Clean, Safe, Direct | NEW MINIVAN between Pattaya & Bangkok

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Some minivan services in Thailand have a bad reputation. Drivers who think they're F1 racers, long waits for vans to "fill-up", multiple stops and badly maintained vans with cramped seats. It's clear why many people avoid them, including me!
But recently, a new service started running between Pattaya and Bangkok. It's bookable online via the "Klook" app. They promise "comfortable seats, clean buses and reliable drivers". But they charge a 'premium price' of 349 Thai Baht (still less then $10 US) per person, each-way. That's definitely more than some other van services are charging, but this one goes between Central (Festival) Pattaya and CentralWorld in Bangkok.
So, is it worth paying more for a better service? And does the actual experience match up to the advertising blurb? Find out, by watching this 8-minute video, where I take the van to Bangkok and give you all the details you need to try it yourself!
This is NOT a sponsored video. I paid 349 Baht to travel between Pattaya and Bangkok in June 2024. All opinions stated are my own, based on my actual experiences.

Опубликовано:

30 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 63

@ckSport3000 3 месяца назад

Chaser, re-post HERE the time comparison video you made for Mr Egg.. the video side by side of an 80’s video vs recent. More people should see it.. promoting you and Egg.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the idea. I'll discuss it with Phil. The video was fun to make. Took a while to edit, but it's nice that you still remember it. Many thanks!

@Farang_Lifestyles 3 месяца назад

Excellent editing and narration.... thank you an alternative provider between BKK and Pattaya

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the positive feedback. Much appreciated! And yes, a decent alternative depending on destination!

@WanderlustReports 3 месяца назад

Interesting, though quite more expensive from the bus I took last week at Pattaya North to Ekkamai for 131 bahts only. And it ran every 20 minutes on this specific Saturday.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Alain. I did a review of that service a few months ago, here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mllRzQ0swoE.htmlsi=aABq0kHk0kI4aVAQ I think it's excellent. But depending on your original & final destinations, you do have to factor in the cost of getting to/from the bus stations. In terms of frequency, Pattaya North wins, though. Thanks for your comment 👍!

@charlesbrie8711 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the video. Sounds like a good service. Hopefully they will do runs to/from the airport and Pattaya like the busses.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Cheers, Charles. Yes, decent service. I'd like to see van services to the airport, too. My only concern is where all the luggage would go. These types of vans are severely lacking for space for suitcases unless you knock a row of seats out?

@Goldfinger555 3 месяца назад

Thanks for this info. I can see myself using it for a quick trip from Bangkok to Pattaya. My normal private car fee is 1500 THB from /to these two destinations. The difference would buy me a San Miguel and 6 lady drinks. 😂

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Rick. Pleased, as always to be of service 😀 And nice to see that you have plans to reinvest your potential savings wisely! 😄

@damienomen68 3 месяца назад

I had to sort out my visa through an an agent. Bkk to Pattaya twice in 7 daze. B160, serious lottery as to toilet stops n pickups. All sensible people got off at Bang Na bts station.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

That's a good description of other travel options. A lottery. Sometimes it works ok. Sometimes you are driving round picking up passengers for an hour or veering off the direct route to deliver one passenger. Good tip though, get off at the first place there's a BTS Skytrain station, such as Bang Na, and grab a train, if you're in a hurry! Cheers.

@thecryptostrategist2433 3 месяца назад

I used minivans fairly often when i was in Thailand. I do not mind the rapid driving style and I found them to be not all that uncomfortable. Obviously, with most of them the price is quite attractive compared to many other options for long distance travel. I would not pay extra for a bus that claims to be of a higher standard. I think it is a bad business concept. The people who use minivans are all cheap Charlies.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, David. The last minivan I took here loaded us all on and then put stools in the aisles, so we were sitting 4 across. It then proceeded to tour the local areas before really departing an hour later. I'd willingly pay extra for a comfortable van that looks like it has tread on the tyres. I do think people want city centre to city centre trips sometimes. Not because they're Cheap Charlie's, but because it suits their departure and destination points better than out of centre bus stations. Thanks for your input, as always!

@terry713-h4c 3 месяца назад

As always great information..do they also do a airport run cheers pal

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Terry. I don't think they do an airport van service. I guess the luggage demands to or from the airport make it less suitable for a van. I only know the big buses from Pattaya. One, the service from Jomtien next to FoodMart, and two, the Bell travel service from hotels or at North Pattaya Bus Station. Cheers for the comment.

@jeffrussell488 3 месяца назад

Great stuff 😊

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Many thanks, Jeff

@Russ12189 3 месяца назад

Great idea if you are going central Bangkok from Pattaya, keep the travel advice going. UTV

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Russ. I agree it's good if the CentralWorld area is your final destination. There's lots of shopping opportunities round there, so don't take your credit card out or it could get expensive! Then again, maybe they'll stock the adidas training range next season!

@jamesmartin1895 3 месяца назад

nothing wrong with having other options... thank you for the info

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Agreed, James. Don't think this will be my go-to service, but once in a while, I'll use it again for central Bangkok! Thanks for your comment 👍

@richardham2454 3 месяца назад

We always use Thai happy taxis

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Richard. There's several good and reliable taxi services around that's for sure!

@foxmulder4560 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the information

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Hope you found it useful. Cheers!

@WalkingmanPattaya 3 месяца назад

Great overview. I would pay the extra for the convenience, not too cold, non-stop, steady speed is all good to hear. OMG, no one is offering you freebies. 555 Like the outtakes at the end. I could hold cue cards for you is that would help! 555 As always Thanks and keep on vlogging buddy.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

I'm with you on this one, Ric. Most of the reasons that put me off taking a minivan have been answered by this service. I think I'd refuse to do sponsored videos if I was asked. But, not to have even been asked...don't they know who I am? Clearly, they do which is why they don't offer me anything 😀 😀 Cue cards wud be a good idea. But that kinda presupposes that there's a script, haha!

@TaiThaTraveler 3 месяца назад

Great info! Think I might try that out tomorrow 👍🏾

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Many thanks! One thing I should add, is that you need to book online the day before you want to travel. So if you are thinking about travelling tomorrow, you'd need to book it today, I think! Anyway, let me know how it goes!

@Grimreapervlogs Месяц назад

Hi mate what do U think is the best option to get from Pattaya to ekamai in BKK. Any idea on the options and prices

@balloonchaser Месяц назад

Yes, mate. The best way is to go Pattaya North Bus station and get the bus that goes right through to ekkamai. Buses leave a least once an hour from 0800 until 2100 and it takes about 2 hours. Fare is 131 baht (I think), and you can buy on the day or buy the day before. Obviously you can also get a taxi, but expect to pay about 1200-1500 baht for that. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mllRzQ0swoE.htmlsi=toZVeftoNRFCzs3d

@PREPFORIT 3 месяца назад

Thanks B.C I like knowing all my travel options.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Cheers, PFI! Not sure it will be my number one choice, but I'll certainly use it again!

@GioMixMusic 3 месяца назад

Good to know. Personally I always use Bell Travel Bus service with the large bus, because they include both pick up and drop off at most hotels - I did notice the prices have gone up this year however.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Yes, a lot of people love the Bell travel service. A fleet of minivan to pick you up and then meet the big bus at Pattaya North. They offer a truly end to end service. So many things have gone up in price in the last year or so, but still good VFM. Thanks for your comment, as always!

@denisgallagher109 3 месяца назад

Those Toyota vans are beautiful vans Wish we had them in the US

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks. I hadn't realised that they didn't run in the US. Maybe considered a bit on the small side, but as you say, nice vehicles, smooth ride even over Bangkok roads!

@jariverro4696 3 месяца назад

Great info. Been looking for same minivan rides. I thought that they don’t exist😊

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Many thanks for your comment. It's better than most minivan services I've tried here. And I've tried a lot!

@Indy500-Racefan 3 месяца назад

Thank you on the update! Super easy to get to in Pattaya. Have never explored Bangkok so this might be a great way to do that.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks! So much to do in Bangkok! And this van goes right into the centre. Give it a go!

@PATThaiA 3 месяца назад

Great content & info Thank you ซิ์..

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Many thanks. Hope it's useful!

@Feier_Salamander 3 месяца назад

Never heard of the Minivan on the top of Soi 9 for 195 THB. Can you do a video about that one?

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Cheers. As mentioned there's two services there next to the Second Road entrance to Central (Festival) Pattaya. One at 195 baht and one at 200 baht. Maybe I'll take one next time I'm headed for Bangkok!

@Feier_Salamander 3 месяца назад

@@balloonchaser Googleing I only found one minivan that seems to start at the top of Pattaya klang going to Mo Chit. Don't know if you know about that one.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

@Feier_Salamander Thanks! There's actually quite a few. The difficulty for me has been finding one's that leave promptly and go directly and safely to their destination. I'll try to film some others!

@farangtravels3956 3 месяца назад

I once spent 12 hours in one of these from Pattaya to Buriram, i just get a Taxi now.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

I can't imagine being on one for that long. That's my idea of he'll. 2 or 3 hours is more than enough for me!

@rayo7114 3 месяца назад

Thumbs up great vid any to BK airport?

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks! I only know the big buses that go to Bangkok airport. One from the Jomtien bus station next to FoodMart. And the other is operated by Bell Travel and goes from north pattaya bus station. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ILAa0HltTbA.htmlsi=kET2zjKdbvZ-Uo_M ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mllRzQ0swoE.htmlsi=0Cf1RioI4Y_ysprG

@bigbopper6311 3 месяца назад

good job all the info. no trolly dolly...not for me.

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Hey BB! I'm sure for a VIP customer such as yourself, they would squeeze one in 😀

@rinkadink66 3 месяца назад

i use the large regular bus from pattaya North Station a lot.. its slower than minivans.. but it feels safer.. I have used minivans all over SE Asia.. and you do get some crazy drivers and then pack you in..😮

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Yes, I agree. A fee crazy drivers and packed in like sardines in a tin can. That's enough to keep me away, mostly. The north pattaya bus station has quite old buses, but they do feel safer and overall more comfortable. Thanks.

@rinkadink66 3 месяца назад

@@balloonchaser I always enjoy your videos.. well made, sensible information and interesting topics..cheers 👍

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

@@rinkadink66 I really appreciate your comment. Many thanks.

@BushmanUKoriginal 3 месяца назад

Any loo stops?

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

No mate. Another good reason to bring a bottle 😉

@BushmanUKoriginal 3 месяца назад

At my age, thats why I use Bell or taxis.

@jimmyboysmovies1972 3 месяца назад

Morning BC , you’re spot on about how fast they drive sometimes it’s very tense 🫣. Iv gone in them before and tbh Iv ask how much for private hire. 349bhat £8 for that journey well worth it. I prefer the direct option rather than stopping so many times. Van looked very nice . What this about Nana and Soi Cowboy for entertainment!!! Must have missed that over my years 😜 will need to have a look next time ☺️ great vlog again my Mann

@balloonchaser 3 месяца назад

Thanks, Jimmy. I took a minivan from Bali Hai Pattaya a few weeks ago to review. After an hour we were still driving around Pattaya and Jomtien. He then put his foot down to make up time. I actually asked him to stop and got off the bus! This was a completely different service. Much better for me! If you go to the entertainment areas, let me know, coz they are on my bucket list, too, as I haven't been yet, either!