BKK minivan hassles

[johnnyk]

It seems the minivan services are cutting in to bus company revenues and the big boys have come down with a hammer.
Came down from Lopburi yesterday and had to change vans when we entered the city. Got to Victory Monument to take the HH minivan about 1:00pm, bought ticket, waited 30 mins then a man shepherded us around the corner and along under the skytrain to a gas station where the vans are grouped, about a 10 min. walk from the old place in front of the hospital.
Minivan man said the BiB had been around threatening big fines as the minivans are apparently unlicensed to provide service in the city of BKK and the bus companies have decided to lean on them (easier than improving their own service, I suppose).
Same price 180 baht but service less frequent and less convenient.

[lomuamart]

I've a feeling the same thing happened a while ago. I'm not sure if things went back to normal for a bit, or you've just experienced the change for the first time.
Maybe someone else can remember when this change of location first happened?
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[chelsea]

I was there last July and vans were going from the Victory Monument ok then, so must have only recently happened

_________________
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"

[johnnyk]

[Nereus]

[lomuamart]

That was it, thanks.
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[GLCQuantum]

My opinion of the minibus journey is based on a return jouney from Hua Hin to Bangkok ( the first time I have ever used them in 3 years ).

On the way it was okay. I only needed 3 hours of physiotherapy to staighten my legs after they've been physically abused by the chair in front of me. NO space to put your legs. The chairs seemed to have been designed for people measuring in at 4"5.

On the return journey, 4 days later, they decided to stuff the "Stupid Farang" into the space between the passenger in the front and the driver. ( yes I should have refused this as soon as I saw it but I just wanted to get home ).
I would not have my dog sit for a 3 hour journey in this chair!!!!!!

To cut a longer moan into a not so long moan...... take the 160 baht bus.

* it's legal

* it's cheaper

* the air con actually keeps you COOL

* You don't need to bend your legs into a figure four shape to sit down!

* You may even get an arm rest which is not positioned by your knee!

YOU WON"T GET RIPPED OFF

In 12 years of using busses in Thailand I have never had a problem.

Stear clear of the tinned sardines

[Chas]

I was the OP for the forum linked here about the mini-vans and I will post a question that I had then and which never did get an answer. . though I suspect that it is because there is no satisfactory answer.

I too prefer the big busses over the minivans, though the vans are just SO damned handy when they work well, aren't too overcrowded, you get a good seat, the driver is "friendly, helpful, courteous" and drives with care and there are no traffic jams. ( OK all of this is in my dreams!)

Actually I prefer the trains, but the schedule is really not convenient and the trains rather slow.

Back to my question: is there only the ONE big bus service to Bangkok?

Those blue and white jobs leaving from either (??) the "terminal" near disfunction junction, or the "terminal" on the street running through night market and opposite a bakery. Are there competing companies? I know in other cities there seem to be more than one company and you can pick the one with the best service.

The busses from here seem to be haphazard as far as amenities.. you risk your life trying to use a bathroom if they even let you, you get a bottle of water and a bun (sometimes.) Seat may or may not be broken and reclining is about two inches from upright. AC works or it doesnt. TV blasts or it doesnt. Is there any sort of "luxury" bus plying the HH to BKK route? Say you want a nice seat, a blanket, AC,peace and quiet etc.. . .and are willing to fork out 100 extra baht for it.

I wrote about this when I was planning an R &R trip to the city and figured I deserved a comfortable trip up and back and a bit of pampering.

Worst of all, of course.. .and this is something they can't control, is getting delivered to that out of town BKK terminal where the taxi drivers see you coming a mile away and you have to interview/fend off a dozen before you find one who will use his meter.

[Hobiecat]

I to had gotten fed up with the death defying drives between HH and BKK via mini bus so last year I solved it with just two words. "Isuzu Hi Lander", safer, driver is always happy and nice. Can stop when you want A/C always works, you can chose your own music and no having to beat off dreg taxi drivers when you arrive in BKK. Set backs. A few hundred thousand baht but money well spent preserving my sanity.

[chelsea]

Chas I had no problems with the Minibus last year when I used it, but your descriptions of the Blue/White bus is about the same as I have experienced the 1st time I was there (Especially the always opening door on the toilet).

Only descent option is pre book a taxi, there are plenty from HH that are willing to pick you up on arrival.

For both of my visits I have used a local taxi to make the return trip to the airport and have only paid about 2000baht both times.

The one that I use, have decent cars and drivers that do actually drive to the speed limits and are very safe.

When you think about it, for the cost of about $60 australian dollars for a 3hr taxi ride to arrive safe and in one piece, the cost does not even come into question.

To all you guys in HH with a work permit (and nothing to do), there is a potential buiness opportunity for someone to purchase a small 20 seater bus to do daily trips to and from the airport.

_________________
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"

[Procyon]

[GLCQuantum]

chelsea posted....

[chelsea]

GLC, I can see no reason for setting company and employ Thai's etc to do the rest. Would be good business for expat to set up for Thai family to run.
Only problem I have is the price that they charge. If you think about it a 15 seater mini bus at 180baht per head only grosses 2700baht each way.

Taking into account that it would be a min 2.5-3.0hr trip each way, probably they only make 1 or 2 max return trips a day.
Is nearly 300kms each way, so the numbers really do not make it a good propersition when you take wages and petrol into account.

I reckon that a small coach in good condition with good A/C with decent drivers could command upto 1000baht each way, is half price on what a taxi costs and as long as you could drop off at the airport would be a great idea.
Only thing is I do not know whether you would get hassle from guys who run taxis or mini buses in town, that would be my only concern

_________________
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"

[Rider]

A buddy of mine got into this. The problem is, the profit margins are miniscule and you're dependent on a constant stream of passengers to make it worthwhile!
Reliable drivers that know the roads and routes are hard to get. Ex-taxi drivers are a possibility but they can charge through the odds for their services.
Once a vehicle breaks down you can start losing money very quickly.
It's one of those business that for farangs it's good only as a hobby. I know hardly any that made money off it.
_________________
http://www.divinglore.com

[johnnyk]

In BKK they are busting any people carrier without a yellow number plate that is picking up on city streets.