How can I get to Trat - Hat Lek from Pattaya?

[aussiejon1604]

Hi all,

This is for a one way trip not a visa run.

I'm trying to find transport from Pattaya - Trat by bus or minivan or if possible, straight into Hat Lek.

Can any members suggest a proven route or recommend a minivan operator that I can use who doesn't drive like a cowboy too much. I'm heading to Sihanoukville for 10 nights so if you can recommend any $20-30US per night places to stay that would appreciated also.

I know where the bus terminals are on Pattaya North and on Sukimvitt Rd near Pattaya Klang (Central) if this helps.

Thanks.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

There are existing threads.

Here is one

[lekatai]

Best way I have found is to get a minibus from the "35 group" Their office is on 3rd Road,just around the corner from Pattaya Tai.They have minibuses leaving Pattaya at 07.00 09.00 11.00 and 13.00.They will pick you up at your hotel which is included in the price.They actually go to Laem Ngop for Koh Chang,but,if you tell them you want to go to Trat,they drop you off at a town about 18km from Trat,(it's called something like Sankat) This costs 350THB,and takes about 3.5 hours.From there you take a songthaew to Trat bus station(200THB) if it's only you,or 20THB pp if it's full.From there a minibus to the border takes about 90 minutes and costs 120THB.I've done this journey many times,and it's the best way to do it that I've found so far.If you get the 07.00 minibus,you should be in Koh Kong by around 14.00-15.00 for less than 700THB.AFAIK there are no minibuses that take you all the way to Had Lek from Pattaya,the Trat minibus mafia put a stop to that.