Whilst I acknowledge I'm still a "
" in LOS, I've been here long enough to offer the following useful advice to anyone researching the best way to get from BKK to Buriram City (or vice versa). I know there are Guests out there in far off lands reading these blogs, so hopefully this will help you get to Buriram.
I found it very confusing and frustrating a long time ago trying to get this same info when I first contemplated coming to Buriram. I read many forums and blogs, and everyone seemed to agree NCA (Nakhon Chai Air bus) was the way to go.
It is incredibly daunting to have to find your way 400km in a strange land, where you can't speak the lingo, or read the language. I was very fortunate. My TGF managed to get 2 days off from work in Buriram at the last minute, and made the big trip to BKK to meet me. Certainly made me a LOT happier !!
www.nca.co.th website was helpful to a point, but whoever ok'd the English version, needs their arse kicked. Useless. I've done the return bus trip 6-7 times now, often by myself, and for me, it's the only way to go.
Lets assume you are coming from BKK to Buriram. First thing is to find the NCA bus terminal. They have their own dedicated Company terminal. In the Search box on Google Map (satellite), type in the following, then hit Search
13.828083, 100.552167 (Do it EXACTLY the way I've typed. Leave 1 space between the 2 sets of co-ordinates)
A big green arrow will highlight the Terminal. Big silver roof. Keep zooming in and you can see the coaches parked at the terminal and manoeuvering around the yard. Terrific terminal. Has all the facilities of any modern bus terminal.
The terminal is 60 baht taxi ride (5-10mins) from Mo Chit BTS Skytrain station.
Print the Google satellite image, and show the taxi guy at Mo Chit Station. You will need to walk over the road to catch the taxi, as the taxi needs to go the same direction as the train was going - North. Your printed satellite image has the street names in English & Thai, so the taxi guy should have no problem.
I find it very useful to have a photo of an NCA bus from their website, to show taxi guy. Big smiles as he suddenly understands where you wish to go.
372 baht from BKK to Buriram. Gold Class is the only option. Non stop trip. 5-6hrs (depending on time of day)
Dep 8.30am 9.40am 11.10am 5.10pm 8.10pm 9.10pm 10.10pm 11.10pm Midnight+10mins
NCA terminal is NOT the main Chatuchak Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit2). NCA Terminal is 1.5km NNE of Chatuchak
(I read one forum where they described the 2 bus stations as being opposite each other !! Definately NOT)
However, after departing their own Terminal, the NCA bus then goes to Chatuchak for a 2nd pickup, then it's non stop to Buriram. Hostess on board hands out free snack pack, bottle of water, bag of chippy things. My lifelong career back in Oz was in the coach industry, so trust me on this one, NCA is a superb outfit in every respect.
Buriram Bus Station is located in the Centre of town, and hopefully a warm body and a friendly smile waits you. If she hasn't already been cuddled up to you for 6hrs in the bus !!
Getting back to BKK is "same same" ... but in reverse. The bus makes 1 dropoff on the outskirts of BKK, then straight to the NCA Terminal, then onto Chatuchak 1.5km further on. I've always found it more convenient to get on/off at NCA Terminal, rather than Chatuchuk. Chatuchak is an absolute ants nest of people, and can be quite intimidating. NCA Terminal is quiet, modern, friendly.
Buriram to BKK dep times are 8.30am 9.40am 11.10am 5.10pm 8.10pm 9.10pm 10.10pm 11.10pm Midnight+10mins