Recommendation for a particular van service to Bangkok?

[wpcoe]

As I've walked around Hua Hin, I've seen probably a half dozen places where one can catch a mini-van to Bangkok. Is any company any better than any other? Safer, more comfy seats, drop off points in Bangkok, price could all be factors, I suppose. Or, are they pretty uniform in offerings?

Do they all go to Victory Monument, or do they drop at various places? I'm aiming to end up at BNH Hospital, so taking SkyTrain from VM isn't so horrible, but if one could drop me off closer to -- at? -- BNH that would be a bonus.

I'm aware of the big bus, private car, and train options, but looking specifically for info on the mini-van option here.

So far, my only mini-van experience has been from Soi 80 to Jomtien, but those mini-vans skirt around Bangkok.

[GLCQuantum]

I may be wrong but I believe all the mini vans in Hua Hin go only to Victiry Monument. If you have a more convenient place you want to get out before that is of course no problem.

I rarely use these services as I have always found the big bus to be a safer, more comfortable way of getting into Bangkok then I'll make up the rest of the journey by taxi. A few baht to keep me away from the lunatics that drive those things seems a good deal to me.

[wpcoe]

Just thought I'd share (i.e. vent) my experience with attempting to reserve a mini-van today from the place on Sa Song almost across the street from the bus station.

Two fellows sitting at table, with signs with schedules to Mor Chit & Victory Monument behind them. Neither one speaks English, so one guy frantically waves a buddy over. The buddy asks in clear English where/when I want to go, and do I have a reservation yet, as they are pretty full due to the holiday weekend. (I want to go on Monday.) I say I do not have a reservation, but I *want* a reservation, and indicate the time/destination to him. He gestures to the fellows at the table and say I must reserve with them.

I tell him they don't speak English, and ask if he can please help me? He looks at me like I have three heads and am speaking in tongues. So, I walk up to the table, and ask "Can you please make a reservation on the 1420 van to Victory Monument on Monday?" The fellows at the table just stare, clearly not understanding me. I turn to the other (English-speaking) fellow and ask him to tell them what I want. Now, *he* just stares at me.

I say to him, you and I speak English. You and they speak Thai. Can you please tell them in Thai that I want a reservation on the 1420 van to Victory Monument on Monday? He steps back, gives me a dark look and then turns away.

I try again, and he *glares* at me, and I can see him getting angry. WTF???

Oh, well. Just another day in paradise.

[chopsticks]

Perhaps it's not possible to make advance reservations/ticket purchases or else he couldn't understand what you were asking and didn't want to 'lose face'.
For the 'big bus' service it used to be the case that there was no reservation system but you could purchase tickets up to one day in advance.

[BaaBaa.]

Where do you get the big bus from now?

The little ticket/waiting place I used a few years ago isn't there anymore.

[chopsticks]

When I last used it was still in Sra Song Road (near the Boat restaurant) but for some of the departures mini-vans were being used instead of the big blue buses.

[brianks]

Main area for Mini Buses is at or near the intersection of Chompsin Road and Main P??? road. One company on P?? road near intersection and another on a soi just up north about 100meters and to left at corner with big motorcycle dealer on corner. Just show up and buy a ticket for next van. No reservations required and they leave when full. Never wait more than 15-20 minutes for van to fill. Don't sit in last row of seats unless you like a bit bouncier ride experience.

[brianks]

There is also a Mini Van station at Market Village on the North side exit towards the front but I don't know anything about it as have never taken it.

[wpcoe]

Main area for Mini Buses is at or near the intersection of Chompsin Road and Main P??? road. One company on P?? road near intersection and another on a soi just up north about 100meters and to left at corner with big motorcycle dealer on corner. Just show up and buy a ticket for next van. No reservations required and they leave when full. Never wait more than 15-20 minutes for van to fill. Don't sit in last row of seats unless you like a bit bouncier ride experience.

Thanks. I already know about those places. I was looking for a recommendation of one operator over another.

I went back to Plan A: Booked on the 400pm train. It had been full, but I kept checking back, and found an open seat.

I figure on the Monday of a four-day weekend, the road traffic back to Bangkok will be pretty intense, so leisurely taking an air-con second class train isn't such a horrible option, either.

[usual suspect]

Just how many mini-vans are running on this route? I know of 3 venues in town where they go from..each will have at least 3-5 vans queued-up waiting (often blocking the road/junction).
Also see theses blue/orange striped vans going past Gee-supermarket quite often..where are they going?
(most vans I know head off up Pekky Rd for a Cha-Am pick-up).
I think I noticed the office for vans Nr Cool Smile has computers in there...free internet
while you wait..??

[TimandT]

Main area for Mini Buses is at or near the intersection of Chompsin Road and Main P??? road. One company on P?? road near intersection and another on a soi just up north about 100meters and to left at corner with big motorcycle dealer on corner. Just show up and buy a ticket for next van. No reservations required and they leave when full. Never wait more than 15-20 minutes for van to fill. Don't sit in last row of seats unless you like a bit bouncier ride experience.

Arrived today at 08:10 to purchase ticket, van departed at 08:15, last two seats on back row! Quiet on the roads and arrived Victory Monument at 10:30.

[Rone]

If you take the big bus into the Southern bus station, what is the price of a taxi into central BK (nearest sky train) or is it possible/cheaper to get a taxi to the nearest river stop for public boat.

[Korkenzieher]

The problem with Southern bus station is that if you want to go somewhere a fair way off - say Sukhumvit - the layout of the expressway means that Taxi's have to go 4.5km north to the nearest turning point. SO you do 9km in a taxi to get nowhere. At the end of the day it still isn't massively costly - 150 say - but it is more than if you go to Mo Chit. A regular taxi (not the VIP boys) from Mo Chit is around 100 Baht to the Sukhumvit area. If you were going to Southern BS, I definitely wouldn't bother trying to make your way overground unless you have *lots* of time! If you do it, consider reporting back on routes, rates - and survival chances!

[charlesh]

wpcoe - you have to mad to want to go to Bangas by van especially if you are going to hospital. I have been stuck in 1 with 18 people and I am mid sized (80 Kg). It was truly horrendous!
Get the bus to the Sth'n bus terminal and a Taxi into town. Unless you are skint the slightly longer journey is far better than the mini van experience IMO. Just make sure you can get someone to write the name of the Sth'n bus terminal in Thai so you can get back to there.
PS the Pranburi mini van is just as bad re; speed and overcrowding and it also goes to Victory monument and Mochit!!

[usual suspect]

You guys might know about this? or it may just be a simple sticker..??
But have just seen a mini-van in town with a red motif saying
'Good Driver Transport' Is this a firm set up for all us worried Farangs or simply sticker the driver has bought?? Anyone know more?