There are lots of reasons people don’t want to fly: phobias, money, hassle, there’s no airport, the lack of intimacy with the land we fly over – all valid points, indeed. One of the most famous of flying-phobic personalities in Europe was Dennis Bergkamp, who in his soccer playing days for Arsenal, steadfastly refused to fly anywhere. They sent him to phobia specialists, and even the reassuring words of the professorial Arsene Wenger couldn’t persuade the non-Flying Dutchman to take to the skies. He undoubtedly built up an enormous number of frequent, er, sailor miles over the years as he ploughed his way across the North Sea from England to his home in Holland.

But in Thailand, we are very lucky to have an excellent long distance bus service, where we can venture to where no planes land or where the service isn’t that great. Despite the low-cost airline prices being a lot less than ten years ago, they are still in the region of four times the cost of a first-class bus. Some towns in the North and the South simply don’t have an airport, anyway, so it’s the bus or nothing. This is where Thailand – and Asia – comes into its own.

If a traveler wants to really cut costs, then there’s the standard non-aircon bus, which is ridiculously cheap. From there, there are a whole range of options up to the fancy VIP buses, which come with fully reclining seats and safety belts, drinks on board, meals included at a stop (or two) along the way, and a very pretty bus for onlookers to admire. All this for a trip to Chiang Rai, for example, will cost you 920 baht, whilst the less salubrious version, still with aircon but smaller seats, is around 600 baht. It’s a bargain for an eleven-hour journey, day or night. In the UK, this choice doesn’t exist. The most popular, National Express (or National Distress as it is often called), sends out a bus, and that’s it. If you are lucky, it might be one of the new smart types, but it could equally be an old banger. You get whatever comes along, and you’ll be happy with that, damn it.

All this is probably old hat to many seasoned farangs who have been taking the buses up to various visa run border points for years. But nonetheless, there are still some visitors out there who believe the plane rules and head straight off to Suvunarbhumi without looking at the alternatives.

Now on the downside of these colourful vehicles, passengers have to put up with a few inconveniences, especially on the nighttime VIP bus. Basically, it’s freezing! Quite why the temperature has to be similar to the North Cape in February isn’t really clear, but when the driver appears wearing a woolly hat, the question does beg – why don’t they just turn the temperature up?! Blankets are handed out, and everything is done to stop passengers from getting frostbite, except for, well, increasing the temperature.

And then there’s the TV. As many will know, Thai TV programmes are made with an extra special sound system that records every smash-bang-wallop at the highest and sharpest level. Project that sound into a confined space, such as a bus with loudspeakers set every 3 or 4 feet above the rows of seats, and the effect is stunning. If the Thai passengers (who obviously suffer from hearing problems) cannot quite catch the latest verbal onslaught in their favorite soap, the charming hostess will turn the sound up to even more deafening volumes. This makes it impossible to rest and relax on the daytime bus. Thankfully, only one programme is shown on the night trip, and passengers are left to sleep in their respective igloos for most of the journey.

These minor inconveniences aside, the bus is a great option, saves money, and gives travelers the chance to see some of the Thai countryside, but the final question many ask after they have dozed off for a few hours at the beginning of the journey is… are we there yet? Don’t worry, there’s only another eight hours to go.

making a day of bike riding here extremely enjoyable. The bike rental shop is near the northwest corner on the outside perimeter of the park. Rentals are 20 baht for an entire day. If you rent from them five times, then your sixth visit is free. There are plenty of bikes, and the variety is wide, but keep in mind that some operate better than others. Many families ride bikes on the weekends, so when dodging kids riding all over the place, caution should be taken to ensure that yours is in working order, particularly the brakes!

Lumphini Park BTS stop: Sala Deang Location: Wireless Road and Rama IV

Lumphini is one of Bangkok’s best-known parks, largely due to its central location. The park features a lot of open space, green grass, and wide lanes. Riding a bike here is delightful, but you’ll have to go to Probike on Rajadamri to rent one. The shop has an import license with both Trek and Bontrager, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable. While in the park, just cross the street at Rajadamri, or take the BTS to Ratchadamri and walk for five minutes to the shop, located at 232/2 Rajadamri and open anytime after 8:30am.

Although it is far from common to practice bicycle safety in Bangkok, take the time to do so; if not for yourself, then for your loved ones. According to the Bike Helmet Safety Institute, a helmet can prevent approximately 60 percent of cyclists’ brain injuries. Even a small fall off of a bike can cause serious injury. Remember that bicycles are fun, but they aren’t toys. Proper use of them will ensure that everyone gets to go home happy. Never place a small child on an adult-sized bike without an appropriate child seat. Use your hand to signal when turning. Wear bright colors and use lights when riding in the evening, especially at dusk. Last, but certainly not least, always wear a helmet.

We’ll see you pedaling soon!

Smog in your eyes, aggressive drivers making illegal maneuvers, sweating from the tropical sun’s rays – riding a bicycle on the sois of Bangkok isn’t quite the ideal vision of fun. However, riding a bike in Bangkok sans hassle is possible. The city offers a number of pleasant locations to ride, away from the presence of motorized vehicles.

Parks are the ideal place for an escape from the city on two wheels. Don’t own a bicycle? No problem. Renting one is easy to do at or near Lumphini, Benjakiti and Chatutchak parks. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg either.

Benjakiti Park
BTS stop: Asoke
Location: Ratchadapisek near Sukhumvit Road.
Situated on some of the former grounds of the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, this park is immaculately manicured. With a large manmade pond taking up most of the park’s available space, it is an ideal spot for a few hours of riding. Two paths encircle the pond and are clearly marked for either pedestrians or riders. Cyclists strictly occupy the bike lane, which makes this park ideal for practicing a bicycle fitness program. Here you can rent bikes for 40 baht an hour, but start your day on the earlier side, as the selection is limited in number. The bike rental stand is in the northwest corner of the park if you imagine the entrance on Ratchadapisek to be at the southwest corner. To get there, take the BTS to Asoke station, exit 4, and walk up Ratchadapisek for approximately seven minutes.

Chatuchak Park
BTS stop: Mo Chit
Location: Thanon Kamphaeng Phet 3, north of Chatuchak Market.
There’s a small sliver of a park right next to the BTS and MRT stops that serve Chatuchak Market, but that’s not the only park in the area. Directly across the street from that small park is a much larger one. Chatuchak Park is also known as Rot Fai Park because it is home to many old trains, which are showcased at the SRT Train Museum. Unlike many other parks in Bangkok, this one makes you feel as though you have escaped the city, as it is more densely wooded and larger in size. You can feel the temperature drop as you walk into the park,