I was worried about getting a taxi this morning, but it turns out there was no need. I wandered to the end of the Soi to the main road and waiting the was a songthaew.

A songthaew (meaning “two rows”) is a popular, affordable shared taxi in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, adapted from a pickup truck with two rear benches and a roof. They act as local buses or shared taxis, flagged down on main roads, with fares typically 50-60 baht or higher for tourist routes.

The going rate to the airport is 150 bhat, and that’s what he charged me. I could’ve haggled, however I didn’t see much point. If I’d got a proper taxi then I would have paid that. So a little windfall for this driver.

It’s only a ten minute ride from the old city and in the morning it’s fairly quiet.

On this trip I have not once checked in for a flight in the conventional way. It’s all self check in. You retrieve your booking on the terminal, print the boarding pass and baggage sticker and then drop off at the baggage counter where they scan it and if all is okay then you are on to the security check.

I’m happy to do this, but I’m sure there will be a few individuals that may struggle learning this new tech and system.

Some images from Chiang Mai