Vehicles

1. รถยนต์

   Rót yon

   Car

   Usage

   The general word for a car. In daily speech "rot" alone is enough

2. รถเมล์

   Rót me

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus in Bangkok. Show it with the route number to get pointed to the right stop

3. รถทัวร์

   Rót thua

   Long-distance coach

   Usage

   The intercity coach. Show it with your destination at the bus terminal

4. รถตู้

   Rót tû

   Shared minivan

   Usage

   The shared minivan to nearby cities — faster and more frequent than the bus. Big luggage may cost extra

5. รถไฟ

   Rót fai

   Train

   Usage

   The national railway. Used for the overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai or the south

6. รถไฟฟ้า BTS

   Rót fai fá BTS

   BTS Skytrain

   Usage

   Bangkok’s elevated rail — the first choice for beating traffic. Saying "BTS" alone works

7. รถไฟฟ้าใต้ดิน MRT

   Rót fai fá tâi din MRT

   MRT subway

   Usage

   Bangkok’s metro. Separate gates and tickets from the BTS, so you buy again when you change

8. รถไฟฟ้าแอร์พอร์ตเรลลิงก์

   Rót fai fáa Airport Rail Link

   Airport Rail Link

   Usage

   The rail line between Suvarnabhumi Airport and the city — the only option with a predictable travel time

9. แท็กซี่

   Tháeksî

   Taxi

   Usage

   Always ask for the meter before you get in — pointing at "mitoe" is the fastest way

10. รถตุ๊กตุ๊ก

    Rót túk túk

    Tuk-tuk

    Usage

    Thailand’s three-wheeled taxi. No meter, so agree the fare before you get in

11. รถสองแถว

    Rót sǒng thǎeo

    Song thaeo (shared pickup)

    Usage

    A pickup with two facing benches — the main local transport outside Bangkok. Press the buzzer or tap the roof to get off

12. มอเตอร์ไซค์

    Motôesai

    Motorbike

    Usage

    Used when renting. Without an international licence and a helmet you risk a fine

13. มอเตอร์ไซค์รับจ้าง

    Motôesai ráp châng

    Motorbike taxi

    Usage

    Look for the orange vests — the fastest way over a short distance in traffic. Show your destination and agree the price first

14. รถสามล้อ

    Rót sǎm ló

    Samlor (three-wheeler)

    Usage

    The pedal-powered three-wheeler, still working in old towns such as Chiang Mai

15. จักรยาน

    Chàkkràyan

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Use it to rent a bike for Ayutthaya or other historic towns

16. เครื่องบิน

    Khrûeang bin

    Airplane

    Usage

    Used for domestic flights and for asking how to get to the airport

17. เรือ

    Ruea

    Boat

    Usage

    The general word for boats — the starting point for island hops and river trips

18. เรือหางยาว

    Ruea hǎng yao

    Long-tail boat

    Usage

    The distinctive Thai boat with a long propeller shaft. Used for canal tours and island trips — agree the return time when you charter one

19. เรือด่วน

    Ruea dùan

    Express boat

    Usage

    The Chao Phraya river bus. Flag colours mark different stopping patterns, so check the colour too

20. เรือข้ามฟาก

    Ruea khâm fak

    Cross-river ferry

    Usage

    The small boat that just crosses to the other bank — the way to Wat Arun. It costs a few baht

21. เรือเฟอร์รี่

    Ruea foerî

    Ferry

    Usage

    The larger vessel to islands such as Samui and Pha Ngan — it takes vehicles too

22. เจ็ตสกี

    Chèt sà ki

    Jet ski

    Usage

    A beach rental. Damage-claim scams are common — photograph every existing scratch before you set off

23. รถกระบะ

    Rót kràbà

    Pickup truck

    Usage

    The most common vehicle upcountry — people often ride in the bed

24. รถบรรทุก

    Rót banthúk

    Truck

    Usage

    Used when describing an accident or road conditions

25. รถพยาบาล

    Rót pháyaban

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show this word to have one called. The nationwide emergency number is 1669

26. รถเช่า

    Rót châo

    Rental car

    Usage

    Used at a rental desk. You will be asked for an international licence and your passport

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