No direct flights from Bangkok to Sihanoukville?

[Phatbeets]

For real? this cant be life.

 

No way I'm taking a van from Phnom Penh again... I'm not suicidal (crash or heart attack) nor do I want to end up in jail for beating the shit out of 

some fake ass irresponsible Michael Schumpeter.

 

We met a nice family on Koh Rong during our last trip we would like to visit again.

 

So whats the best route avoiding those insane roads in your opinion?

[Langsuan Man]

Don't know about Sihanoukville but when I went to Angor Wat from Phnom Penh I took a high speed boat, pleasant and fast trip.  Only complaint was the A/C was freezing and the Cambodian Karoke drove me a little batty 

[Sheryl]

There is now train service PP to SHV but it takes 7 hours and only runs Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday (probably some extra departures on holidays as well).

 

Scenic and safer than driving but slow. Air con and I hear reasonably comfortable, haven't done it yet myself.

 

http://royal-railway.com/

[my friend I]

Air asia DMK KUL2

KUL2 KSO

[doctorproc156]

There are direct flights from KL to Sihanoukville via Air Asia. You do have to by separate tickets though as Air Asia hasn't done a through transit service for this route.

 

Either way it's pretty ridiculous that there isn't a direct flight from Bangkok yet.

Edited January 8, 2018 by doctorproc156

[SueOriginal]

For real? this cant be life.
 
No way I'm taking a van from Phnom Penh again... I'm not suicidal (crash or heart attack) nor do I want to end up in jail for beating the shit out of 
some fake ass irresponsible Michael Schumpeter.
 
We met a nice family on Koh Rong during our last trip we would like to visit again.
 
So whats the best route avoiding those insane roads in your opinion?

1. fly into SHV as suggested via Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia
2. fly into SHV via Phnom Penh, there are local airlines that fly Phnom Penh to SHV
3. fly into SHV via Siem Reap, there are local airlines that fly Siem Reap to SHV

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[RickG16]

On 1/8/2018 at 9:49 AM, doctorproc156 said:

There are direct flights from KL to Sihanoukville via Air Asia. You do have to by separate tickets though as Air Asia hasn't done a through transit service for this route.

 

Either way it's pretty ridiculous that there isn't a direct flight from Bangkok yet.

 

Might be the Thai authorities not wanting people to go South of Thailand for their beach holidays, rather than Cam. 

[trigpoint]

 
Might be the Thai authorities not wanting people to go South of Thailand for their beach holidays, rather than Cam. 

Probably not enough slots for Bangkok flights, all used up by Chinese airlines.

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[siam2007]

50 minutes ago, trigpoint said:

Probably not enough slots for Bangkok flights, all used up by Chinese airlines.

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If there would be enough demand, I am sure some of the small Cambo airlines would offer flights to DMK on their ATM72. Still, I am too surprised that NOK did not snatch the opportunity as they operate small Turboprops too. Three flights per week (= 216 seats) should be possible to fill

 

[trigpoint]

20 hours ago, siam2007 said:

 

 

If there would be enough demand, I am sure some of the small Cambo airlines would offer flights to DMK on their ATM72. Still, I am too surprised that NOK did not snatch the opportunity as they operate small Turboprops too. Three flights per week (= 216 seats) should be possible to fill

 

I think there is less demand now as snooky is being turned into an exclusive  gambling destination for Chinese.

[SueOriginal]

I think there is less demand now as snooky is being turned into an exclusive  gambling destination for Chinese.

There are few airlines flying to SHV because there are too few hotels rooms, this egg-chicken issue is well known both to local authorities and to the airline and hospitality industries.

 

Actually, Chinese - or whatever investments, that are underway now to increase a number of keys, will play in favor of increasing airlinks, also, potentially to Thailand.

 

However, I doubt there will be a strong demand on direction Thailand to Sihanoukville route (about opposite, no doubts), as , again by common acknowledgement by authorities and industry, Sihanoukville has just came barely on the brink to a barely acceptable service and infrastructure level to serve more and higher paying tourists. I wonder, why tourists, taking informed decisions, would travel from a beach destination in Thailand to Sihanoukville, if the level in general is subpar, and, if compare thing like-to-like, most items in SHV is more expensive than similar items in Thailand (bar cheap draft beer).

 

 

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[trigpoint]

A good honest reply, snooky always was a backpacker destination, less so now.

[jimster]

Not much demand for flights ex Bangkok to Sihanoukville aside from a few westerners who have moved on from Thailand to Cambodia. Perhaps eventually but for now it's mostly domestic traffic, though there is (surprisingly) a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (which begs the question, what attracts Vietnamese to SHV but not Thais?) and a number of charter flights from China (seems like Chinese tourists will go almost anywhere these days).

 

There are now direct flights from Bangkok to Phu Quoc in Vietnam. However, this flight exists because Thais are more interested in traveling to Vietnam than a relatively run down place like SHV, with little to offer that differs from or is more attractive than a Thai beach resort. Other than Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloen (both quite nice, but not anymore special than dozens of similar islands in Thailand) even SHV beaches kinda suck. Everything except beer tends to be more expensive, driving/riding in SHV often gets you pulled over by the police (especially if you're driving/riding a car/bike from Thailand or Vietnam).

[RisBkk]

Direct flights from Bangkok will come. It is just a matter of time. Big 5 star hotel chains such as Intercontinental and Starwood will start building resorts starting from next year and also Accor with Novotel brand starts building. Most of these projects will be finished by 2021-22. 

 

Another reason that there are no direct flights is, that Cambodia wants most visitor to explore Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. There are many flights from Bangkok daily to Siem Reap. From there people then can connect to a flight to SHV.. Siem Reap airport has also 2 airlines offering daily flights to Siem reap. 

 

Therefore it is either, Bangkok - Siem Reap - SHV or Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur - SHV, which way would you go? Obviously, Siem Reap, as it is nice place for a day or two and then fly onwards to SHV. Flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap takes just 50 minutes and then it's another 50 to SHV.

 

BTW, according to PP Post (see map), there has been an increase of 34% Thai tourists to Sihanoukville in first half year. It's an interesting fact. Obviously, they must come overland from Trat or Chanthaburi provinces or on a flight from Siem Reap. What's your guess?

 

 

 

 

[trigpoint]

Not many western tourists visiting snooky these days, they were mainly backpackers anyway. The place has been taken over by the  Chinese. Over 30 casinos opened  in the  last year, most UK bars/ restaurants closed. Few relocated in Kampot.Would,nt believe much in the  PP post now, run by lapdogs of the dictator Hun Sen. 

[jimster]

On 9/25/2018 at 3:19 PM, RisBkk said:

Direct flights from Bangkok will come. It is just a matter of time. Big 5 star hotel chains such as Intercontinental and Starwood will start building resorts starting from next year and also Accor with Novotel brand starts building. Most of these projects will be finished by 2021-22. 

 

Another reason that there are no direct flights is, that Cambodia wants most visitor to explore Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. There are many flights from Bangkok daily to Siem Reap. From there people then can connect to a flight to SHV.. Siem Reap airport has also 2 airlines offering daily flights to Siem reap.  

 

Therefore it is either, Bangkok - Siem Reap - SHV or Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur - SHV, which way would you go? Obviously, Siem Reap, as it is nice place for a day or two and then fly onwards to SHV. Flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap takes just 50 minutes and then it's another 50 to SHV. 

 

BTW, according to PP Post (see map), there has been an increase of 34% Thai tourists to Sihanoukville in first half year. It's an interesting fact. Obviously, they must come overland from Trat or Chanthaburi provinces or on a flight from Siem Reap. What's your guess? 

 

 

 

 

Yes there are Thai tourists to SHV I even saw some on the boat to Koh Rong Samloen last time I was there in 2016, however there aren't many. I was in SHV in Sep 2017, didn't see any Thais although there tends to be one or two Thai car registrations in town on any given trip but I only arrived late, spent a quick night then made a beeline for Kampot and Phnom Penh in the late morning the next day so I didn't have time to see any Thais, however, Chinese were visible everywhere.

 

However, Chinese tour groups definitely made up the bulk of Asian visitors and their market share is increasing every year.

 

Why no direct flights from Bangkok to SHV? Well, for starters, Cambodia is a neighboring country and many visitors will travel overland, by private car or hired taxi/bus rather than flying. SHV doesn't really appeal to your nouveau rich or upper middle class weekend getaway young Thai types, who would rather jet off to Singapore, Hong Kong, Luang Prabang or Ho Chi Minh City over a long weekend or around holiday periods for some sightseeing/shopping/cultural tourism. SHV has a reputation as being run down and the beaches aren't that special compared to what's on offer in Thailand.

 

Perhaps an Air Asia flight from DMK could come along one day but I doubt even Bangkok Airways would offer a flight, since it's mostly Chinese visitors flying into SHV on charter flights these days anyway. Thais wouldn't feel comfortable going to casinos full of Chinese visitors with everything written in Chinese or Khmer, when they can go to Thai friendly casinos located all along the Thai-Cambodian frontier, or for something a little more upper class, at least Phnom Penh if not Macau or Singapore.

Edited December 8, 2018 by jimster

[jimster]

sorry for the double post.

Edited December 8, 2018 by jimster

[bender92]

There are direct flights now. Look on expedia co th

[thedemon]

Yes you're right. Thai Air Asia 4 times/week to DMK.

 

Plus a couple of airlines I have never heard of with (apparently) regular services to BKK.

[Sheryl]

But you seriously do not want to go to SHV.

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