Chiang Mai Airport, the 4th best in the world

Via: Pattaya Mail

Chiang Mai International Airport has been named one of the top-5 airports in the world.

Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT) President Anirut Thanomkulbutra said on Thursday that the latest survey by the Airports Council International (ACI) has shown that Chiang Mai International Airport is ranked no. 4 on its list of the world’s best airports in the category of airports with annual traffic of UNDER 5 million passengers.

Mr. Anirut said that the report on the ranking was officially announced on February 14th.

According to the AOT President, thirty-four airports from around the world took part in the latest ranking.

He stated that the survey result came from the answers provided by international passengers to 33 questions that the ACI had raised on their satisfaction toward such issues as the cleanliness, the overall ambience, the politeness of staff and the safety measures.

Mr. Anirut went on to say that being the 4th best airport in the world showed that Chiang Mai International Airport has somewhat succeeded in managing its facilities and providing impressive service to travelers after all these years.

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/chiang-mai-airport-the-4th-best-in-the-world-10491

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Thai Visa (dot) com

I think this is the BEST ‘expat’ source of information for people who:

- LIVE in Thialand

or,

- are considering MOVING to Thailand

or,

- are simply thinking about VISITING Thailand

http://www.thaivisa.com/

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Bangkok – Rails Across the River

For years, Bangkok commuters have faced a rushhour nightmare on the way to work or school each morning. That nightmare lasts longest in Sathorn, the capital’s prime business district – and its most congested. But from today, the Skytrain is giving gridlocked commuters a key to freedom.     

The BTS extension from Saphan Taksin station to Wong Wian Yai – the first Skytrain route to venture across the river to Thon Buri – is being launched with a trial run at 5.20am before opening to the public at 8am.

Jump out of the jam

It should help ease the traffic jams along the Sathorn Road King Taksin Bridge route, the most congested road in Bangkok, says Jumpol Sumpaopol, directorgeneral of the Bangkok Traffic and Transport Department.

“We expect about 2,000 vehicles per hour during rush hour after the BTS extension opens, compared to almost 15,000 vehicles currently,” says Jumpol.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/read.php?newsid=30102725&keyword=rails+across+the+river

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Reuce the vehicles from 15,000, to 2,000 per hour; hmmm, seems a bit too optimistic to me, but hey, it is, ‘AMAZING, Thailand!’

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Tip for out of towners: The Sky Train is a very inexpensive; and compared to the taxis, FAST.

Plus, with the elevated tracks, you get a terrific view of Krung Thep – the City of Angels.

Chiang Mai – Samlors

Because they make very little money, and it’s a damn tough job, there are very few young samlor peddlers left in Chiang Mai.

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One of drivers I see on my rounds is a very old dude, my age, name of Tip.

We ALWAYS exchange smiles, wais and sawadi krups; and I’m usually asked, ‘Where you go?”.

Last night, walking home from dinner I just happen to have a travel brochure in my hand, so when he asked, “Where you go?”

I said, pointing to the samlor, and the photo of the Grand Palace, “How much?”.

He laughed and laughed, and pointing to his friend, said, “No, No, not me; he take you”.

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The Grand Palace is in Bangkok, +/- 450 miles to the south.

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Note: This whole business about Thailand being the ‘Land of Smiles’; well I tell ya what, it’s NOT a cliche.

Chiang Mai – toolin’ round town

Anyway, like I was sayin’, you can walk, bike, or take a cab. You can samlor, scoot or tuk. That’s – that’s about it.

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Walking:

Chiang Mai is a compact city, and it’s a joy to walk the narrow sois (streets), past the gazillion wats (Buddhist temples), markets, bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc, etc. The ONLY drawback to walking here is the krappy sidewalks; but hey, it’s a +700 year old city.

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Biking:

I recently read in a Thai (English-language paper), because of the economic conditions, bicycle sales are way up. Bad drivers are a definite minus, but a definite plus is the city is as flat as a board.

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Motor scooters:

They are very popular with the Thai people and falangs (foreigners). They of course burn very little gas and are a cinch to park.

And they are dirt cheap – you can rent a Honda or Yamaha scooter for 200baht ($6) per day, which INCLUDES insurance and a helmet. Of course if you rent for a longer period, the price drops dramatically.

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Cars:

A lot of foreigners live out in the country, or up in the hills/mountains, and end up driving. Japanese cars/small trucks are the most popular, and are reasonably priced, especially if a year or two old. Gas is more expensive here than the States, but insurance and repairs are much cheaper.

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Metered Taxis:

They are metered, providing you can get the damn drivers to use ‘em. They don’t cruise the city, so the only time I take ‘em is to and from the airport. But they are very clean and quite inexpensive

Note: Threatening to get out, is ALWAYS successful in getting ‘em to meter up.

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Samlor: (pedi-cabs) usually to be found near the Thai markets, or the touristy areas.

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Tuk-Tuk (see photo):

One person a little pricy; two people perfect; three, not impossible to fit in, but …

Fares are negotiable up front, but you MUST be able to bargain; but man, they are so much fun!!!

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Songtaews:

Canopied pickup, with two (song) bench (taew) seats.

These are essentially communal taxis.

You hold up a hand to get them to stop, and then you tell the driver where you are going.

If he is going in that general direction, he’ll nod his head and you’ll then jump in the back, and off you go.

When you get to your destination, you’ll pay the driver 20-baht ($.60). The routes vary depending on the destination of the other passengers, and I find it a terrific way to meet Thais and fellow falangs.

Note: They recently increased the fare of the Red songtaews from 15 baht to 20-baht, and this is a REAL HARDSHIP or many of the riders; but on the other hand, the drivers haven’t had an increase in ten-years, so …

Note: The Red songtaews cover the entire central city.

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How do I get around? I usually walk; take a songtaew, and an occasion tuk-tuk. I estimate my in-town travel expenses to be less than $50 a month.

I like the costs, but I like even better, MUCH BETTER, being GREEN.