Thailand forum

Unlike a lot of Surathani travel agents, Phantip is a class outfit with big shiny offices near the first of the small bus stations right in town. I've used them to get to the islands and things worked seamlessly. If your flight is on time you have plenty of time to get down to their office.

2 weeks ago I was on a public bus from Khao Lak west of Sok to Surathani. This passes Khao Sok National Park and goes by Surathani train station on its way into Surathani itself. So it would be possible for you to get one of these in the reverse direction. What you want is a bus with Phuket or Takua Pa on the front. The Phuket bus will probably have Khao Sok/Takua Pa on it as well (English as well as Thai script). I think the last of these buses leave Surathani's town bus station around 1600-1630.

There will be public minivans probably to Takua Pa from the second small town bus station about one block south of the first - I think you will find these run later than the public buses.

Yep, this time last week I stayed at D's Guesthouse in Thalang Road. Big squeaky clean fan rooms with bathroom 300 and 350 baht run by a nice lady with good English only 10 minutes walk from the bus station. She puts on a simple toast, jam, fruit and tea/coffee breakfast for 30 baht. If you Google you will be able to find a location map on Agoda or similar booking site for navigation. Or it is about a 50baht motorcycle taxi ride if you don't want to hoof it. I think D's has its own website (there may be a location map) but there is no need to book this time of year.

10 minutes further walk is Phuket Backpackers, a friendly bustling place with 250baht dorms and more expensive singles. I've used them often - another good joint.

That Surathani bus via Khao Lak, Takua Pa and Khao Sok is the one you want from the bus station. Simply ask for Khao Sok. The conductors are very good - yours will make sure you get off at the right place.

Any news about the new bus terminal in Phuket??