Bus From Suvarnabhumi Bkk Airport To Khon Kaen

[thedi]

Last Saturday (5. April) I arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport at 19:00. After only 40 minutes for immigration and waiting for my bags, I was in the arrival hall before 20:00. My only desire was to return to my family in Manchakiri, Khon Kaen as quickly as possible.

On the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi airport is a advertisment for busses to Pattaya and Nong Khai. I had asked in January about the departure times and was told then, that the bus to Nong Khai leaves daily at 21:00. But when I went to the counter, a 'helpful' taxi tout was there and horned in. The sales girl then told me, that this bus line does not operate any more. There were no other passengers in sight and I had no idea where the bus parked. With the sales girl not helpful, I saw no chance to get on this bus - if it still operates.

Had anybody recently used this bus: Departure 21:00 at Suvarnabhumi airport to Khon Kaen and Nong Khai?

Because the idea of 'one night in Bangkok' didn't appeal to me at all - this may have been different 30 years ago - I agreed with the 'helpful' taxi tout for 3500 Baht to my home in Manchakiri. A deal which is not so bad after all:

Compared with a Thai air flight, including taxis in BKK and KKC, the costs would have been about the same - considering the costs of a night in BKK even higher. With the taxi we took off right away - with Thai I would have had to wait for the next day.

Compared with a bus from Mo Chit: a taxi to Mo Chit and a bus there would have been cheaper, but then I would have arrived at Ban Phai at around 3 AM and would have had the additional hassle to find a transport to my home in Manchakiri (25 km). After 12 hours flight from Switzerland I was ready for a little comfort.

The taxi was not a taxi cab but an old Mercedes Benz limousine. Quite comfortable and it took us just a bit over 5 hours. The taxi tout did not drive himself, but had a driver engaged which knew his job: defensive driving but getting on the way well. At first, being one farang with two strangers - the driver and the taxi tout - in the not-taxi, - and having heard my share of stories, I felt a bit insecure. Hence, while the taxi filled up gas, I phoned my wife announcing my expected arrival time and the taxis registration plates - in the hearing of the taxi tout who let me use his phone. After that I felt secure and comfortable. I even consider to use this service again.

Regards

Thedi

PS: the taxi touts name was MR. PAN, phone 086-889-3639. He speaks fairly good English. The driver's name is ALEX (a bit strange for a Thai), he speaks Thai only.

Edited April 7, 2008 by thedi