BKK to Ko Tao

[Thai_Diver]

Don't agree with you there.
LK has left the bashing behind lately and posted some very to the point, sometimes even funny, posts with positive, constructive remarks.

Maybe you missed his previous post... Hey-Ho :focus:

 

[drbill]

I did it in 2001 with a combo ticket. We had to sleep on the floor in Chumphon before catching the boat, but as a backpacker that was no big deal. Enjoyed the experience.

 

[daveray]

Marine Diva did give you good advice suggesting Dave info@justdiveit.com who is in the Buddha View office in Khao Sarn. The price buying from him or through a railway station or bus station is the same. The combined ticket with the boat works out cheaper than buying them individually, booking through Dave also ensures that you are met at the pier on arrival and transferred to the boat from Chumporn. Much easier. Dave is really helpful and talkative. Contact him and he will give you honest informative advice.

 

[stevenl]

And Daveray is Dave?

 

[DevonDiver]

Marine Diva did give you good advice suggesting Dave booking through Dave also ensures that you are met at the pier on arrival and transferred to the boat from Chumporn. Much easier. Dave is really helpful and talkative. Contact him and he will give you honest informative advice.

Lets get this straight. Do you think people are stupid? Met at the pier on arrival? Are you suggesting that Dave will arrange your transport on Koh Tao to the resort of your choice?

ALL of the Joint-Tickets include Chumporn-Pier transfer. It's deceptive to infer that you'd only get that from 'Dave'.

I am struggling to believe that 'Dave' just sits in his KSR office selling transport tickets at the same price as you could buy them directly. Is it a charity?

Or...does he actually sell diving/accommdation in conjunction with the transport tickets?

I am sure that Dave is talkative and charming.... he is an agent/representative trying to sell you diving/accomodation.

 

[QBit]

Marine Diva did give you good advice suggesting Dave info@justdiveit.com who is in the Buddha View office in Khao Sarn. The price buying from him or through a railway station or bus station is the same. The combined ticket with the boat works out cheaper than buying them individually, booking through Dave also ensures that you are met at the pier on arrival and transferred to the boat from Chumporn. Much easier. Dave is really helpful and talkative. Contact him and he will give you honest informative advice.

I think that it would be the same price, of course- but the level of comfort might be lacking.

After years of getting scammed at KSR, i smartened up and started taking the public bus. Its much better!

 

[jdfmail]

While I appreciate all advice given here, as an experienced expat in BKK, I will pass on anything ksr. There is a reason that prices are the same as booking direct and I don't want to find out what that is. I think it will be easy enough to go to Hua Lampong and book directly. Take the MRT to the train station and book in advance. Take the van/bus whatever to the pier and wait for the boat to leave.

No need to continue this thread. Thanks again for all the great help and advice!

 

[gubbins]

I've taken the combined bus/boat ticket through Lomprayah several times and it's always been fine. Professional, reliable and cheap. Sometimes you get lucky and get the bus with a bit more legroom. The train is my preference these days as it's more comfortable and that extra bit of sleep makes it easier to spend the next afternoon diving.

:: Bangkok Branch :: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co.,Ltd. ::

 

[marinediva]

Lets get this straight. Do you think people are stupid? Met at the pier on arrival? Are you suggesting that Dave will arrange your transport on Koh Tao to the resort of your choice?

ALL of the Joint-Tickets include Chumporn-Pier transfer. It's deceptive to infer that you'd only get that from 'Dave'.

I am struggling to believe that 'Dave' just sits in his KSR office selling transport tickets at the same price as you could buy them directly. Is it a charity?

Or...does he actually sell diving/accommdation in conjunction with the transport tickets?

I am sure that Dave is talkative and charming.... he is an agent/representative trying to sell you diving/accomodation.

Dave is actually selling lots of packages for different resorts etc not just in Thailand.
He is a personal agent for BV. Seems to me you guys wish to make out that every person selling a ticket is out to rip the tourist off. FFS.

This is one guy that offers SERVICE. The very stuff posts in the past have been looking for. You meet him and he will remember you for years to come. It is honest and very reliable. You don't have to go to BV> He can get you to Koh Tao end of story if you wish. No committment.

How on earth could a business such as BV have been around for twenty years, they just did not appear, and be so successful at it all, if not for good service.
DD stop trying to put it down, there are lots of dive shops who have agents in Bangkok, and mostly they all do great work, and offer good value prices. If your not dealing with one of their agents then yes, you could be ripped off.
But as for suggesting KS rd, and all the agents who act for them are ripping people off please, you think everyone who travels is a fool.

BV was recommended to me by someone in Aust. Who had done their course there seven years prior, and someone had recommended them.
Funny but the people running it then are still running it now.
NOT everyone is out to get you in Thailand.
You guys should really chill and get some facts straight. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[DevonDiver]

DD stop trying to put it down, there are lots of dive shops who have agents in Bangkok, and mostly they all do great work, and offer good value prices.

Yes, I know. I worked for several shops that had agents in Bangkok. I had to deal with incessant complaints from customers who found out they had paid twice as much for their course in Bangkok, as their fellow students had paid directly in Tao.

The question of agents has got nothing to do with the quality of the dive shop. Even so, it would be quite inaccurate to use the size or duration of a dive shop's activities as a gauge for the quality of its operations.

I've tried to steer clear of a pointless debate over which dive shops to use or not use. That's down to the preference of the diver themselves. The OP is a qualified diver with some experience - so lets trust him to make his own mind up about which to choose.

Information he does need is about transport and accomodation. My advice remains, there is no benefit to buying from a tourist or diving agency on KSR. Those places are not charities and NOT there for the benefit of any Tom, Dick or Harry that happen to walk through their doors. They want to make money....and they do that by buying something for a $ and then selling it for $$$.