The Monte Toboggan on Portugal's Madeira Island is just one of many ways locals have created to get from one place to another, ways that we believe are a vital part of a local travel experience

We believe that the different forms of local transport are unique qualities of a place that, when experienced, are a vital part of a local travel experience. To know a place is to get around it the way local people do: cramming yourself into a chicken bus in South America, throwing caution to the wind in a tuk-tuk in Southeast Asia or boarding a ferry in Africa. We dare you to give them a try! We’re sure you will find these rides to be a brilliant bonding experience with locals.

To inspire you… and in honour of our recent focus on local transport, we asked our network of local travel professionals all over the world to give us a glimpse of the best local conveyances in their destinations. Their responses are as varied as they are colourful – everything from trains and boats and buses to animal power and bicycles and three-wheeled wonders.

We’re pleased to present this gallery of the best of local transport inside the whl.travel network.To make it work:
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Trains on the Right Track

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Bicycles Worldwide

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Buses Not to Miss

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Muscle Power

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Transport on the Water

(click here to read more)

Three-Wheeled Wonders

(click here to read more)

Amidst the hubbub, no matter what you do and where you go, one of the many knots you have to untangle is Bangkok transport, especially taxis: You’ll see a variety of options zipping down the road, including regular-vehicle taxis, motorbike taxis and the iconic tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motor carriages) with their ‘taxi’ signs all lit up.

As a foreigner, you’re sometimes an easy target for tourist price-gouging and other tricks used by shifty drivers. Many just think of you as a dumb tourist and the chances are slim that you’ll be able to convince them otherwise. However, you can arm yourself with some useful information from the local Thai ladies who are the whl.travel local connection in Bangkok. They offer you some little-known truths about tuk-tuks and taxis.

For 'farangs' (foreigners) in Bangkok, Thailand, the tuk-tuk moment of truth is negotiating prices with the driver. Stand your ground! Photo courtesy of flickr/To Uncertainty And Beyond

Car Taxis vs. Tuk-tuks

Local Thai people consider tuk-tuks to be somewhat less dignified than four-wheeled vehicle taxis, the latter with meters to measure distance and price. In a city like Bangkok, locals are only willing to take tuk-tuks for short trips where they know the exact distance to their destination and can calculate a fair price for themselves. The driver and passenger will both bargain hard to agree on a fair rate.

For foreigners, though, tuk-tuks can turn out to be even more expensive than vehicle taxis if you don’t know the going price and stand your ground on negotiations. Tuk-tuk drivers will try to charge fresh tourists 200 Thai baht (about US$6.50) for a distance they would quote 40 baht (US$1.50) to a Thai local.

Tuk-tuks in Bangkok are some of the most expensive in Thailand. This 'luxury' tuk-tuk shuttles its classy clients to and from an upscale condominium complex. Photo courtesy of flickr/Ian Fuller

Commissions and Tourist Traps

Watch out for tuk-tuk drivers who try to take you to their friends’ businesses. They do this in order to receive a commission. They’ll try to drop you at retailers, restaurants, hotels and even ping-pong shows where their buddies have something to sell you. Sometimes it can be worthwhile to just go with it – if you don’t play along, disreputable drivers might leave you somewhere half way to your destination.

Also, take note that the closer you are to a popular tourist attraction, the more a tuk-tuk driver will try to charge you. Walk a few blocks away from the roads adjacent to the major points of interest and that might save you a little on the tuk-tuk price. Watch out for car taxis in these areas, too – they’ll quote you a (very inflated) price and refuse to use their meters.

In the rush-hour traffic of Bangkok, Thailand, tuk-tuks are speedier than their car counterparts, but still not as fast and furious as motorbike taxis. Photo courtesy of flickr/Jody Art

Motorbike Taxis vs. Tuk-tuks

Bangkok tuk-tuks are more expensive than in most other Thai cities, and it may be the case that a car taxi is actually cheaper than a tuk-tuk. But in the thick of afternoon rush-hour traffic, tuk-tuks have the advantage of being able to squeeze through narrower passages and avoid some of the congestion.

Another option is the motorbike taxi, which is even speedier and more agile in heavy traffic than the tuk-tuk. But before you hop on a motor taxi, ask yourself what your mother would think. She’s right on this one – motorcycles are dangerous. Motorbike taxi drivers can be a whole new level of crazy, and you can spot motorbike accidents on a regular basis.

At night in Bangkok, Thailand, you might be lucky enough to find your very own little light show inside your tuk-tuk. Photo courtesy of flickr/victoriapeckham

Tuk-tuks at Night

Tuk-tuk rides at night might cost you even more than they would during the day. Since it’s nighttime, you’re a farang and you may have had a few drinks, drivers try to charge a premium. They’ll also be looking for a way to bring their bar-owner friends some business.

On the bright side, one thing to look forward to is the awesome glow-light décor that some tuk-tuk drivers have installed in their rides. In some cases, the tuk-tuk ride between bars and clubs will be the best light show of the night. It’s like a little rave party on wheels, speeding through the streets of Bangkok.

Four Thai students fill the back of a tuk-tuk to capacity. Two or three more could jump in and 'stuff' it to get more bang for their baht. Photo courtesy of flickr/pulfabio

Try the ‘Tuk-tuk Stuffing’ Trick

Since tuk-tuk taxi drivers have so many tricks up their sleeves, it’s only fair to pass along this little one that local Thai people (especially students) like to pull on tuk-tuks to get the most for their money. Usually, maximum capacity for a tuk-tuk is three or four passengers. If a driver sees that a bigger group wants a ride, he might refuse. So, you pull a bait-and-switch.

Step 1: Most of the group hides somewhere nearby (or acts like unrelated bystanders).
Step 2: Two or three people from the group hail the tuk-tuk and negotiate a price.
Step 3: The negotiators board the tuk-tuk and gesture to their hiding friends.
Step 4: Quickly, everyone jumps on board the tuk-tuk and stuffs themselves into it, using whatever acrobatics are necessary to stay on and hoping the driver also has a sense of humour.

Are you planning a trip to Bangkok, Thailand? Be sure to have the tuk-tuk experience at least once. And contact Teamworkz, the local connection in Thailand, to book an unforgettable trip.

Bangkok Food Tours visit local eateries that have established themselves as neighbourhood bests. Famous specialties are spotlighted, like the best Royal-recipe green curry in town pictured above. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Food Tours

Promoting the Best in Bangkok

With so much to take in, there are many sightseeing tours in Bangkok through which to maximise your Bangkok holiday. However, if you are in Thailand with a hankering for authentic local experiences, a food tour guarantees something unforgettable. With that in mind, in March 2011, Bangkok Food Tours launched personal food-tasting tours to the city’s best-kept secret food spots.

The idea originated with three Thai friends who were studying in the United States. They would serve authentic Thai food at house parties and receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from their friends. They also observed that, despite the large number of Thai restaurants found in the US, there was still very limited knowledge about Thai food.

In Thailand, a meal is never completed without a delicious sweet. On the Historic Bangrak Food Tour, traditional Thai coconut ice cream is served. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Food Tours

The Bangkok Food Tours team therefore set out on a mission to show the world that Thai food is more than just pad thai, curries and chicken satay. They started a Facebook page called I love Thai Food through which to bring Thai food-lovers together. They also started a blog called the Thai Food Insider, on which they share local knowledge about Thailand’s best local dishes and the best places to eat in the country.

Local Tours for all Tastes

After travelling extensively and enjoying different cuisines from around the world, the thee Thai friends realised that no one offered comprehensive and truly local food tours in Bangkok. And so Bangkok Food Tours was born, to bring hungry travellers to the most delicious neighbourhoods of Bangkok and inspire them to taste a variety of dishes – from street food and kiosks to local restaurants and even fine dining.

The guided tours also educate travellers about the history behind the dishes, the regions from which they originate  and the local ingredients involved. Take, for example, the Historic Bangrak Food Tasting & Culture Tour. Bangrak is a district at the heart of Bangkok that is home to many old family-run restaurants that have been around for three or four generations. Travellers get to meet a few restaurant owners and learn more about them and their food.

On Bangkok Food Tours, a wireless radio earpiece is given to all participants so that they can hear the tour guide clearly even on noisy streets or if they lag behind a bit to take pictures. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Food Tours

Starting in May 2011, the Chinatown Foodie Walk & Culture Tour started exploring Thailand’s 200-year-old Chinatown, tasting the delicacies and visiting the cultural monuments along the way.

Bangkok Food Tours also offers private group tours for anyone who would like to design their own food trips.

Well aware of the kinds of scams to which travelers fall prey, Bangkok Food Tours is dedicated to quality tour experiences that are worth every penny. The price includes transport costs, the food you will be tasting and any other activity stated on the itinerary. Bangkok Food Tours hate hidden costs as much as everyone else.

Bangkok Food Tours participants have a chance to visit historical and cultural landmarks along the walking route, like this 200-year-old Buddhist temple. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Food Tours

Giving Back to the Food Community

While the whole Bangkok Food Tours team is happy to educate travellers about the culture and stories behind Thai food, they are also committed to bringing new customers to their favourite hidden food spots in Bangkok. Eventually they will also give part of their profits to local communities in Thailand.

“We started Bangkok Food Tours because in the long run, we would like to become a key player who helps to energise the Thai travel industry with the introduction of innovative travel experiences,” shared Chinawut Chinaprayoon, one of the three creative minds behind the business and a proud homegrown citizen of Bangkok. “We aim to connect local people and local values with travellers, and ultimately to help grow the sustainable tourism sector in the Thai market.”

Food Tours Outside of Bangkok?

While the diverse communities of Bangkok have inspired a wide variety of dishes around which to base tours, future plans include food trips to a other regions.

“We might start with Chiang Mai, as one of us hails from that city,” Chinawut revealed. Despite the excitement, for now they are focusing on building a larger following in Bangkok before branching out.

If you search on the Web for something like “best international food,” Thai cuisine is virtually guaranteed to appear in all top-10-best-foods lists. With the complexity of tastes, the reliance on fresh ingredients and a wide variety of dishes, eating never fails to be a highlight on anyone’s trip to Thailand. On your next trip to Bangkok, try stepping out of the malls and into the streets. Drop the guidebook and get the lowdown from the local food experts at Bangkok Food Tours.

Having some family visitors who wanted to see it forced my hand though and off we went. We left early (around 6am) and were there by 8am – stopping along the way at a small coconut factory at a local house, where coconuts could be seen being made into pretty much everything from homemade sweets to bedside lamps.

A breakfast of noodle soup supplied on the canal-side from a woman floating by in her boat was delicious; we were happy to have gotten up early to avoid most of the crowds. We hired a small paddle boat (from which this photo was taken) and drifted slowly in between the stalls and boats.

As expected, by 10am the place had more farangs (foreigners) than locals, and with the locals already looking to pack up and go home, we bought as much fresh fruit as we could carry and headed off.

While the Damneon Saduak Floating Market is on the well-worn tourist path, it is still worth a visit. Some tips to improve your visit:

• Get there early, before 8am. By 9-10am it fills up with tourists and by 11am the market is shutting down.
• Don’t expect a ‘traditional market’ – this is a fun market to visit, but it has developed into a major tourist attraction.
• There is a lot of tacky souvenirs for sale – it is an experience to visit and explore – but not a place for high quality handicrafts.
• Try the food stalls – the local food is great!

That said, it’s hard to find a subject that stirs as much pride, interest, passion and debate as a discussion of cuisine. Getting to grips with the local grub is as much a part of the travel experience as immersing oneself in the local culture, engaging with local people and learning the local lingo; it is definitely one of the highlights of any trip.

Thanks to the efforts of our whl.travel and Urban Adventures local partners around the globe, we’ve managed to assemble a pretty extensive selection of typical local appetisers, soups and stews, main dishes, vegetarian dishes, desserts, drinks and snacks and street foods, many even with recipes, but all recommended by inside local experts.

So start by using our photo gallery below, limber up your jaw and start munching!

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Appetisers

Soups & Stews

Main Dishes

Vegetarian Dishes

Desserts

Drinks

Snacks & Street Food

A young lady from the Akha hill tribe (Thailand) sports a traditional head-dress

As idyllic as it sounds, we believe that there is more to the experience of Thailand than your snapshot taken beside a giant Buddha or a secluded beach, no matter how stunning they may be. In each destination, our local partners connect travellers with a selection of socially conscious tours and experiences designed for real immersion in Thai history and culture. It’s the difference between “I was there” and “I was there and did this… and by doing this I was able to help!”

Consider these alternative tour options around Thailand, all able to deliver an experience that is unforgettable and possibly life-changing, not just for you, but for the communities you visit.

Bangkok: A Trip to the Floating Market and Jim Thompson’s House

Instead of shopping in Bangkok’s modern malls, try visiting the famous, traditional floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, 50 miles west of the city. Unlike most tours to the floating market, this one starts at 6:45am, so you see what happens before the bulk of tourists arrive. A small boat gets you up close to the action, so you can explore the commerce of this colourful and bustling daily gathering. On the way back to Bangkok, you stop at the 127-metre-high Chedi at Nakhon Pathom – the tallest stupa in the world – and then enjoy a scrumptious lunch at the house (now a national museum) of Jim Thompson, the renowned 20th-century American designer who revitalised Thailand’s silk industry.

The floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, 50 miles west of Bangkok, have been a popular tourist destination since featuring in the 1974 James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. Photo by Teamworkz

Chiang Rai: Hill Tribe Excursion

Like other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is home to a variety of ethnic minority groups. The hill tribes of today living peacefully in the highlands of northern Thailand are the descendants of groups who migrated from China and Tibet centuries ago. On this tour near Chiang Rai, you get an inside look at the traditional culture of the Akha tribes (see photo at top) in the villages of Santikhiri, Therd Thai and Laoma. You also pass through an extensive tea plantation and even visit the former headquarters of notorious drug baron Khun Sa! There’s no better way to immerse yourself in remote village life than this.

Chiang Mai: At the Crack of Dawn

This unique tour sees you start the day in Chiang Mai at sunrise when there’s much more happening than you might have thought. On the grounds of an ancient temple, you get introduced to Buddhism ritual by witnessing the monks embark on their daily morning prayers and food offerings. Then it’s off to the market to purchase freshly delivered goods, followed by a morning rickshaw ride around town.

At the Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai, morning alms collection is a tradition dating back to the days of Lord Buddha. Photo by Asia World

Phuket: All-in-One Safari and Sunset Cruise

This action-packed and highly educational tour of Phuket Island begins in the Chalong Highlands, where you meet and greet the gentle beasts of the Siam Safari Elephant Camp. You climb aboard your favourite pachyderm and then trek across the highlands, learning how rubber latex is extracted from rubber trees, and watching how trained monkeys pick coconuts that are harvested for milk and oil. The trip concludes with a sunset dinner cruise of Chalong Bay on a traditional Thai boat. Even better, your tour fees help cover elephant vet fees and contribute to a fund for supplies at underprivileged schools in the area.

Elephant trekking with Siam Safari is a great way to see Phuket from a different angle - that of the back of an elephant! Photo by Siam Safari

Ayutthaya: Not Your Everyday Cruise

After time spent exploring Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand (for 417 years and more than 30 kings), this truly unusual cruise experience awaits you aboard the 12-passenger Thanantharee Rice Barge, when it makes the three-day trip down the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. Stopping regularly along the way, it allows you to hop on a bike and ride through rural villages to visit famous temples, watch monks on their morning alms rounds and meet the hill-tribe children in a local orphanage. You can even accompany your cook to a local market to shop for the ingredients for your on-board meals. You learn about Thai cuisine, local life, drum making and even pottery – part of a journey of mind as well as body. In Bangkok, you’re dropped off at your hotel.

A Buddha statue at the Sukhothai Historical Park is just one reminder of why Sukhothai is considered the foundation of Thai culture. Photo by Thin Lei Win

Sukhothai: Reliving Grand History

Sukhothai is a must-see if you’re keen to explore the ancient past of Southeast Asia. As the first state and former capital of Thailand, this historic city boasts numerous monuments and temples from Thailand’s Golden Age. On this Sukhothai tour, you spend a full day exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and the Sri Satchanalai Historical Park by foot or bicycle. You not only get an intimate look at Thailand’s history, but your fees support an orphanage in Luang Prabang (Laos) and the Aspara Arts Association in Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

These are just some of the many experiential tour options awaiting you in Thailand. For more alternatives throughout this captivating country, visit the whl.travel portals in Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and Sukhothai.

The floating markets of Bangkok draw both locals and tourists in Thailand (photo courtesy of Alison Agnew)

“For many people Bangkok is their first taste of Asia and it can often be an overwhelming experience. Once you arrive in the city you are faced with the crazy traffic, exhaust fumes, humidity and crowds, all of which can take time to get used to. Though before long the friendly smiles and hospitality of the Thai people will help you settle in and you can get down to exploring the many experiences this buzzing city has to offer.

Some of my favourite options for a short stop in Bangkok include exploring the khlongs that crisscross the city by long tail boat, haggling at the local markets and pounding the pavement to visit many of the huge (and thankfully air conditioned) shopping malls to hunt for both brand names and bargains alike.

The food is a huge drawcard and whether dining at a restaurant or local market stall, the flavours are amazing. For a cheap eat you can’t beat the value of the delicious pad thai from the street vendors at a cost of 25 baht, approx $1. They whip up the generous serves in their oversized woks and you can either eat on the move or take a seat on the little plastic tables and chairs, that have been set up to let you relax while you savour the tasty, budget-friendly meal.

One of my stopovers in Bangkok happened to coincide with Queen Sirikit’s birthday on August 12, and like the King’s birthday this is a national holiday. There were many extra festivities and fun to be had around the city. At night the streets were lined with locals holding candles and singing, whilst watching the birthday celebrations broadcast on small TV’s that people had set up as makeshift viewing stations. It was hard to not get caught up in the festivities and soon we too joined in with the candle waving, singing and celebrating, adding a unique and wonderful experience to my Bangkok stay!”

Tour Thailand with Intrepid Travel, whl.travel and Urban Adventures on trips like these:

• Tap Into Thailand with Intrepid Travel – 8 days
• Thailand Tours and Activities with whl.travel – 1 to 4 days
• Bangkok Urban Adventures – day tours
  Choose from exploring Bangkok by bike to discovering the canals of Chao Praya River by longtail boat and more! Urban Adventures are authentic local travel experiences that unlock hidden secrets of the world’s great cities.

This article was first published by our friends at Intrepid Travel, who have agreed to its republication here.
View the original article on their Intrepid Express Blog.

In its own way, even Bangkok shows that it cares about the health of the planet.

Bringing to 25 the current total number of whl.travel destinations in the region, the website for Bangkok – a vital travel gateway – joins six other sites in Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and Sukhothai), four in Laos (Champasak, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane), three in Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville) and a total of 11 across Vietnam (including Danang, Hoi An, Hue, Saigon and Sapa).

Through whl.travel, travellers now have access to an unprecedented number of accommodations and tours across the region, especially small- and medium-sized operations in off-the-radar destinations often poorly covered by the competition. Through a careful selection of hand-picked hotels, guesthouses, tours and even village homestays, whl.travel offers you the chance to really get to know the destination you are visiting.

Awed by its grandeur, don't overlook the details of Bangkok's Grand Palace

whl.travel sets itself apart by virtue of its local connections. It delivers  unique products by leveraging the local knowledge of on-site local operators who can respond to travelllers’ needs in the way that most services don’t. whl.travel’s growing attention to responsible travel through its Caring for the Destination programme means travellers can now plan and book their holidays to meet their own personal requirements while also being sensitive to host cultures and the survival of the planet.

The Thailand and Laos sites are managed by Teamworkz Consulting, a local business-support company specializing in tourism marketing and sustainable tourism development.

“Here at Teamworkz we are very excited to have finished our initial expansion plans in Thailand. With the launch of the Pattaya and Bangkok websites, we now have seven of the main destinations in Thailand covered,” said Lee Sheridan, its general manager.

“However we feel that this is just the beginning. There is so much more potential in Thailand, especially around the southern islands. With such a diversity of interesting places to experience, we would not be offering our guests the best possible options without including some of the more outlaying areas. With our planned expansion in Laos as well to cover Xieng Khouane and Luang Namtha Provinces, and with our partners in Cambodia and Vietnam, we will soon be in a position to offer the most broad-ranging selection of hotels, guesthouses and experential tours across the Greater Mekong Subregion.”