Thought I would start with the good members of the CM forum and see what happens.

Basically one of Khun Wifees new idea is a Mae Sai Visa runners bus service ( OK ...bear with us)

We are at the early stages and in "consideration" with a local company (fully registered truck,building transport) who have 2 new minibuses which I have discovered don't get out much.

Recently used one for a day away with Thai friends to Doi S etc and they all thought it was great ....

so the simple question is :

What would you consider paying to be picked up at (say the Red Lion - must ask Kevin first )

then...

CM -Mae Sai (coffee stop -p- etc) via 1317...straight to border and R/T to RL for a pint.

Two very good drivers ...(no crazy speeding) comfy 12-15 seater minibuses (sorry no TV -Videos as yet) park at local café under bridge,whatever information needed /provided regarding said visa paperwork,payments,hotels in M.Sai...and...its $10 bucks at Burma Immi ..not Bt500..

I spoke /had a go at them last time for assurance.........and they agreed and let me go through for free (but that's another story)

Also had a chat with the lady in charge on Thai side who also agreed that they would be happy to provide TMs/advice etc in advance...and keep in touch.

I know that you can get the regular buses ,hire cars ,bikes and local minibuses.....however....as said

question.......what would you recon....?

thanks

R

For the unique privilege of being picked up and dropped off at the Red Lion to ride packed into a minibus with 11-14 big assed farangs for 6 or 7 hours? No thanks.

If its a Thai man driving the minibus then...

No thanks not brave or silly enough to do one of them again. Drive my own truck with mate to share the fuel.

In answer to the OP, the other companies charge 700฿ which i feel is a reasonable price.

"CM -Mae Sai (coffee stop -p- etc) via 1317...straight to border and R/T to RL for a pint"

I don't understand that bit.... 1317? where does that come into things?

Anyway, your main problem is that the road is terrible... the 118 I mean..in the dark it gets insane..... and the driver will be Thai.... give a Thai driver anything bigger than a pick up and they think they are King of the Road and drive accordingly.. just don't give him a hat to wear!

plus the fact that these minibuses are a more dangerous vehicle than a big bus...

then....if you do make it all work and manage some "new way" ... you'll be copied the very next day. In an unregulated market and without a welfare state, perfect competition can flourish and it does in Thailand. The only enemy to this perfect competition is the Mafia. That is why most new business ideas in Thailand will ultimately fail. It is never easy to make a profit in Thailand with a small start up.

Perhaps you could team up with Assist as it is possible they will be looking for alternative income streams in the future?

Ahhh. Finally there's the daily dose of racism about those Thai drivers.

I expect it well before noon tomorrow, please shape up.

>>What would you consider paying<< I would be willing to pay B450 for such a service .I would need at least an hour over the border to get some shopping done .

Best not turn this topic into a commercial proposition - Then the topic would be closed.

Ask a simple question....this is Thai Visa mate!

For the unique privilege of being picked up and dropped off at the Red Lion to ride packed into a minibus with 11-14 big assed farangs for 6 or 7 hours? No thanks.

In your program, when one gets back to the Red Lion......... is it free or do you have to pay for the water

From the responses up until now it would appear to be a most acceptable and welcome idea (reading between the lines )but c"mon chaps and members the simple question was:

..how much would you if the opportunity arose and within one/your circumstances be prepared to lash out on such an endeavor....no more than that...Torai jao?

Already saved some people in principal who have unfortunately over the years dished out BT.500 to the Burmese imi social club... @ 200 dints .....

so sorry no free beer....although I might be....anyway...

Got to go back to Blighty for a joli soon so will be holding back until 2014 when hopefully the superhighway 1317 ..according to their engineers (had a chat)will be finished and other avenues ..not sois.... explored..

R

From the responses up until now it would appear to be a most acceptable and welcome idea (reading between the lines )but c"mon chaps and members the simple question was:

..how much would you if the opportunity arose and within one/your circumstances be prepared to lash out on such an endeavor....no more than that...Torai jao?

Already saved some people in principal who have unfortunately over the years dished out BT.500 to the Burmese imi social club... @ 200 dints .....

so sorry no free beer....although I might be....anyway...

Got to go back to Blighty for a joli soon so will be holding back until 2014 when hopefully the superhighway 1317 ..according to their engineers (had a chat)will be finished and other avenues ..not sois.... explored..

R

What'd he say ...... ?????????

From the responses up until now it would appear to be a most acceptable and welcome idea (reading between the lines )but c"mon chaps and members the simple question was:

..how much would you if the opportunity arose and within one/your circumstances be prepared to lash out on such an endeavor....no more than that...Torai jao?

Already saved some people in principal who have unfortunately over the years dished out BT.500 to the Burmese imi social club... @ 200 dints .....

so sorry no free beer....although I might be....anyway...

Got to go back to Blighty for a joli soon so will be holding back until 2014 when hopefully the superhighway 1317 ..according to their engineers (had a chat)will be finished and other avenues ..not sois.... explored..

R

What'd he say ...... ?????????

No idea. Posted at nearly 1am. Drunk?

Methinks perhaps the Question was a tad too Difficult.....dear dear ...

must be something in the "Chiang Mai Spring Mountain Water"...

another of our ideas/ventures...(with thanks to Del Boy)...but we have already had it tested and hopefully production will start next year.

First samples will of course be.... FREE