How bad is the traffic during Songkran

[juice777]

Hi I have a bus booked to Nong khai from pattaya tonight, I then have to get the the Thai Embassy in Vientiane before 12.pm

The bus goes at 8pm I was told it takes 10 hours, but a friend of mine says it will take 16-18 because of the traffic

Is it as bad as that?

[HLover]

No, it's worse. Endless phone jabber and smelly visa runners.

I will pray for your soul tonight sweet traveler.

[mogandave]

The really bad traffic should be Tuesday night

[mogandave]

Oh, and when it is bad it is a nightmare.

[KhunBENQ]

Wish I could make you hope...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909219-jam-packed-traffic-as-holidaymakers-streaming-out-of-capital-to-celebrate-songkran/?p=10623372

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/158888

Your route goes via Mitraphap rd. (highway 2) or maybe hw 304 and 2.

Both are infamous!

Our granddaughter arrived this morning from Ayutthaya.

About 400 km during the night on the road in only 8h. Thats a good value (I can hardly believe it, on New Year it was 12h).

Pattaya Nong Khai: 670 km.

Simple arithmetic would make up for 13h to 14h.

A little optimism: the weekend was the first wave.

Those who haven't made it until now will probably have to work on 11 and 12 (which will be the nightmare day).

Maybe a little downturn this night.

[KhunBENQ]

The really bad traffic should be Tuesday night

That's the hope the poster needs.

[KhunBENQ]

And of course all flights to Udon Thani from both airports sold out until April 12 incl.

Good luck!

[juice777]

Oh well if i am late I am late

I will just have to apply for my visa the next day

I am going to Vang Vieng anyway till the 19th and will pick it up on the way back

My concern now is going to Vang Vieng without a passport

Also if I drop it of on the 12th will I be able to pick it up on the 19th

Plus I still haven't worked out how I will get to vang Vieng and back to pattaya

I know how to do it but I can't book the buses in advance

Wish me luck lol

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[tomwct]

Two (2) days Pattaya to Nong Khai. 48 hours very uncomfortable ride! The Thai Consulate will be closed for the holiday, too!

[balo]

I need to see a doctor on Tuesday, in Naklua , should be no problems with the traffic ? I drive a car.

[juice777]

The consulate closed on the 13th 14th and 15th then it the weekend and closed on the 18th

48hrs are u sure?

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[lostinisaan]

I can tell you who's not driving around starting on the 12th. Only for some shopping.

[Pib]

The traffic increased started the evening of 8 Apr/Friday since many Thai's will not work this weekend nor Monday or Tuesday (sick/take unpaid leave) before Songkran officially kicks off on 13 Apr/Wed. I'm not sure if the New Years or Songkran holiday period is the worst traffic time (probably a tie) on major highways in people trying to go long distance from point X to point Y.

[mogandave]

I think Songkran is worse, but the way the dates worked out it will not be as bad as it could have been.

[KhunBENQ]

The traffic increased started the evening of 8 Apr/Friday since many Thai's will not work this weekend nor Monday or Tuesday (sick/take unpaid leave) before Songkran officially kicks off on 13 Apr/Wed. I'm not sure if the New Years or Songkran holiday period is the worst traffic time (probably a tie) on major highways in people trying to go long distance from point X to point Y.

Yep, the family is almost complete

Another brother in law arrived two hours ago from Na Jomtien (Pattaya).

I am looking forward to an update of the OP.

[juice777]

The traffic increased started the evening of 8 Apr/Friday since many Thai's will not work this weekend nor Monday or Tuesday (sick/take unpaid leave) before Songkran officially kicks off on 13 Apr/Wed. I'm not sure if the New Years or Songkran holiday period is the worst traffic time (probably a tie) on major highways in people trying to go long distance from point X to point Y.

Yep, the family is almost complete

Another brother in law arrived two hours ago from Na Jomtien (Pattaya).

I am looking forward to an update of the OP.

There you go 2 hours on the road this is where I am the traffic seems normal to me

Maybe I will make it in time

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[KhunBENQ]

Does not look too bad so far.

So you are somewhere uphill already on highway 304 which is quite an important milestone.

The test will be turning into highway 2 near Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima).

[juice777]

Well we was making good time but now there is smoke Coming out of the bus, and we are all standing on the motorway

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[balo]

Well we was making good time but now there is smoke Coming out of the bus, and we are all standing on the motorway

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Take care , wish you good luck !

[juice777]

Thanks

We started again now we are back the motorway wating for another bus

The real axel or something was smoking

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[mogandave]

Bummer that. Hope it goes well.

[juice777]

Got there at 10am the traffic was OK but the bus broke down lol

Won't make the Thai Embassy now

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[KhunBENQ]

Traffic OK, bus broken.

Bad karma

So you would have to apply tomorrow and then?

Do another trip next week to pickup?

[juice777]

I am going to Vang Vieng anyway till the 19th so will pick it up on the way back

I am on the friendship bus now so maybe could still make it, but thinking about it this might be better because I can get on the road to Vang Vieng in the am instead of the pm

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[Halfaboy]

I am going to Vang Vieng anyway till the 19th so will pick it up on the way back

I am on the friendship bus now so maybe could still make it, but thinking about it this might be better because I can get on the road to Vang Vieng in the am instead of the pm

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Have Fun !

[Kabula]

Heavy traffic with wet roads from water revelers getting an early start. Very dangerous for motorcycles with water splashed in operator's faces combined with oil on roads from lack of rain with not much cycle rubber on road surface. Good luck travelers. For 9 years I played it safe by staying dry in my home till the insanity passes.

[Minnehaha]

The traffic increased started the evening of 8 Apr/Friday since many Thai's will not work this weekend nor Monday or Tuesday (sick/take unpaid leave) before Songkran officially kicks off on 13 Apr/Wed. I'm not sure if the New Years or Songkran holiday period is the worst traffic time (probably a tie) on major highways in people trying to go long distance from point X to point Y.

The only suggestion I would add to this is to consider stocking up on good music, movies and if driving put in that DVD player in the dash (if you dont have one yet).

I never regretted doing that years ago. I thought people were crazy. But then ... 99% of my driving is around Bkk and the odd time I get stuck in one of our 2-3 hour jams, maybe during a thunderstorm flood, I reach in the glovebox for my stash of DVDs of films, USB stick of music etc., and transform the time into something enjoyable. I also have lots of books on tape - Ekhart Tolle is excellent for traffic jams

[khun custard]

Best of worst I have experienced was 9 years ago during the construction of the Bang PaiIn by-pass

Suvanabhumi airport in the early evening to Sarburi=7 hours; Sarburi to Petchabun - bit slower than usual but 3 horrific , fatal crashes

A trip to 711 is really the max I am willing to venture in the next week.

[louminary]

We had to drive from Cha Am to Hua Hin this morning for our 90 day report to Immigration. Left about one p.m., traffic was about medium......until we had gone about five of the twenty miles we had to travel on Petchkasem Rd, (Hwy 4).

I swear to God, all of a sudden we were in the middle of what appeared to be a video car race. Now I'm no sissy and I like to pride myself on being able to drive defensively and safely in pretty much any condition. I was doing about 95 in what has become a crowded business district and cars were flying by us like we were standing still.....one after another until after about ten minutes it seemed to calm down. I don't know if they were a large group of kids chasing each other or just a bunch of idiots who ran into traffic.

We did our thing at Immigration and saw no further problems on the way home aside from the usual idiocy, but I will not be subjecting us to any more of what I saw this afternoon......uneffing-believable.

[dirtycash]

JUST FLY !!