Are Mini-Vans Safe?

[ric]

Is the transport mini-van service from Victory Monument to Cha-am/Hua Hin safe to travel on ? Or would it be safer to take the large buses ?

[Dan1]

I've travelled down on the mini buses a few times and although cramped I've never experienced any problems. You do hear horror stories, and you only need to be unlucky once. I'm back in Thailand in a couple of weeks and I will probably use the airport bus to Hua Hin, which I believe drops you off at Market Village.

[Big Boy]

Thousands of mini-buses travel throughout Thailand daily, and arrive in one piece. However, you need to be aware of this viewtopic.php?f=44&t=19873 . Only you can decide if you wish to use one.

[Dr Mike]

The m-v are fine, the drivers are suspect. but I have ridden them with no problem or even scares many times.

[bsdk1960]

if you don't mind a driver who speak in 1 mobil while sms on the 2 one,eat, drink coffe and drive
around 160 km per hour then they are ok.

[heartofmidlothian]

Very limited leg room in the minivans and they tend to drive very fast. I have been on one and will never use it again. Always see them coming up from behind on the highways and performing dangerous overtaking at speeds of around 130 km/hr. I would imagine if you looked at statistics, it would be by a long way the most dangerous form of public transport.

[centermid7]

I think the wailing and chest beating as to how dangerous they are is somewhat overblown. Tens of thousands of those vans are on Thailands roads every day and they arrive safely.

TBS, I'm always very glad when I climb out of one. Only on a couple of occasions have I wanted to give the driver a backhander and ask him "what the heck are to doing?"

[Takiap]

Is the transport mini-van service from Victory Monument to Cha-am/Hua Hin safe to travel on ? Or would it be safer to take the large buses ?

The larger buses are safer and far more comfortable. I've used the mini vans on occasions, as a rule I try to avoid them like the plague. I also stay well clear of them when I'm driving on the roads as well since most of them think they own the roads. Of course they're entitled to feel this way because being a bus driver is the most prestigious job in the world.

[oakdale160]

Where do the BIG buses leave from in BKK?

As for job status --An old US Thai hand, been working here for 20years says, Thai is evolving and will improve--Eventually all the important professional jobs will be done by Thai women and all the men will be motor-bike taxi drivers.

[Hobiecat]

I used to take the mini bus years ago and had a few horrifying rides. Hence why I bought my own "truck". (Sorry if this word does not conform to so of our British readers) Although now a days with the fines for mini bus drivers caught for speeding set at 5K Bt it's seemed to slow them down a little. Although the article below is not the bus to Victory Monument this is a pretty common occurrence in Thailand. Personally I think your risk goes up on the weekends.

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_09_0 ... ists-6936/

[Lev]

We already have a thread here that is updated every time there is a minivan accident in Thailand. At the moment it is about once a week: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=19873&start=79

[Dan1]

The big buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal, Thon Buri, which as far as I'm concerned is a nightmare to get to. However there is now a big bus leaving from the airport. Level 1 gate 8 - I believe. I have not used it yet but I'm planning to do so when I'm back over in 2 weeks.

[taffinexile]

I've only used the MVs once just for the experience, and to save a few bob when travelling on my own. I found the trip ok. The van was full and I was at the back hoping the cases stacked at the back wouldn't take my head off if an emergency stop occurred. Too fast? Not this one, but there again when I'm driving I'm normally passing them, on the inside if needed.