Northside

But those huge tourist buses can go as normal...?

They make a lot of noise and nearly block the whole road!

Not exemplary service, to be sure. However, as usual, you have to consider you're in the Third World here. You always have to take into account the Thai factor. Changing companies won't cure the problem. You will never know, you see.

Hence when you book you have to take into account the possibilities of delays yourself. So at the airport, plan for the pickup at least 1 1/2 hours, maybe 2 after landing. Similarly, allow an extra hour for getting to the airport.

You also have to email in advance the directions to the Pattaya location. Include a map if possible. If you don't speak Thai, it's good to have them written out in Thai so that you can give them to the driver at the airport.

Then you need to confirm the booking at least the day before the pickup. If you've leaving Pattaya, confirmation the night before or, say, 4 hours before is advisable. It may be helpful but not necessary to get a Thai speaker to do the confirmation.

Small tip: when the driver shows up, if he forgets to confirm your name, be sure to ask whether he's in fact from Mr. T. Once at 4 AM another driver showed up at my building exactly on time (w/ a much better car than Mr T's usual, nice), and it took us a few kilometers to determine he was actually from a different company sent to pick up a different passenger. Who woulda thought? Fortunately, Mr. T was a little late so we got back in time to correct the mix up.

I like Mr. T just fine and will continue using him, advisedly.

- That's what I'm scared. Changing company may not help, but at least I will give another the chance to prove me wrong

- When I book, especially to airport, I do plan little bit extra time if delays occur by the driver or traffic, but this was just too much.

But when I need pick up at airport, they ask what time airplane arrive, what flight number and what company I use. Answering this I expect the taxi company to know how long time it normally takes from airplane has arrived until the passenger get to the meeting point. If any delays on the plane, I also expect them to follow the flight info screen and notice that flight number I gave them, has an delay.

- I agree email is the best to do, but you may not always have time to do it. My wife talked with them, she is Thai, so that should be ok. When they say driver know the location, i expect that to be true. Thats the whole point of booking a taxi from the airport for my first time traveler friend. If he knew his hotel location he could easily just crab a taxi outside the airport (even thought that use to be more expensive).

- Hehe, I always ask if he is from "Mr T". Good example of what can happen

@tropo: Thanks for info!

Used Mr. T many times during my latest holidays, but this time I got enough of this company.

Friend of me (first time to Thailand) needed taxi from airport to Pattaya. I phoned Mr. T two days ahead, gave flight number, company and told him clearly where to drive my friend (as my friend have no clue about locations in Pattaya). I also told them to phone my wife if the driver was unsure.

His flight was suppose to arrive 07:00. In the morning I checked internet and noticed his flight had a 40min delay. But 08:00 the driver phone my wife. We a angry tone he ask where my friend is and told my wife he lose money while waiting.

We told the driver to check the flight info in front of his nose at Gate 3, and told him to check the flight number we already had given.

08:30 taxi driver phone again. He said he could not wait more now, this took too long time, he said.

Less than 50 minutes after the plane arrived, he could not wait more?

I phoned my friend, asked if all was fine. Yes, he just got his suitcase and walked to Gate 3 now.

Airplane arrived 07:40 (as showed at the info screen at airport). My friend didn't do anything else after leaving airplane, just the normal pass control, walking and waiting at luggage. That takes about an hour at this airport!

My friend found the driver, but about two hours later my friend phone me, asking if I could speak with the driver and ask him if he had any clue where he was driving. So I did, and the driver had no clue where my friends location was

Finally when my mate and driver arrived at my place, I was told he drove like an idiot. I still wanted to give the driver few hundred in tips for the 40 minute delay, but he was so damn angry I just gave him the agreed 1000baht and told him to get the hell away from here.

Few days later we had a trip to Bangkok. I decided to give Mr. T company a new chance. Taxi booked 10am from my apartment the next day.

10:20 I phoned the company, asking where my driver was. In a few minutes I was told.

10:35 I phoned again. This time they was not sure, and had to check.

10:45 I phoned again. Now I was told the driver didn't show up (as I didn't notice that...), but they would call for a new driver.

The new driver showed up, of course it took time for him to drive from his location to our. 11:15 he came, 1 hour and 15 minutes after agreed time!

Nobody mentioned discount for the waiting. I did plan to give half of what we agreed, as I now was pissed off by this company. But I remembered this driver, had him much during my last stay, and he is good and clearly not his fault.

This driver also understood who my friend had from airport to Pattaya, and didn't have much positive to say about that driver or Mr T himself.

Conclusion: I need a new taxi company!

Thanks for tips. Starting to wonder if I may should skip the trip to East...

Nice to know just before I arrive south of Ubon.

How do you avoid all these mosquito's when you stay in a "open" house and just a net around your bed?

No aircon, and planned to stay 14 days before moving to elsewhere.

I visited Huai Luang Waterfall in July last year. Lot of water and very nice day.
The water is good for a swim as well.

From this water fall it is only 1-2 drive up to Pah taem national park which is also worth a visit. On the way you can do some shopping at the Thai/Lao boarder.

Thanks for very good information!

I will read more about Buri Ram and Suring. Wat Lan Kuat is a very good idea, can even be done as a day trip from Nam Yuen if I want to bring my wife family to this place.

8 hours driving is ok, but i guess I will rent a car for 2 weeks, so no hurry. Better relax, drive safe (and avoid driving when dark, tried that down from Vientiane once...) and see this land when I first go by car.

Sadly, as mentioned here, you are not allowed to bring your vehicle out of Thailand. Trip to Cambodia is somewhere planned in the future, but not during this holiday

Cheers

First post, let's try

Planning to rent a car and drive from Pattaya to Ubon Ratchathani, more specific Nam Yuen, about 1-2 hours south of Ubon city.

I've been there a few times before, but usually I go with airplane.

This time I decided to see more of Thailand + have my own car when I stay in Nam Yuen (not rent a driver everyday which I've done before).

Here is the route I'm planning to drive: 635km according to Google.

(not allowed to add link, so I try to explain)

From Pattaya - up north to Pak Thong Chai (road 304). Take right there and follow road 24. Passing Nang Rong and Prasat.

When I come to Kantharalak we drive down (south) to Cambodian boarder and head for Nam Yuen.

Question 1)

I want to stop around half the way and sleep there one night. Is there any places at this route or close to it that is worth to see?

Small town/village or big city is not important, I need a place I can look around. National park, wat, or whatever.

I have been to Phanom Rung temple (close to Nang Rong) few years ago. Very nice, but no need to see that place again

Question 2)

Is there anything special I should stop and see close to this route? Old temple, park or something (Just for 1-2 hours and then continue the trip).

Question 3) At the end of this route, close to Nam Yuen, the road goes down to the boarder of Cambodia. I know some months ago this road was closed due to conflict with Cambodia. Is this road open as normal now?

Thanks