Life from the back of a baht bus

THINK BOX

Published: 20 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Life

More than a few seasoned travellers I know suggest that when you want to get a real feel for your destination, you should definitely visit a fresh market. There you can learn more about local lifestyles, how lives begin in the morning, partake of local delicacies and, perhaps most interestingly, observe town hygiene.

As much as such thoughts ring true, I also believe that another way to truly learn about a place you're visiting is to get around by local transport.

Every country has its means of transportation, from mass transit to mule carriers. In my years as a travel writer, I have learned a lot when I hop on and off whatever ride takes me along the way.

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deville
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Discussion 2 : 20 Mar 2013 at 22.372
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In Bangers I much prefer the orange mini-buses that Abhisit or Sukhumband brought in (to considerable protest from the operators) to replace the ancient green ones. They are as much fun as the red buses to whiz around on, but you don't wanna get stuck in traffic.
It will be a sad day if Thailand ever goes to buses without conductors. 'Penny-wise, pound foolish' is the expression that comes to mind.
Still, T.I.T, and there's no shortage of that.
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oldairman
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Discussion 1 : 20 Mar 2013 at 08.181
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I normally only use the song theaw on the rare ocassion that I am in Pattaya and down there I found 98% of them very good.
On the other hand I live 6 km from the big village out in rural Thailand which is where the song theaw runs from but in the other direction up to Khampaeng Phet. It is the main cheap link to the city as there is no real bus route.
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Life from the back of a baht bus | Bangkok Post: opinion