Minivan to Bangkok
I went to Bangkok yesterday for a bit of shopping and to have some paperwork done. I had decided I would try the new minivan service which opened a few days ago near the main traffic lights intersection, on Phetkasem road. It’s 20 baht cheaper than the other service (which is based a few meters away, down Narathip road), but the main difference is that there is a schedule, and the vans start on time even if they are not full. Otherwise it’s exactly the same route and the same stops. The driver, though, was not good at all. A bit on the ‘wairoon’ side, driving dangerously and uncomfortably, keeping himself busy every second by changing CD, sipping coffee, eating gum, slapping the wheel, changing position, drinking water… just like he was on ya-baa! Ha ha, but of course that is impossible. Anyway we managed to get to Victory Monument in one piece, just around 8:00 am. We had left at 5:30, but there was the usual traffic jam before reaching the expressway and on Rama IX bridge.
The old service is based very close to the BTS (Victory Monument, exit #2) whereas the new service is based on the other side of the roundabout, near the big Canon sign, a 10 minute walk from the BTS. Not a problem when you arrive fresh in the morning, but not a pleasant walk after a day of shopping. So for the journey back I used the old service again and the driver was OK, not as reckless as the wairoon one (but still tailgating like a madman – always bound to happen I guess).
So, which service will I use next time? Hmmm… probably my own car! It’s a nightmare to drive in Bangkok, especially as I don’t have a good sense of direction, but at least I can do the tailgating myself and I can take my own drugs (coffee and M150, that is).
