As one of the gateways to Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a major transportation hub. Suvarnabhumi (pronounced ‘su-wanna-poom’) Airport, 30 kms east of central Bangkok, opened for business officially in September 2006 and quickly became one of the busiest airports in the region.

          Older Don Muang Airport, located 24 kms north of central Bangkok, still serves domestic flights for several carriers. If you are flying within the region, check to see if your hotel is closer to Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi, as traffic in Bangkok is notoriously congested.

          There is a departure tax of 500 Baht per person when you leave Thailand. You will need to pay this at the airport as you depart, so be sure to set aside some Thai Baht before you use up all your local currency.

          Taxis - Bangkok has the usual assortment of taxis, both metered and non-metered. As in many Asian countries, taxi drivers are known to play fast and loose with a tourist’s money. It’s best to negotiate a fare in advance, or to insist on using the meter. As anywhere, get the driver’s business card if you can, so if you leave something in the taxi you have a chance of recovering it.

          Tuk-tuks - The tuk-tuk is a Thai icon. This three-wheeled conveyance is convenient for getting around traffic jams and navigating down narrow sois (lanes). As with taxis, agree on the fare before hopping in.

          Subway and SkyTrain - The biggest innovations in recent years are the underground system (MRT) and SkyTrain (BTS). As in other big cities, these systems can take you to all the major districts and at least close to all the major tourist sights. Best of all, you travel quickly and efficiently above or below the endless traffic jams for which Bangkok is known.

          River Travel - Be sure to avail yourself of the many inexpensive river transports and the few remaining klong (canal) boats. These offer picturesque transport and are sometimes essential to getting to some destinations.

          Buses - Buses are plentiful in the city and useful for getting to the outer reaches of the city. Not all buses are air conditioned, so check before you hop on.

          Trains - Trains run to distant reaches of the country and overnight trains to Chiang Mai are a popular method of travel. Sleeping compartments are available on overnight trains.

          Thai people are modest and dress modestly (except in the tourist districts). When visiting temples, legs and shoulders need to be covered. Monks should be shown respect at all times, and women are not allowed to touch a monk or even to hand something to them.

          It is considered very rude to touch someone on the top of the head, or to show the soles of your feet. Loud talking and big gestures are not considered good manners. A smile is always welcome, and displays of anger or temper are considered very bad indeed.

          Shoes are never worn in temples or homes, so slip-on shoes or sandals are the most practical footwear. Some shops also have a no shoes policy, so the general rule is that if you see shoes left outside the door, it’s a good idea to leave yours there as well.

          Tipping is not a traditional practice in Thailand, but you will find that in places frequented by Westerners, it is becoming more expected. As a rule, round up the bill to the nearest ten Baht or so. In upscale restaurants, a service charge is often added to the bill.