The Mass Transport of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Between the 5^th of April 2008 and the 8^th of April 2008 I visited the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan. This city is about 5 hours intercity bus ride from the southern bus terminal on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Prachuap Khiri Khan is famous for its nice beaches and top quality seafood and fishing industry.

The city itself is the gateway to the south of Thailand. It is located on a very narrow strip of land that in some places is only 12 kilometers wide. This small strip of land is what joins the south of Thailand with the north of Thailand. Prachuap Khiri Khan is much quieter and is a lot less touristy than the nearby places of Hua Hin and Cha-am. As a result it is cheaper to visit and a nicer place to relax in than most other Thai beach resorts.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a rather small city with only about 15000 residents. Most residents are involved in one of 3 main industries. These industries are fishing, tourism and the Thai air force. Due to the small size of Prachuap Khiri Khan there is no metro or bus system. However it does not mean that it has no mass transport.

The mass transport of Prachuap Khiri Khan consists of small motorbike sidecars called “Saaleng” and the intercity buses that link it to other towns and cities both north and south of the city. Also Prachuap Khiri Khan is a major stop on the SRT main south line. I will post a topic about the railways later.

1. This is a very nice and relaxing beach at Ao Manao. This beach is a 30 baht “Saaleng” ride from the centre of Prachuap Khiri khan it is located inside the Air Force base.

2. This is an image of a typical “Saaleng” taken outside of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Post office. These “Saaleng” are made up of a motorbike and a sidecar with a cover over both. The “Saaleng” can hold upto 5 people not including the driver.

3. This is a shot of a “Saaleng” in its wet weather mode with all the sides covered. In the city area the “Saaleng” cost 20 baht per trip per person. They operate in a similar way to taxis in that they run an on demand mass transport service. The prices are fixed per trip and they offer a door-to-door service.

4. This is a close up shot of a typical “Saaleng” taken at Prachuap Khiri Khan SRT station. They don’t operate on any fixed routes and can be hailed at any location.

5. This is an image of a “Saaleng” being used to carry cargo instead of passengers.

6. This is another close up shot of a “Saaleng” this time with the driver sitting on it. The seat on this one was not very comfortable due to the sharp metal bits that stick into you.

7. This is a short movie of a ride on a Prachuap Khiri Khan “Saaleng” service. Filmed while on the way to the second class intercity bus terminal in the city centre of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

8. This is a picture of a more modern “Saaleng” waiting for passengers in front of a shop. The blue seat on the side can hold 3 people.

9. This is a shot of a second class intercity bus. This bus operates on Route 979 “limited express” Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan. Bus number 2^nd class 979-18. Taken at the second class bus terminal in the centre of Prachuap Khiri Khan city.

10. This is an image of another second class intercity bus taken at the second class bus terminal. Bus number 67- 2. This bus is numbered using the old intercity route numbering system. This bus is an old Hino intercity bus.

11. This is a shot of a first class intercity bus loading passengers at the 1^st class bus terminal in the centre of Prachuap Khiri Khan city. This is an O303 merc. Bus Number 1^st class 979-16. This bus operates the same route 979 as the second class bus but with fewer stops.

12. This is an image of the 1^st class bus ticket counter for route 979 at Prachuap Khiri Khan. The counter is just a hole in the wall shop front that makes up the bus terminal. 1^st class route 979 runs every 1 hour from 6am to 6pm and again 12.30am, 1am and 1.30am. The 1^st class buses cost 232 baht per trip to Bangkok.

13. This is a picture of a more modern 1^st class intercity bus taken just after it arrived at Prachuap Khiri Khan. This is a merc semi double deck intercity bus. Bus number 1^st class 979- 18. The main difference between 1^st and 2^nd class is the addition of a toilet and more legroom.

14. This is a shot of an intercity bus that crashed on a back road near Prachuap Khiri Khan. This bus appears to have crashed while it was on a tour as the route it normally operates on is a long way from the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

15. This is another angle on the crashed intercity bus. This bus appears to have been there for some time. What happened to it is unknown as the accident occurred a long time ago.

16. This is a shot of a route 979 second class intercity bus at the Prachuap Khiri Khan highway bus terminal. Bus number 2^nd class 979-17. This bus is heading to Bangkok.

17. This is an image of a route 990 1^st class intercity bus at the Bangkok bound stop at the Prachuap Khiri khan highway bus terminal. Route 990 operates from Chumphon to Bangkok “limited stop”. Bus number 1^st class 990-21.

18. This is a picture of the bus ticket counter at the highway bus terminal. The counter is shared by a number of different intercity bus routes each with different ticketing staff members.

19. This is a shot of the bus controller’s desk inside the waiting/ticketing area of the Prachuap Khiri Khan highway bus terminal.

20. This is an image of a route 979 second class bus heading to Prachuap Khiri Khan city centre. Bus number 2^nd class 979-12. Taken just after it departed the highway bus terminal.

21. This is a shot of the typical intercity bus tickets used on buses around the Prachuap Khiri Khan area. There are 2 parts one for you and one for the driver to keep.

22. This is a picture of a Nakhon Chai Air company intercity VIP bus. This bus appeared to be part of a private charter group of 10 buses. This bus has only 32 seats and is very comfortable inside. Nakhon Chai Air is the best intercity bus company in Thailand. Bus number 20-7. Taken at the Bangkok bound stop at Prachuap Khiri Khan.

23. This is a shot of another Nakhon Chai Air company intercity VIP bus. This is their super VIP bus with only 18 seats. This is the best intercity bus in Thailand. Bus number unknown. Nakhon Chai Air does not operate to the south of Thailand.

24. This is a shot of a 1^st class intercity bus operating on Route 64 Bangkok to Ranong. This is a Hino 1^st class intercity bus. Taken at the highway bus terminal. Bus number 64 – 14.

25. This is an image of the crappy bus timetable inside the waiting area of the Prachuap Khiri Khan highway bus terminal. These intercity buses are often very late due to heavy traffic on the highway. This road is the only road that links the northern and southern parts of Thailand.

26. This is a shot of a route 993 1^st class inter city bus. Taken at the highway bus terminal at Prachuap Khiri Khan. Route 993 operates as a limited stop service from Bangkok to Surat Thani. Bus number 1^st class 993 – 13. Heading towards Surat Thani another 5 hours south of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.