Hello, travel lovers! 🌏✈️

Ever wondered what it’s like to travel from Phuket to Bangkok by bus? Well, buckle up, because I’m about to take you on an unforgettable, slightly ridiculous, and incredibly fun journey across Thailand.

The plan seemed simple: hop on a bus in Phuket, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic route to Bangkok. Easy, right? WRONG. What started as an innocent bus ride turned into an adventure of bizarre encounters, questionable snacks, and some truly questionable life decisions. So, grab your snacks (I’m sure they’re better than mine), and let’s get started!

7:00 AM: The “Bright and Early” Bus Departure

The day began early. Too early. Like, I-haven’t-had-my-coffee-yet kind of early. I arrive at the bus station, bleary-eyed and ready for an 11-hour bus ride (yep, you heard that right). As I stand there, waiting for the bus, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a better way to travel. Could I walk to Bangkok in less time? Maybe. Could I have rented a car? Definitely. But no, here I am, waiting for the magical bus.

Then, it arrives. A big, dusty, somewhat-rickety bus that looks like it’s seen better days. But hey, it’s going to Bangkok, so I hop on.

I quickly realize that the bus has all the luxury of a cardboard box, with just enough legroom for my knees to beg for mercy. But it’s fine. I’m tough. I’m determined. This is going to be a fun adventure. Right?

8:00 AM: Seatmates and the Great Snack Debate

The bus is packed. Everyone’s trying to find their seat, and chaos is ensuing. I finally settle in and begin to realize that I have not one, not two, but three seatmates. There’s the friendly lady beside me who is in a deep conversation with her phone (and possibly the entire country of Thailand through WhatsApp), the old man across the aisle who has decided that snoring is his most important job, and the teenager who thinks the bus is a personal dance floor (more on that in a minute).

Now, let’s talk about snacks. You know you’re in for a treat when the bus attendant passes around a mystery bag filled with snacks. What’s inside, you ask? Oh, just the usual—crispy seaweed, instant noodles, and mystery meat that I’m pretty sure should not be eaten in a moving vehicle. It all tastes like the kind of thing you’d buy at a gas station when you’re too tired to make a decision. But it’s fine. We’re embracing the local experience.

Then, the kid across the aisle offers me his bag of dried fish. Dried. Fish. I try to politely decline, but he insists. “You have to try, it’s traditional,” he says, as if this is a rite of passage. So, naturally, I take one bite. It’s… chewy. It’s fishy. It’s… well, it’s definitely an experience.

10:00 AM: The Roadside Pit Stop of Mystery

After about two hours of driving (and three more dried fish bites), the bus pulls over at a roadside pit stop. Now, I’ve traveled enough to know that pit stops are usually where the real adventure begins. This one, however, feels a little… off.

The “restroom” is a glorified hole in the ground. The food stands seem to only offer options like deep-fried spiders, stinky tofu, and mystery meat-on-a-stick (again, I’m questioning my life choices). But, hey, if you’re going to try something new, this seems like the place.

I bravely attempt to use the restroom. Attempt being the key word here. It’s essentially a squat-and-pray situation, and as I carefully balance, I wonder if this is how survival reality shows are born. I emerge from the experience a new person—slightly traumatized but also somehow proud of my newfound skills.

12:00 PM: The Kid and His Dance Party

Back on the bus, things have taken a turn. The teenager across the aisle, whose personal dance floor was getting a little too intense earlier, now decides that it’s time for a performance. And by performance, I mean a full-on dance routine. In the middle of the bus.

There he is, bopping around to some music that I’m fairly certain the rest of the bus doesn’t appreciate. At first, I try to ignore it, but the rhythm is infectious. Before I know it, I’m tapping my feet. The entire bus seems to be in some kind of trance. Are we part of a flash mob? Is this a thing in Thailand? Should I be joining in? My inner self says “no,” but my feet are saying “yes.”

So, for about 30 minutes, we all have a weird, unspoken dance party. No one speaks, no one asks questions. We just let it happen. Welcome to the bus ride of a lifetime.

3:00 PM: The Great Bangkok Traffic Jam

Ah, Bangkok. The city of dreams. Well, that’s what I thought—until I hit traffic. Not just any traffic, but the kind of traffic that makes you question every decision you’ve ever made in your life. We’ve been on the bus for, what, eight hours now? And we’re still about 20 kilometers from the city.

As we inch forward (and by “inch,” I mean we’re moving at the speed of molasses), I have time to reflect on life. I consider sending out an apology email to everyone who warned me about the chaotic bus ride. This is fine. It’s just a little traffic. Just a little patience. I’ll get there eventually… maybe.

6:00 PM: Arrival in Bangkok – But Not the End of the Fun

After 11 hours of pure chaos, we finally roll into Bangkok. The bus is still running on fumes, but somehow, I’ve survived. The smell of the city hits me first—the mixture of street food, car exhaust, and adventure. I step off the bus, legs stiff, eyes tired, but my spirit… well, it’s alive. And honestly, I’m kind of proud of myself.

Sure, the ride was long, uncomfortable, and a bit ridiculous at times, but you know what? It’s all part of the experience. If you can survive a 24-hour bus ride through Thailand, you can survive anything.

Would I do it again? Maybe. Would I recommend it to a friend? Only if they really, really like dried fish and spontaneous dance parties.

So, if you’re thinking about traveling from Phuket to Bangkok by bus, pack your patience, your sense of humor, and maybe some strong stomach medicine (just in case you get offered the mystery meat). You’ll definitely come away with a few stories—and a new level of respect for people who take buses in Thailand regularly.

And hey, you’ll have a blast. I did! 🚍💨

Stay adventurous, stay curious, and keep laughing with Learn with Pari!