Phimai

Getting there and away

Bus

Buses between Phimai and Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) depart every 30 minutes between 05:00 and 19:00, take about 1.5 hours, and cost 50B with air con or 39B without. In Khorat, board at Bus Terminal 1 or 2.

In Phimai, travellers may board at the central bus station, which is a bit hidden behind the storefronts off the Bypass Rd in New Phimai (on your right if heading away from town -- if you pass Phimai Inn on your left you've gone too far) or may catch the bus in front of the digital clock tower in the centre of town. In either direction, buses will stop to pick up travellers almost anywhere.

There is also an air-conditioned mini bus service that runs from Phimai to Khorat, with an office at the intersection of Haitharom Rd and Chom Sin Suda Sadet Rd, not far from Phimai Hotel. They depart hourly from 9:50 to 17:40 and cost 50B.

Unless you have your own transport there is no direct route to Phimai outside of Khorat and all onward travel requires that you first get back to Khorat and proceed from there. Coming from Bangkok, for example, entails a three hours bus ride to Khorat, changing buses, and then the 1.5 hours to Phimai. Going onward to Khon Kaen requires the 1.5 hours back to Khorat, switching buses, and then an additional three hour ride.

Updates from Travelfish readers

Bus from Korat to Phimai on 19.11. did cost 36 baht and took 2h. The way back on 20.11. was same price and 1.5h.
Both times it was an ordinary fan bus. I could not spot an air-con bus.

There is a bus stop opposite of the clock tower in Phimai (blue bus stop sign). Most passengers will leave the bus here (coming from Korat) and it stops on the way back.

Update by Secret (3)
Written on 21st November, 2010