Getting back from NongKhai to BKK

[Stevey]

As I write I’m on a bus to Udon. 

Red lights are counting down from 116secs. We left the house after packing and putting the bikes safe etc. Got on her sisters Honda Wave 125i and set off for Phonphisai. Normally so far another one of her family is always tagging along because they need to go to town or last time when it was really hot her dad would let her drive the car back cause she kept pranging it. So this time I said it just us. We got to the Yamaha bike shop lights at before 17:00 where we were informed all buses to Udon were finished , Sunday. So i ended up luckily getting a big coach to NongKhai to get a mini bus to udon. It’s cutting it fine but has to do the same last time coz i missed the last bus but that was 1730. 

The bus from NongKhai turned out to be slow and were crawling down the NK to UD highway and have stopped once already to wait for non existent passengers. Maybe this is the time my luck has finally run out. It’s 18:37 and flight leaves 19:40 so unless we’re closer that I think I’ve got no chance. Gonna have to try and book another late flight now enroute

 

Ok so when the slowest bus from hell/ NK arrives at the PTT station left side and it was 19:00 , flight leaves 19:40 I jump off when it stops to let off one of those girls whose wearing a back pack, you’ve seen them. I call the driver a <deleted> and ask him if he could have gone slower. He didn’t kao Jai and I walked about in a panic looking for anyone who looked like a Moto Taxi, that’s basically anyone with a motorcycle. I walk up a  set of noodle stand begging for mercy then ideas. The main noodle woman appears to be summoning a taxi of some sort but after a crucial 7 mins she looks at me like what do you want to eat ? I walk away and challenge two lanky guys just getting on a Yamaha Xmax 300 as to why they couldn’t get me to the Airport for a cool 500baht. “Mee Tulah“ was the response “ busy “ … young people !!! So I walk on and see an old guy. Go to the airport 500baht ? 500 baht ? He replies. 500baht I say. Let’s go he says and we get in Suv. We go through my life story on the ride and he reveals he’s a police man which appeared correct as the security on entry to the airport stop checks saw something on his van that made them step back as he stopped and off we went we pulled up at the departure end off the drop off so couldn’t. Of asked for more. Thanks and 500baht were parted with and I ran in to the Thai lion check in Me: “ big problems “ Them: Doors on Aircraft close already sir, try Air Asia “ And looked away , our beautiful relationship now over as although i had paid the niceness was at an end early as I wasn’t going to the next step, checking in. 

Next to Thai lion desk is Air Asia. They must be full cos they didn’t come up in the Trip.com App, no one did. “ where you going Sir ? “ . “ Bangkok “ .” 20:30 sir “ 

I’m on it now and it’s 20:20. 

 

I think the moral of the story is to do exactly I did but purchase an expensive fully flexible ticket that you can cancel if you manage to get to the one you booked first. 
 

So I arrive at Don Mueang and loiter a bit. Picked up a couple of small bottles LaoKao and a 3 big beers cans from a shop in the aDon Mueang airport and get the shuttle to Swampy. Checked in my bag with the LaoKao and make my way down to the magic Food court on Level 1 and have a couple of beers and some different meals. As I’m a experienced traveller I have another check of my boarding pass for the Gate close time which says 01:15am I look at my phone and see that give me 15mins to get from level 1 to 4 up the elevator thru security check , passport out of Thailand and all the way to gate 4. 

Made it with 2 minutes to go. What a ฟanker. 
 

There should be more time from check in until the gate closes for you to enjoy the airport experience. 

[treetops]

1 hour ago, Stevey said:

Picked up a couple of small bottles LaoKao and a 3 big beers cans from a shop . . . . .

 

Are you sure you didn't drink them before posting?

[Chelseafan]

If I was travelling from Nong Khai on public transport to Bangkok, I'd be leaving the day before and spending the night in town or at least hire a taxi/van to take you there direct.

 

You seem to be blaming everyone else other than yourself.

 

[Stevey]

6 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

If I was travelling from Nong Khai on public transport to Bangkok, I'd be leaving the day before and spending the night in town or at least hire a taxi/van to take you there direct.

 

You seem to be blaming everyone else other than yourself.

 

You’re correct but everyone is different. I’ve got my family and after a paltry 2 week’s vacation to see them I want to squeeze out every minute of my time. I know it’s foolish but it’s what I’ve always done. I have gotten away with it every single time. But as I was on that but from NongKhai which was moving like a tank and then proceeded to stop for 10mins just outside NongKhai at a bus ticket seller shop to get more customers I knew I was in trouble. In hindsight I should have just got a car from Nongkhai when it was all going wrong. But when I was only when I was on the slow bus to Udon I realised this wasn’t gonna be some crazy race but a slow crawl to maximise the cash take for the journey. I did open my Bolt App in NK but it said it wasn’t available in that area Which I did find strange as I’d caught a Bolt cab from Udon Airport 2 weeks previous.

 

Where is the part where you say I’m blaming everyone but myself ? There are instances in my story where i obviously joke about others being at fault but that is obviously for comic effect and to make an enjoyable read. I’m guessing that you have never ever made anyone laugh out loud ? I’ve got news .. I have and I can make people laugh in the local language. I’m lucky in that regard. You’ve taken you time to leave me a sour comment maybe just drop a link to an interesting post you’ve written I’d love to read it.

 

The whole thing was my fault but I pulled it back at the end. Now at Dubai 06:00 
 

My friend from Oz always gets to Don Mueang airport the night before his flight leaves and then belt and braces stays in the hotel onsite. Taking no chances of missing the flight. He’s not as emotionally connected as I am which I’m sure he’d admit he can spend up to 3 months away from his wife and he’s not going back to Oz out of necessity but just splits his time as he is loaded. So for him leaving a night early isn’t a problem. 

[Stevey]

6 hours ago, treetops said:

 

Are you sure you didn't drink them before posting?

I purchased the beers at Don Mueang Seven11 intended for consumption in the level 1 BKK Airport secret food court as they charge 500baht for small can as opposed to my large cans for about 70baht, inflated 7/11 airport prices. The problem was that when I entered the Magic Food court the counter staff woman  has a sign up closed for 20mins. Even though she was there she would not change money from me and one lady behind and load a plastic card for us. Surely that’s 20 mins all the food court shops will see a sudden drop off of people approaching their counters? Can’t make it up. So I sat out side and drank the Chang Espresso can. Feeling the effects I entered the cafe and charged a card and got some food and hit the can of Singha. Then got another meal. That’s when I checked my boarding pass and saw the flight was closing in 15mins. Gang busters!! Again. 
 

I’m sitting at the Emirates gate now to head back to Blighty with gate closing in 9 mins and I’m still sitting down with 90 people, I’m getting up before a massive queue forms as they all realise
 

 

[Unamerican]

2 hours ago, Stevey said:

with gate closing in 9 mins

How do you know this?  Did it in ts r do so? 

[cbc]

He said he is a experienced traveller.Doesn't sound like it as he is always rushing to his gates.I travel a lot and always make sure to be at my departing at least one hour sometimes two before boarding.

[Chelseafan]

3 hours ago, Stevey said:

You’re correct but everyone is different. I’ve got my family and after a paltry 2 week’s vacation to see them I want to squeeze out every minute of my time. I know it’s foolish but it’s what I’ve always done. I have gotten away with it every single time. But as I was on that but from NongKhai which was moving like a tank and then proceeded to stop for 10mins just outside NongKhai at a bus ticket seller shop to get more customers I knew I was in trouble. In hindsight I should have just got a car from Nongkhai when it was all going wrong. But when I was only when I was on the slow bus to Udon I realised this wasn’t gonna be some crazy race but a slow crawl to maximise the cash take for the journey. I did open my Bolt App in NK but it said it wasn’t available in that area Which I did find strange as I’d caught a Bolt cab from Udon Airport 2 weeks previous.

 

Where is the part where you say I’m blaming everyone but myself ? There are instances in my story where i obviously joke about others being at fault but that is obviously for comic effect and to make an enjoyable read. I’m guessing that you have never ever made anyone laugh out loud ? I’ve got news .. I have and I can make people laugh in the local language. I’m lucky in that regard. You’ve taken you time to leave me a sour comment maybe just drop a link to an interesting post you’ve written I’d love to read it.

 

The whole thing was my fault but I pulled it back at the end. Now at Dubai 06:00 
 

My friend from Oz always gets to Don Mueang airport the night before his flight leaves and then belt and braces stays in the hotel onsite. Taking no chances of missing the flight. He’s not as emotionally connected as I am which I’m sure he’d admit he can spend up to 3 months away from his wife and he’s not going back to Oz out of necessity but just splits his time as he is loaded. So for him leaving a night early isn’t a problem. 

 

Fair enough. I must admit, I didn't realise you were joking as it read more as a rant  🙂

 

 

[Stevey]

7 hours ago, cbc said:

He said he is a experienced traveller.Doesn't sound like it as he is always rushing to his gates.I travel a lot and always make sure to be at my departing at least one hour sometimes two before boarding.

Boring 😴 

[Stevey]

7 hours ago, Unamerican said:

How do you know this?  Did it in ts r do so? 

Your referring to my comment that I was sitting at the Emirates gate to BHX and the gate closed in 9 mins but there were near to a hundred people not paying attention and if Emirates said nothing the gate would have closed and they would have all been sitting around. I’m assuming they would have made an announcement final call but it’s easy for time to disappear. 
 

I’m gonna try harder next time to be on time. 

[GypsyT]

Did you down some beer in Dubai? Do they sell and allow?

 

[Stevey]

On 9/23/2024 at 6:15 PM, GypsyT said:

Did you down some beer in Dubai? Do they sell and allow?

 

I have at the airports but not in Dubai. I’m pretty sure there is alcohol in Dubai. There is no way it is banned as there would be no tourists. Imagine Thousands of tourists sitting around at night with a coke an ice. 

[still kicking]

34 minutes ago, Stevey said:

I have at the airports but not in Dubai. I’m pretty sure there is alcohol in Dubai. There is no way it is banned as there would be no tourists. Imagine Thousands of tourists sitting around at night with a coke an ice. 

You can buy alcohol in Dubai just not for locals