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Please advice bus tour: Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos

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IOP
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Please advice bus tour: Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos

Post by IOP » Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:59 am

Hi Guys,

I want to land somewhere in Bangkok and travel by bus visiting
Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos or some of there countries.
Could you please advice good coach.

Thanks.

Aiyah!
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Re: Please advice bus tour: Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao

Post by Aiyah! » Sun, 06 May 2012 1:10 am

[quote="IOP"]Hi Guys,

Wikitravel is your friend, through I'd reccomend starting in Cambodia and going Cambodia-Thailand-Laos, then fly to Myanmar. That's the easiest route for border crossings.

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zzm9980
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Post by zzm9980 » Sun, 06 May 2012 8:43 am

Have you ever travelled by bus in the third-world? Singapore -> Jb or KL don't count. You might want to strongly reconsider :)

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Post by x9200 » Sun, 06 May 2012 10:28 am

OP asked for a coach so it is a bit different than using some domestic buses meant mostly for locals. I have done such trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap some 10y back and it was nothing really traumatic. It compares to staying in a cheap guesthouse vs a hotel. I would not do it again because I am too spoiled now but when it comes to value for money and experience it is a good option. Same applies for the guesthouses esp. in the said Bangkok. Never stayed there in a hotel as of my own choice (even being already spoiled).

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Post by the lynx » Sun, 06 May 2012 10:56 am

Here's my advice from experience. If you are landing from Bangkok, travel in this direction, to get the best of the countries:

Bangkok (Thailand) > Siem Reap (Cambodia) > Battambang (Cambodia) > Sihanoukville (Cambodia) > Phnom Penh (Cambodia) > Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) > Dalat/Mui Ne/Nha Trang (Vietnam) > Hoi An (Vietnam) > Hue (Vietnam) > Hanoi/Sapa/Halong (Vietnam) > Luang Prabang (Laos) > Vientiane (Laos) > Savannakhet (Laos) > Udon Thani (Thailand) > The rest of Thailand if you want to explore.

Sorry I do not know Myanmar well enough to recommend the route.

Regarding buses, there is no solid company one can recommend. There are a lot of bus companies catered to tourists so it is a hit and miss. I actually kept changing buses especially in Cambodia and Laos where the quality of tourist buses are dismal, plus with poor road conditions, because I don't see any point sticking to one throughout the entire journey within the countries.

When in Vietnam though, I would recommend Sinh Cafe buses (a little bit more expensive but they have established themselves after many years of practice in tourism industry so I trust them enough). Vietnam and Thailand are two different cases though, they have established themselves in tourism so do not worry about the quality of most of the tourist bus companies so you can explore different companies.

Oh I was advised by a fellow backpacker to go for train between Bangkok and Siem Reap instead. Perhaps I will try that myself the next time I do such trip again.

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Post by the lynx » Sun, 06 May 2012 11:02 am

...and I would like reiterate what X92 said. There are two different type of buses in these countries: local and tourist buses.

Local bus is cheaper, has more stops, chaotic and you tend to find more life travelling inside (live chickens in a crate next to you, old woman with 5 children cramped in a single bus seat, very noisy local soundtracks blasting from PA system, rickety rackety buses)

Tourist bus is probably the one you want to use. Cleaner, spacious and filled with tired tourists who just want to sleep and not to chit chat :P

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Post by zzm9980 » Sun, 06 May 2012 11:19 am

Oh, I know the coaches, I've used them all over Vietnam, a few times in ulu ulu Mexico, and I still suggest the OP make sure he understands what he's getting into. The nicest cleanest coach in the country (which is still not as nice as he's likely expecting) can't do anything about third world road conditions, weather, and traffic.

Just my opinion, from the perspective of Vietnam. I imagine Cambodia and Laos would be worse, Thailand probably the same or better. I now strongly prefer puddle-jumper flights (often $25-50 one way in VN) or hiring a private taxi. Nha Trang -> Da Nang = $30. Hanoi -> Halong and back, $50 + meals. Very worth it to me unless you're on a strict budget.

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Post by IOP » Mon, 07 May 2012 9:29 am

Thanks, Guys. I appreciate it.

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