As for what agency to use, we obviously all have out preferences, but I chose Fame over Farang years ago just by fluke. Befriended the owner, Akey, and I wouldn't go anywhere else. But that's one man, one story.
Sorry, just realized I should clarify a bit here for anyone who hasn't traveled in Tahiland much. The one thing that almost every backwater town that's on a known tourist path or destination point (other than a 7-11, opticians, bike rentals, insert anything here) is a booking agency. They can vary from quite handy to down right rude rip off artists. Some are notorious for shoving the farang cattle from one van to bus to van for what seems like days and then taken to another agency for a little brekkie after a long long ride. Slice of toast, 100bht, thank you very much. Coffee (that's Nescafe folks), 80bht please. OH.... that would be an egg, I think. Fried in the Mesozoic era, by the looks of it, so we'll charge for historic value.
Not to stray too far from my point, but Krabi is one of the worst for it. Book a ticket on a minivan from the tourist part of town to say, Ranong (along the Mynamar border, west coast). 400 to 600 bht. Make your way to the bus station knowing that can't be right. Surrounding the bus station are similar agencies that are gonna give you a killer deal. Almost half price! Walk past every last one of them into the bus terminal, go to the counter and book a government transport.... I did this less than 2 months ago...173 bht. I mean, sure the extra 3 baht markup from an even 170 kinda had me confused
, but there are just some towns where it really really pays (or saves) to watch the Thais and do like they do.
What's my point? In Chumporn there are 2 main tourist agencies and you will surely be taken to one of them. Even if you take the government bus and you're lucky enough to get off in town and not the bus station that is an inexplicable 12k outside of town, you'll still end up at one of them. And here, maybe just because I know the owner, I can handle the agency thing. They get you to and from Chumporn and will explain that there are always more options (for example, neither Andy nor myself mentioned there is yet another daytime boat- The Songserm, nor did we mention the night boats) Because Chumporn is a port town, and because it is one of only two strong port towns that access Samui, Phangan, and Tao, getting people out and back has turned into a lucrative business.
Still waiting for my point (so am I)? Chumporn has Farang bar and Fame (often pronounced fRame bar even by the staff
) Andy mentioned Farang, and I mentioned Fame. End of the day, it's fried noodles or pad siew. Same thing, different name. EXCEPT... and this is where I mentioned that I'm just one guy, one story, but the first time I went to Fame after having been at Farang the month before, I was lucky enough to meet Akey. That man has, at little to no profit, arranged tickets, transfers, rooms, watched over my left luggage for weeks, and served me some of the best olive oil bread I've ever had fresh out of an oven.... in Asia, anyway.
So I just wanted anyone reading this to keep a few things in mind. Be wary of many of the travel agencies when doing it yourself can help you save considerable money, avoid being yelled at and herded like cattle, and help put you in (depending) a mode of transport that is just as comfortable if not FAR more comfortable than some VIP tourist van/bus. All it takes is being ADAMANT about going to the actual bus station/train station until you get to a place where it's obvious you just cut out 5 middle men that were jacking the price.
The other thing I wanted to make clear is that Chumporn, in my somewhat humble opinion, is the exception the rule RE:Farang and Frame. So when you get there, use them. You might (you will) pay a little premium, but you will also find staff that can actually answer questions and offer you advice that's worth listening to. I think I've made it clear where I go, but I just thought that my last post was maybe a little too brief on what can end up being a HUGE part off the traveling experience.
There is no need to show up in such a beautiful country in a bad mood, but I see it happen all the time and one of the most common threads is how they got there.
Best of luck, and hell, if you all ignore me, you'll (I hope) get over it in a day and enjoy the sun and ocean like the rest of us. If you're still grumpy after walking the boulders at Hin Wong Bay or the small beach at Liem Thien (both East coast Tao bays)......
I got nuthin' for ya, man.
