I'm looking for a bus to get from bangkok to chumphon. Prefer to ride with a/c and in first class (or VIP - whatever is most comfortable). I've heard of theft on some busses and I'd like to know the most safest way to get there, for what price, and where i can book.

THanks - will be travelling in about a week.

I'm looking for a bus to get from bangkok to chumphon. Prefer to ride with a/c and in first class (or VIP - whatever is most comfortable). I've heard of theft on some busses and I'd like to know the most safest way to get there, for what price, and where i can book.

THanks - will be travelling in about a week.

I would not sit on a Thai bus unless it's limited within a city (like a city tour).

Even public buses drive unsafely, anyone who's been to BKK would know how wild those little green buggers can be.

Coaches are even worse. On an open road, I would be overtaking at 130kph and not rarely, a coach behind my tail would flash their lights to hurry me up.

They drive like crazy, minivans even worse....I can't imagine myself on one of them.

To answer the question, the South Bus Terminal is the place to catch the govt bus. They are more regulated than anything you are likely to get on Khao San road and have less incidence of theft.

According to Wiki:

Southern Bus Terminal - also known as Sai Tai Mai, this older and relatively chaotic sprawling terminal serves all points west and south from its somewhat inconvenient location on the "wrong" side of the river. The terminal is scheduled to move to a new, even more remote location in Phutthamonthon Sai 1 in July 2007 — enquire locally.

I don't know if its moved or not, so best check

The Lomprayah company run a VIP bus and catamaran twice daily from Bangkok to Koh Tao departing at 6am to arrive at 2.30pm and again at 8.30pm to arrive at 8.30am.

You can book at their Bangkok office on soi Rambuttri which is parallel to Khaosan road or at any travel agent in the area.

The Seatran company also run a VIP bus and boat from Bangkok to Koh Tao departing at 8.30pm to arrive at 9am.

Their Bangkok office is located next to Khaosan road in the Trok Mayon opposite Ranees guesthouse and restaurant.

The price will be around 700-800Baht depending where you make your reservation.

Both companies are safe and reliable.

My brother-in-law was deeply unimpressed with the Lomprayah bus, to be honest. He is fairly large for a Thai guy and barely fit in the seats. He said the bus ride was long enough to be very uncomfortable.

My brother-in-law was deeply unimpressed with the Lomprayah bus, to be honest. He is fairly large for a Thai guy and barely fit in the seats. He said the bus ride was long enough to be very uncomfortable.

Fair comment from sbk.

If you're a big person probably best to take the sleeper train ....

Train number 85 departs from Bangkoks Hualampong station at 7.30pm to arrive in Chumpon at 4am.

2nd class with fan upper bed is 440Baht or lower bed is 490Baht

2nd class with air con upper bed is 620Baht or lower bed is 690Baht

1st class bed is 1100Baht