Paradive Travel

Paradive Travel (also known as Paradise Travel) is one of numerous transportation companies in Thailand running their economy buses from Bangkok to the South destinations as well as offering combination trips to the islands of the Gulf. The company offers both direct and all-in-one (joint) tickets; the latter option makes it easier for passengers to get to win time and money without booking separate tickets.

Paradive Travel departure time is very laconic and easy to remember; buses to all directions leave at 7pm.

Departure point is officially stated as Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok but according to some feedbacks from the clients they still collect people from Khao San Rd. (the main backpackers headquarters in Bangkok); so probably you will not have to lose time striving through traffic for hours if you are lodged somewhere near Khao San Rd. Check all the info before booking.

Bangkok–Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

If your final destination is one of the islands of the Gulf, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, Paradive Travel offer a combined bus+ferry journey.

Proceeding to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao you will be brought to the port of Donsak in Suratthani by bus and then change onto a ferry.

Bangkok–Koh Lanta&Koh Phi Phi

Krabi will be the mainland gateway to Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.

Be prepared for a really long trip originally lasting from 15 to 19 hours (depending on destination) and don’t forget essential Thai downtime or delay or standstill or timeout.

Paradive Travel has an option for those who want to take a break on the way. They do direct bus transfers to Krabi and Suratthani as well. Duration of this kind of trip is surely shorter.

Bangkok–Khao Lak&Khao Sok

Paradive Travel is one of few companies offering direct transfer from Bangkok to Khao Lak, a resort area on the Andaman Coast immediately north of Phuket which is a great alternative if you do not like too touristy areas. The trip lasts 16 hours and tickets cost THB1050.

Another great destination for adventure seekers with Paradive Travel is Khao Sok National Park, one of the most beautiful and scenic national parks in the whole country. The length of the journey and the cost of ticket is the same as for Khao Lak.

As both of these destinations are on the mainland, you have a direct bus ride without any connections.

The entire trip is cost effective and basically providing what you pay for (price policy is very friendly, tickets cost ranges from THB1000-1300).

Some people remained more than satisfied and even grateful recalling the bus waited for them in spite of their being late for half an hour.

There were NO complaints about the boat leg (boat is fine, stable and comfortable with strong air con, refreshments and beers, big room and good toilets).

Actual arrival time can differ from the scheduled one.

Buses are of economy class which explains their mediocre quality (not very comfortable inside, leaking aircon, though most of the seats are reclining you can be unlucky enough to hit the one which is not, smelly toilet, no blankets or complimentary sacks and water included, no lighting fir reading, no Wi-Fi).

The only food/drink/ toilet stop for 10-hours (or even 18-hour) trip was at a high-priced, filthy place (mostly had snacks such as Pringles, Ritz crackers and biscuits) and as food coupons are not covered by ticket fare the passengers are starving and just have to drop in.

The crew was rude providing no information; charge you to use the restroom.

Not well-cleaned bus station or rather a shack in Suratthani and thereafter too long waiting at the pier for ferry pick up were disappointing.

No information on travel itinerary and stops - when the collection point in Bangkok is the central train station, passengers have no idea that the bus will proceed to Khao San Rd to collect more people, so due to the lack of information some passengers had actually to back-trace the whole route to Khao San Road.

Ticket fare for children is the same as for adults though normally there is a 50% discount for kids in Thailand.

Keep your ticket (NOT purchase receipt, it will not help) until the whole trip is over, the pier staff or anyone else may ask you to show your bus ticket which is valid for the ferry as well so the one failing to have it would probably have to pay again.