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[iloveny]

I'm doing my visa run the 31st, was going to book my ticket early after reading advice in other threads, went to the bus station and queued up today, the queue was long and barely moved in 15mins, so i left.

Is there a time of day when the bus station is quieter?

Also how necessary to buy my ticket in advance?

[elektrified]

There is no "best time" to go. It is always busy there. You absolutely have to buy your ticket in advance, especially on the VIP buses to popular destinations. They are often sold out 48 hours in advance of the departure.

Thais always wait until the last minute to do everything but they do know to buy their bus tickets early.

[gotlost]

The New Year holiday is one of the worst weekends for traveling. You will do good if you get a ticket for the day you want. All you can do is go back and be patient and wait in line.

[CheGuava]

DDoouubbllee PPoosstt

Edited December 28, 2010 by CheGuava

[CheGuava]

Most short/medium distance buses leave in the morning as you might expect. Don't go queuing at 9am.

[whimsy]

It is possible to check seat availability on the GreenBus web site if you can read the destinations in Thai. I just did that for you and there are no seats available on the Greenbus VIP buses Chiang Mai to Mae Sai on the 29th, 30th or 31st. There are seats returning Mae Sai to Chiang Mai at 14:30 and 15:30 on the 31st. They do have a column on the web site marked 'Standing Ticket' i.e. no seat. I'm not sure if standing is actually an option, I've never seen anyone doing that.

You will need to find another way to get to Mae Sai. Rent a car or taxi, find a mini bus service via a travel agent perhaps. If you can find a way to get to Chiang Rai then you will be able to get a local bus or a taxi to Mae Sai from there.

For future reference, best to go to the ticketing office in business hours. Before and after that time they have less staff on duty. In the past I have found it quiet at around 2pm.

Web site http://www.greenbusthailand.com/

[gotlost]

The chance of getting a seat on a bus, train or plan until after January 3rd is slim to none due to the holiday.

[whimsy]

Another possibility would be to go on 1st or 2nd of Jan and plead being unable to come on the 31st as the buses were full. You may have to pay the overstay fine though. There are actually quite a few available seats on GreenBus on 1 and 2 Jan both ways at the moment.

[iloveny]

I went back to the bus station at about 4 o clock, queue was small, definitely recommend people leave till after 4 if they are just booking a ticket in advance.

[whimsy]

Did you get a ticket for the 31st?

[iloveny]

Did you get a ticket for the 31st?

1st, checked my visa again and had a day more than i thought.

[ThaiPauly]

My Wife has got to get down to Nakon Si Thamarat for a funeral on Tuesday, no flights available, and I am not holding my breath about the train or bus availablity on Sunday or Monday.

Gonna be a long old drive

[gotlost]

My Wife has got to get down to Nakon Si Thamarat for a funeral on Tuesday, no flights available, and I am not holding my breath about the train or bus availablity on Sunday or Monday.

Gonna be a long old drive

I understand your thoughts. Just be careful as it is the New Year holiday and the highways are a disaster. I'm down in Surian and don't plane on driving back to CM tell about the 5th. The amount of traffic I see on the local 214 highway going to the Cambodia crossing for the casinos this holiday has been on real.