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[gudtymchuk]

Greetings, Any members know if there is a VIP bus between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani? If so, what is the Chiang Mai departure time and travel time. Would appreciate any help.

[thurien]

Greetings, Any members know if there is a VIP bus between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani? If so, what is the Chiang Mai departure time and travel time. Would appreciate any help.

excerpt from http://www.retire-asia.com/lao-travel.shtml:

Buses run between Chiangmai and Udonthani. Road distance is 850 km (520 miles) via Pitsanulok. Daytime and overnight VIP buses (aircon, toilet) run from the Chiangmai Arcade Bus Station, (about 600 baht or $18) to Udon Thani main bus station; continue to Nongkhai and the Mekong bridge by regular bus or minibus. There are also flights between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani

[rrose070]

Make sure you use Chakrapon (I call 'em crack-a-porn) bus and not the one that starts with a U. C. bus service has always been realible and comfortable; the other one, not so much. For sure.

[cmbe]

I found 2 bus companies for Chaing Mai-Udontani, one is Jakkapong tour (053-488815 ) and other one is A. Suksa tour (053-248537)

Jakkapong tour : VIP bus at 20:00 Chiangmai-Udontani take time 12 hours and stop at Phisanulok for eating and change driver, price about 657 baht

[mrfill]

Here is an up to date post about the Chackrapong so called VIP serv ice from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani. So up to date I am writing it on the bus.

I booked the tickets in the morning at the bus station – no problem at all and 613 Bt each. We arrived at the bus station well in time for the 2000 bus, put the luggage on board and took our seats on the bus. The bus was a modern clean 1+2 double decker with plenty of legroom. It looked very promising. At 1950 we were told that we had to change buses as it had broken down. This turned out to be very economical with the truth. In fact there was supposed to be 2 buses and, as we had booked our tickets before the rest, we were first to be thrown off this nice bus onto a 42 seat old bus with no legroom. We were offered a refund of 87 Bt and as the bus was leaving in 5 minutes had no time to argue the case. It appears this is not uncommon with Chackrapong and I would strongly advise caution when booking. The bus I am currently on has non-functioning seat lights and non-functioning air-con.

At the first stop, the bus filled up which rather begs the question, how would they all have fitted on to the ;broken down' VIP bus?? It wpuld be churlish to suggest that the VIP bus never existed in the first place but it does all seem rather remote from reality.

Sadly, there is no plane operating between CM & Udon Thani so if you have to make this trip, consider going via Bangkok unless you have no legs and prefer being overcharged and bounced in favour of people who bought their tickets after you. Do NOT expect to travel on a VIP bus just because you booked it early.

[Ulysses G.]

Make sure you use Chakrapon (I call 'em crack-a-porn) bus and not the one that starts with a U. C. bus service has always been realible and comfortable; the other one, not so much. For sure.

Most people seem to prefer Aw Suksa Tours which I had two good experiences with.

[bangkokcitylimits]

Make sure you use Chakrapon (I call 'em crack-a-porn) bus and not the one that starts with a U. C. bus service has always been realible and comfortable; the other one, not so much. For sure.

No DON't use Chakkaporn, their old buses are crap, a claustrophobic nightmare nothing of comfort, poor drivers etc.

Take the next (right one of both) booth from Suksa Tour they use so called 'first class vip' buses, with the door in the middle. The seats downstairs are not bad at all, best is the second of the 2 rows for royal leg space. Upstairs will crack your eardrums because of poor ceiling construction, too many people snoring couching and farting, downstairs are just 8 seats. Less noise, more safe in case of an accident, the left side seats have no annoyances from lights from upcoming traffic. Their toilets are high enough (the Chakkaporn toilets are horror unless you are a leprechaun) Only annoyance is they close the lights an 8:30 and expect the passengers to sleep on command. Instead of making the long, long ride shorter by letting the passengers entertain themselves for few hours. If you like reading books bring a 'miner lamp', a U shape neck pillow and drinks, the water they provide has very poor taste. Price around 640b for one way.

Edit: on arrival you can take a refreshing shower at the busstation voor 5b. When going to Nongkai, ignore the tuktuk guys who tell you you will have to wait for the bus for 2 hours, it's just few minutes. Price (orange bus to nong kai) 35b. After departure it will have a 30 minutes stop after 3km. When on visa run plan your embassy visit better the next day for a more relaxed feeling. In Nongkai go straight to the bridge, DON'T use the scammy rip off offices who pretend they can do a good service for you. You don't need them. Bring a set of photo's, but when you did not, the Laos immigration don't care if you pay 100b. Bring USD35 to avoid having to pay much more in baht. To Vientiane, it's easy to find people to share a taxi with. In Vientiane don't forget eating at Nazim the Indian at the boulevard, the handsome night-receptionist at the Orchid Guesthouse next door can get you a sweet girl for the night, at night don't walk near the new boulevard construction site, the sticky clay will suck the shoes off your feet, try Beer Lao Dark, etc. etc.

But maybe you just want go to Udon

Edited January 8, 2011 by bangkokcitylimits

[bangkokcitylimits]

Suksa Tour seat number L5 is the best, upstairs A1 is the best

Edited January 8, 2011 by bangkokcitylimits