I have some friends who are trying to plot their course by bus from BKK to Chiang Mai. Where can we get the best info about the bus situation ? They also want to stop in Sukothai, but we need the intersection of road conditions and bus route info. It's ok if it's in Thai - I'll figure it out.

Last week my staff returning from Nakhon Sawan by bus spent 8 hrs on the way (through Suphanburi and Ratchaburi). On the bus there were some people from Chang Mai and for them the journey took almost 20 hrs.

I think it's possible to get to Chang Mai on road through above route but with traffic jams, road used as camping site and bridges as car parks I'd better look for a flight...

Last evening, that took me six hours to make the fifty kilometers from Saraburi to Rangsit -Future Park- ...

How about buses from the Southern terminal heading south? Any problems there?

How about buses from the Southern terminal heading south? Any problems there?

Dido;

I have friends that will arrive tomorrow, and want to head south to Pattaya to meet my wife and I.

I live on hwy 11 about 100 km south of Phitsanalok, There is a huge increase in traffic, buses and freight. It seems they have re-routed all traffic this to the north.

How about buses from the Southern terminal heading south? Any problems there?

Dido;

I have friends that will arrive tomorrow, and want to head south to Pattaya to meet my wife and I.

Suvarnabhum and the Southern Bus Terminal and routes to Pattaya were ok yesterday (Thursday). Suvarnabhum, the Southern Bus Terminal (and the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai for that matter) are in areas ascribed as being "moderate risk areas that did not flood in 1995 but face risk this year. Possible flooding to around 50cm" in a flood map published in a major Thai English language paper on Thursday.

Almost certainly ok for the next couple of days and probably ok for longer, but who can say in 3 or 4 days time?

How about buses from the Southern terminal heading south? Any problems there?

Dido;

I have friends that will arrive tomorrow, and want to head south to Pattaya to meet my wife and I.

Suvarnabhum and the Southern Bus Terminal and routes to Pattaya were ok yesterday (Thursday). Suvarnabhum, the Southern Bus Terminal (and the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai for that matter) are in areas ascribed as being "moderate risk areas that did not flood in 1995 but face risk this year. Possible flooding to around 50cm" in a flood map published in a major Thai English language paper on Thursday.

Almost certainly ok for the next couple of days and probably ok for longer, but who can say in 3 or 4 days time?

Anyone know BKK to Anranyaphatet/Poipet? Have some friends in town who want to do the Sieam Reap/Ankor Wat trip now.

Dido;

I have friends that will arrive tomorrow, and want to head south to Pattaya to meet my wife and I.

Suvarnabhum and the Southern Bus Terminal and routes to Pattaya were ok yesterday (Thursday). Suvarnabhum, the Southern Bus Terminal (and the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai for that matter) are in areas ascribed as being "moderate risk areas that did not flood in 1995 but face risk this year. Possible flooding to around 50cm" in a flood map published in a major Thai English language paper on Thursday.

Almost certainly ok for the next couple of days and probably ok for longer, but who can say in 3 or 4 days time?

Anyone know BKK to Anranyaphatet/Poipet? Have some friends in town who want to do the Sieam Reap/Ankor Wat trip now.

I drove from Jomtien to Issaan yesterday via Arranyaprahtet. A hell of a lot of BKK traffic was also being diverted into Issaan along the 33 out towards Aranyapratet. If you can get out of BKK on the 305 to Nakon Nayok (it was previously dodgy - parts of the 305 close to 9, the Eastern BKK Ring Road, have been reportedly flooded but passable, but I notice from flood maps that the previous flood warning along that route has been taken off) you will be absolutely fine. The coach traffic was odd. I saw lots of NCA buses to Issaan and lots of VIP buses but not one blue and white government bus anywhere. They must be going to Issaan via the more traditional route of 1 and 2 still.

The 7/314/304/359/33 is a flood-safer route; dry as a bone from Chachongsao (ie along the bit of that route that I drove yesterday, and I guess it will be less busy than the 33 which was very heavily trafficked yesterday.

[For others driving to Issaan see my other posting about 12:30 Sunday. It was a hell of an eventful 17 hour drive yesterday!]