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Published: July 16th 2017
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Geo: 16.42, 102.83
I am going to be a little pressed for time when we reach Bangkok so am delighted to find that we lad as forecast at 09:15. I am one of the first off the plane and make my way quickly to immigration. This is usually a nightmare here with long queues at the foreign passport desks and empty Thai passport desks. I had intended trying to blag my way through a Thai desk but surprisingly there is almost no-one here and I walk straight through. Having arrived at the baggage carousel so quickly, however, I now have a 30mins wait for my suitcase to appear and stand looking at my watch as the minutes tick by. I then make a dash across the airport to the taxi area and am soon leaving Suvarnabhumi behind me ad heading out into what might be the chaos of Bangkok traffic. I make sure the driver is aware of my urgency and he responds by finding some Michael Schumacher genes somewhere and dodges in and out of traffic, overtaking on the outside, the inside, and speeding along the hard shoulder when the traffic built up. We made it to the airport at Don Muang with 30mins to spare, loads of time.
IT is surprisingly busy here but I check-in and make my way through to the departure gate with about 15mins before boarding. Check-in with Jai to let her know I am in Bangkok but leave her thinking that I am staying here tonight. I am really tired now and have to keep walking up and down to stay focused.
Looking out the window it appears that we have a real plane today, one with jet engines. Board and depart on time just before midday. Am sat next to a Thai businessman who runs a paper mill near Khon Kaen and he spends the whole flight talking to me so I don't even get a nap. Arrive in Khon Kaen before 13:00 and as w leave the plane everyone is handed a bright yellow umbrella to keep the sun off during the short walk to the terminal buildings.
Bags come very quickly as we are the only flight here at the moment and I wander out to get a taxi. I had been considering going to a hotel for the night and finishing the journey tomorrow morning but in the end decide it is best to get tings over with today. Taxi to the bus station where I have to wait an hour for the next Phon Thong bus.
When the bus arrives it is not the usual bus but a small mini-bus. Jai has always warned me off these as they tend to drive very quickly without much regard for other road users. The next proper bus is't for another 1 1/2 hrs though and I cant wait here that long. He certainly drove fast and often dangerously but he does get me to Phon Thong in record time.
As I leave the bus a Phon Thong most of the tuk-tuk drivers know me now and know where I am going so very quickly one of them has his bike next to the bus, we are loaded up and off. I make a quick stop at the 7/11 for some bread and milk even though Jai assures me she has some already. Leaving Phon Thong I make the most of the good phone signal to call mum and report my safe arrival.
Get back to the house to find a surprised Jai cooking and it smells good. Back at the house just a few hours after landing at Bangkok fells good but it was very tiring.
Unpack, shower (cold !), eat and then straight to a very welcome looking bed.
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