Mini-Bus: Jomtien Soi-5 to Bangkok

[dddave]

I wrote a positive review of this service last year which I now will revise to "Thumbs Down"!

One can no longer count on a 20 passenger mini-bus.  My last two previous trips from Jomtien, while I paid the full B180 bus fare, a packed van showed-up: "No have bus today!"

Not a pleasant ride.  Also, I had specified getting off at On Nut which is listed as a stop.  The driver refused to stop there, going ahead to Ekkamai.

 

I tried again yesterday.  This time a mini-bus did show-up.  Packed with people and baggage.  There is no baggage storage bin below the mini-bus so the bus aisle is packed with bags, in this case, many very large bags making it very difficult to get to the only empty seat, the rear-most bench seat. One also realizes one is trapped there should anything go wrong. Not a comfortable feeling

The bus took the surface, truck route all the way into Bangkok, making it a terribly bouncy, nearly 3 hour trip.  I think I had more air time than seat time.  The driver did stop at On Nut as I had requested but getting out was like climbing a rock-fall.  Never again!   I'll go back to taking the airport bus from FoodMart then get into Bangkok using the rail link.

[GypsyT]

I was going to take same but after going a day before to check if they show up in time and condition of the bus I did what you did - Jomtien blue bus to BKK. Then AirLink, Metro and Yellow line.

 

The van was 45 min late: 90-yrs looking tired driver was nodding at the wheel and front tires were bald!

Inside were no room for luggage. All had to have heavy suitcases on their lap. Thais had lot of carry-ons placed on the floor all over. The van was sold out. 50/50 farang and Thais.

The old man who sells tickets didn't want to speak to me because I didn't buy ticket. I asked the man at grill next to him who sells food if vans are late often. "They are always late!" he said.

 

The service is horrible! But it sells out.