Thai bus fares - info needed

Hi all.

I'm due to arrive in Thailand in 5 days, but still haven't found out how
much I need to set aside for my fares, so I hoped someone could advise . . .

I'll be travelling Bankok to Mahasrakham (Khon Kaen), from there to Chiang
Rai (4 days later).
After another 4 days, on to Pai (do I have to go via Chiang Mai?).
Pai to Chiang Mai, then finally back to Bangkok.

I'm not looking for luxury coaches, but I'd like to be reasonably
comfortable on these journeys . . .

Many thanks

________
Geoff B


--
To reply, kick THE BALL.

Don't worry about that. Even taking luxury busses (highly recommended
for the lnoger stretches), I'd say 20-30 US$ tops.


Kris



On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 11:07:00 +0000 (UTC), "New Geoff" m.gjbSPHERICAL
wrote:

Hi all.

I'm due to arrive in Thailand in 5 days, but still haven't found out how
much I need to set aside for my fares, so I hoped someone could advise . . .

I'll be travelling Bankok to Mahasrakham (Khon Kaen), from there to Chiang
Rai (4 days later).
After another 4 days, on to Pai (do I have to go via Chiang Mai?).
Pai to Chiang Mai, then finally back to Bangkok.

I'm not looking for luxury coaches, but I'd like to be reasonably
comfortable on these journeys . . .

Many thanks

________
Geoff B

"New Geoff" m.gjbSPHERICAL wrote in message
...
Hi all.

I'm due to arrive in Thailand in 5 days, but still haven't found out how
much I need to set aside for my fares, so I hoped someone could advise . .
..

I'll be travelling Bankok to Mahasrakham (Khon Kaen), from there to Chiang
Rai (4 days later).
After another 4 days, on to Pai (do I have to go via Chiang Mai?).
Pai to Chiang Mai, then finally back to Bangkok.

I'm not looking for luxury coaches, but I'd like to be reasonably
comfortable on these journeys . . .

Intercity bus travelling is very cheap in Thailand. Air conditioned buses
charge around 400-500 bahts for 500 kilometers.You certainly don't have to
loop via Chiang Mai when riding to Pai (along the Mae Hong Son route) from
Chiang Rai.

Markku Grönroos wrote in message ...

"New Geoff" m.gjbSPHERICAL wrote in message
...
Hi all.

I'm due to arrive in Thailand in 5 days, but still haven't found out how
much I need to set aside for my fares, so I hoped someone could advise .
..
.

I'll be travelling Bankok to Mahasrakham (Khon Kaen), from there to
Chiang
Rai (4 days later).
After another 4 days, on to Pai (do I have to go via Chiang Mai?).
Pai to Chiang Mai, then finally back to Bangkok.

I'm not looking for luxury coaches, but I'd like to be reasonably
comfortable on these journeys . . .

Intercity bus travelling is very cheap in Thailand. Air conditioned buses
charge around 400-500 bahts for 500 kilometers.You certainly don't have to
loop via Chiang Mai when riding to Pai (along the Mae Hong Son route) from
Chiang Rai.

If you are going from Chiang Rai to Pai, I would go Chiangrai to Chiangmai
on a 'VIP' bus, stay the night in Chiangmai...relax , and then go to the
Northern bus station that is about 1 kilometer due north of the Chiang Mai
North gate (Pratoo Chiang Puak) . I appreciate what may be call the 'chicken
busses' due to often having chickens in a burlap sack at your feet. These
can be quite interesting rides at times, cheap and you get to interract with
some colourful folk. If your legs are long sit on the rear seat with your
legs down the aisle. The open rear door provides fresh air. If you are
interested in meetig Hill Folks....your seat companion may probably be one.


Regards........Ken

".....Ken" advised...

(but for some reason Markku's post didn't show up on my system . . .)

Intercity bus travelling is very cheap in Thailand. Air conditioned buses
charge around 400-500 bahts for 500 kilometers.You certainly don't have
to
loop via Chiang Mai when riding to Pai (along the Mae Hong Son route)
from
Chiang Rai.

If you are going from Chiang Rai to Pai, I would go Chiangrai to Chiangmai
on a 'VIP' bus, stay the night in Chiangmai...relax , and then go to the
Northern bus station that is about 1 kilometer due north of the Chiang
Mai
North gate (Pratoo Chiang Puak) . I appreciate what may be call the
'chicken
busses' due to often having chickens in a burlap sack at your feet. These
can be quite interesting rides at times, cheap and you get to interract
with
some colourful folk. If your legs are long sit on the rear seat with your
legs down the aisle. The open rear door provides fresh air. If you are
interested in meetig Hill Folks....your seat companion may probably be
one.


Ta - One of the joys of the trip for me is to be meeting the people, so I'm
not worried about using 'chicken buses' for the 2-3 hour journeys.

But since my plans take me from Pai to Chiang Mai, I don't really want to
put in an extra overnight stop there.
Plus it would mean reducing the time I spend in either Chiang Rai or Pai,
and I've got ladies to see, schools to visit, you know the sort of thing
(apparently, although there are many westerners visiting Pai, none have ever
visited the school to talk to the pupils. How sad.).

5 more days and I'll be on my way . . . . gulp

_______
Geoff B

"New Geoff" m.gjbSPHERICAL wrote in message ...
Hi all.

I'm due to arrive in Thailand in 5 days, but still haven't found out how
much I need to set aside for my fares, so I hoped someone could advise . . .

I'll be travelling Bankok to Mahasrakham (Khon Kaen), from there to Chiang
Rai (4 days later).
After another 4 days, on to Pai (do I have to go via Chiang Mai?).
Pai to Chiang Mai, then finally back to Bangkok.

I'm not looking for luxury coaches, but I'd like to be reasonably
comfortable on these journeys . . .

Many thanks

________
Geoff B

the price is so low you dont need to worry , its a long haul though on the bus
you could take the train to khon khan its more comfortable and not much dearer.
you can take a seat or sleeping berth .