boats leave from Ko Yao Noi's Manoh Pier and take 15 minutes to cross the channel.

Travel to the Similans
is easy from either Phang-Nga or Phuket. Chartered boats leave from Thap Lamu Pier in Thai Muang District of Phang-Nga and take about 3 hours to reach the islands. Here is also the office of National Park located. Alternatively, trips to the Similans can be arranged in Phuket. A boat trip from Patong Beach takes 2 hours by Andaman Marine Travel Tel (076)220665, 220184-6 Divers, however, go to the island on boat that leave from Patong Beach and also take 3 hours by diving companies. Moreover, visitor can leave from Chalong Bay on scuba diving excursions. These leave in the evening and take about 7 hours. A typical dive trip lasts 4 nights and 3 days, and includes 10 dives. Prices range from 9,000 to 25,000 Baht, depending on the level of luxury, and include food, and accommodations. The Similans are regarded as mainly "deep water" diving.

For those wishing to stay a short time on the Similans :
Basic accommodations are available at the National Park Office on Ko Miang and can be reserved by contacting : the Similan Islands National Park Office, Moo 1, Tambon Lam Kaen, Thai Muang District, Phang-Nga. Tel. (076) 959045, 421365. The best period to visit the Similans is from December through April, March being the best month, when the winds are lowest and the water clearest.

       Travel to the Surin Islands
can be initiated from several different points:
       From Khuraburi Pier, Ban Hin Lad. To reach Ban Hin Lahd, take the road (located at km. 110 on the Ranong-Takua Pa Highway) which splits from the main road at Ban Hin Lad School. Travel onward to the pier about 1 km. After embarking, travel to the islands takes 4-5 hours. Make a reservation for the boat trip in advance from the National Park Office Tel : (076) 491477-8, 595068.
       From Thap Lamu Pier in Thai Muang District. Travel time is 4-5 hours.
From Kaper Pier in Ranong Province, or contact the Janson Tara Hotel which has boats leaving from Chan Damri Beach for trips to the Surins.

For those wishing to stay on the Surins
basic accommodation are available at a very modest price in the National Park. For details (and information for individual travelers about joining a group to the islands) contact the Visitor's Center (076) 491378. Information about weather conditions and current numbers of visitors can sometimes be obtained from the Park Office located on the islands by calling (076) 419028-9; phone service to these isolated islands is, however, problematic.

Koh Samui - Express Boats
Songerm Co. express boats to Koh Pha-Ngan leave from the Na Thon pier on Koh Sami every day November to May at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the remainder of the year 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. The trip takes 50 minutes and costs Baht 50 one way. Boats back to Samui leave Pha-Ngan's Thong Sala pier at 6.15 and 1 p.m. daily; in this direction the fare is Baht 60.

Koh Samui - Other Boats
A small boat goes direct from Samui's Bang Rak (near Bo Phut village) to Hat Rin on Ko Pha-Ngan for Baht 50 to Baht 60 (depending on who's got the concession, the boat sometimes leaves from Bo Phut instead). This boat departs Bang Rak/Bo Phut just about every day at 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m., depending on the weather and number of prospective passengers, and takes 40 to 45 minutes to reach the bay at Hat Rin. In the reverse direction it usually leaves at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. and takes 30 to 40 minutes.

From January to September there is also one boat a day from Hat Mae Nam on Samui to Ao Thong Nai Pan on Pha-Ngan, with a stop at Hat Rin. The fares are Baht 120 and Baht 60 respectively and the boat usually leaves Mae Nai Pan around 8 a.m.. A new company called Rossarin Tour has 35-passenger speed boats that go between Samui's Hat Mae Nam and Thong Sala for Baht 150; this boat only takes about half an hour to reach Thong Sala.

Surat Thani - Night Ferry
Your can also take a slow night ferry direct to Pha-Ngan from the Ban Don pier in Surat. It leaves nightly at 11 p.m., takes 6 1/2 hours to arr