Getting To/From Chumphon By Bus
Chumphon bus terminal
Where Is Chumphon Bus Terminal?
Location: The main bus terminal is about 12 km from the centre of town on the main Bangkok to Surat Thani highway (variously referred to as highway 41, the Petchakasem Road, or the Asia Highway)
Directions : Follow highway 327 west out of Chumphon. At the Pathomphon junction (the main intersection with the Surat Thani to Bangkok highway) turn left (south) towards Surat Thani. Watch for a huge white advertising sign with red Thai writing on the opposite side of the road, and do a U-turn at the next opportunity after this sign. The road under this sign leads to the bus station.
A motorcycle taxi should cost about ??? baht, and a regular taxi around ??? baht.
All government express buses (except the Bangkok-Ranong service) leave from the main bus terminal. There are also three operators running private bus services between Chumphon town centre and Bangkok. In addition there are a couple of routes served by minivans.
If you're confused by the different types of buses, check out our quick guide.
Bus Services From Chumphon Bus Terminal
The bus routes from the bus terminal are as follows (most of these routes are only served by air-conditioned buses):
- Bangkok - Phuket (63, 949)
- Bangkok - Hat Yai (982, *992)
- Bangkok - Phang Nga (99, 61)
- Bangkok - Lang Suan (89)
- Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat (981)
- Bangkok - Ko Samui (991)
- Bangkok - Krabi (950, 983)
- Bangkok - Trang (984)
- Bangkok - Songkhla (973, *992)
- Bangkok - Surat Thani (993)
- Bangkok - Yala (987)
- Bangkok - Narathiwat (986-1)
- Bangkok - Satun, via Trang (988)
- Bangkok - Dannak (992-1)
- Bangkok - Makri, via Phattalung (989)
- Bangkok - Pak Phanang (981-1)
- Bangkok - Sungai Kolok (986, *9917)
- Bangkok - Khanam (62)
- Bangkok - Pattani (*9917)
*9917 may go to Pattani or Sungai Kolok
*992 may go to Hat Yai or Songkhla
Bus Timetable From Chumphon Bus Terminal
This is just a brief summary of the buses leaving Chumphon bus terminal, based on infrmation obtained at the bus terminal in May 2006.
Bus Services From Chumphon Town Centre
Government Buses To Ranong
The Bangkok - Ranong government buses (route ???) leave from the western end of Phoraminmakkha Road, between the southern end of Thataphao Road and the railway line. These buses are all 'rot duan'.
Private Buses To Bangkok
Several private companies operate air-conditioned bus services between Chumphon town centre and Bangkok.
Minivans To Ranong And Surat Thani
A couple of private companies operate minivans from Chumphon town centre.
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A Note On The Different Types Of Buses
Example of route number marking
Buses usually have the route written on the side, often in both Thai and English, along with some cryptic numbers. One of these is always the route number, and it is the first of two numbers separated by a dash (see the example)
Most long-distance buses in southern Thailand are air-conditioned. The more basic fan-cooled buses are restricted to shorter journeys, usually within a province or maybe into the next province.
Government Bus Or Private Bus?
The distinction is a little bit blurred in the middle. At one end you have the obvious privately run buses with the company name on them, that run special routes and only stop at company offices. At the other end are the "local" buses with the official government logo on them. In the middle are the privately run buses that work for the government
Buses usually have the route written on the side, often in both Thai and English, along with some cryptic numbers. One of these is always the route number, and it is the first of two numbers separated by a dash (see the example)
The easiest way to tell is by the bus colour, or by looking for the government bus company logo:
- Orange (or orange and grey/white) - government bus
- Orange/red and blue (or orange/red, blue and grey/white) - private bus sub-contracted to the government
- Blue (or blue and grey/white) - private bus
- Gaudy paintwork - private bus
First, Second, VIP Or What?
Local Buses (Fan-Cooled)
"Local" buses are just that - local. Their routes are maybe 50km or less (and it may take the whole day to travel this far, as they seem to stop every hundred metres to pick somebody up or drop somebody off). Most non-air-con buses that come into the centre of Chumphon are local buses
A government bus
Rot Duan - "Express" Buses (Fan-Cooled)
These big orange fan-cooled buses are what most backpackers mean when they talk about "local" buses. The same comfort standard as the true local buses (i.e. packed, fan-cooled, and often with very loud karaoke or Thai movies playing), but for longer journeys. They are called "express" buses because they don't stop as often as the local buses - e.g: Ranong-Chumphon (120km) in around 3 hours, Surat Thani-Chumphon (170km) in around 5 hours.
A second-class bus
Chan Song - Second Class (Air-Conditioned)
Faster than the rot duan (mainly due to less stops). No toilets, so the stops can come in handy! Sometimes (if you're lucky) you may get blankets provided.
A private VIP bus run by Lomprayah
Chan Neung - First Class (Air-Conditioned)
Even fewer stops than the second class (usually only at major bus terminals en route), and often a more direct route. Usually have a toilet and provide blankets, water and snacks. Sometimes double-deckers.
VIP (Air-Conditioned)
Similar to first class but fewer seats and a meal is usually provided.
S-VIP - Super-VIP (Air-Conditioned)
Similar to VIP, but fewer seats still.
