Taking a mini van from Suratthani to Phuket, first time in about 6yrs and only because I'm picking up a car in Phuket to bring back...

The mini vans at the bus terminal are all looking shabby as, look like the whole fleet is 15-20yrs old... The owner of one lot just drove off in a new Raptor ???? So obviously the profits get spent wisely !!

I got lucky, jumped in the van first and got a seat without the springs coming through but it's a joke... This is my view

 

 

No visible mould though.

Just now, Vacuum said:

No visible mould though.

 

True, just had a look round.. So probably good for another 10 years.. I did have a look at the tyres before getting on and they were ok. I wouldn't have bothered if they were running slicks ????

1 minute ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

True, just had a look round.. So probably good for another 10 years.. I did have a look at the tyres before getting on and they were ok. I wouldn't have bothered if they were running slicks ????

Most importantly, how was the driver?

6 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Most importantly, how was the driver?

 

I'm in it now...

He's into Schumacher mode already

Wish me luck

45 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Other than that, the faux leather falling apart is only cosmetic. What you should really worry about is how the tyres, brake pads, steering wheel and other important part bolts look like,... and, whether your driver had any sleep or yaba before getting in the van.

 

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to jack the van up and check the brakes etc before boarding ????

Good thing is, it's raining now so that should slow him down a bit !!! Or not...

My ring is getting a good workout at least ????

You took a mini van (death traps on wheels) Wow

Yeah we don't use them any more. One and only time the driver had his foot on the boards from BKK to Pattaya. Thought at one point I felt a sonic boom...

Never again...

Where are those small buses that they announced years ago who should replace all the minivans?

Ah, sorry early morning I forget I'm in Thailand. They're either rotting on some yard, the money has been used up in meetings and other dark channels, they couldn't find an appropriate model so it needs to be developed in Thailand which takes another century. South is not Bangkok, so who cares...

Any other thoughts? [emoji23][emoji6]

Meanwhile I see the other announced measures to increase safety are working pretty well. From experience using the BMTA vans almost everyday.
The card reader for driving license is bridged/tampered and not card inside.
GPS system including the LED speed display is turned off.
Warning beep sound of the speed limiter at 90kph is happily ignored because the driver is mostly talking on the phone or watching the latest soccer matches.