CR
Chetna RWe booked tickets through 12Go for a ferry and bus transfer from Koh Samui to Pattaya and the entire experience was extremely disappointing, stressful, and poorly managed from start to finish.
The problems began at Nathon Seatran Ferry Pier, where our booking confirmation had not been properly sent to the ferry operator by the agent. Thankfully, a member of staff at the pier went above and beyond to help us, spending considerable time going back and forth with the agent to resolve the issue so that we could finally board. Without her assistance, we may well have been left stranded. She was the only positive aspect of this entire experience.
The journey itself was completely different from what we were led to believe when booking. We purchased a ferry and bus transfer to Pattaya, but nowhere during the booking process was it made clear that the bus would first travel to Bangkok, where we would then be required to wait for over 3–4 hours before being transferred to Pattaya in a separate minivan. This was a significant part of the journey and should have been clearly disclosed before booking.
Communication throughout the trip was virtually non-existent. We were never informed about how many stops would be made, where we would be stopping, how long each stop would last, or what the transfer process in Bangkok would involve. We were left completely in the dark and had to repeatedly contact both TravelBusAsia and 12Go ourselves just to obtain basic information about our journey.
What made this even more frustrating was the complete lack of proactive customer support. The company knew we were international travellers and had our contact details, yet no effort was made to contact us with important updates, transfer information, or guidance. A simple phone call, text message, or email could have avoided a great deal of confusion and stress.
At both the Koh Samui and Bangkok offices, communication was extremely poor. Very few staff members spoke sufficient English to assist international passengers, and on several occasions it felt as though staff were simply pretending not to understand our questions rather than making an effort to help. This was particularly frustrating during the lengthy wait in Bangkok, where we were left with little to no information about our onward transfer to Pattaya.
Despite the journey lasting well over 15 hours, only one takeaway meal box was provided. No additional meals, refreshments, or drinks were offered throughout the remainder of the trip. To make matters worse, at one of the food stops associated with the journey, there were no visible prices displayed and we were clearly overcharged as tourists. For example, a small probiotic yoghurt that would normally cost around 15 baht was sold for 30 baht. While the amount itself may be small, it reflects the lack of transparency and consideration shown to passengers throughout the journey.
Most disappointing of all was the response when we raised concerns and repeatedly sought assistance. We contacted both TravelBusAsia and 12Go for support because we were receiving little to no information from staff on the ground. Even after explaining our situation and asking for help, our concerns were largely ignored. We were left feeling unsupported, frustrated, and abandoned during a long and exhausting journey.
Overall, this service was poorly organised, lacked transparency, provided inadequate communication, and failed to deliver the journey that was advertised and expected. International travellers rely on accurate information and responsive customer support, especially during long-distance transfers. Unfortunately, this experience fell far below acceptable standards.
I would not recommend booking this route through 12Go or TravelBusAsia unless significant improvements are made to their communication, customer service, and the accuracy of the information provided to passengers.
Koh Samui to Pattaya, Bus Van + VIP Bus, TravelBusAsia, Jun 15, 2026
JM
Joanne MSamui-Pattaya Trip
Punctuality was great. No problem with the stops. Dinner place had so many options. On the bus, they give you a chocobar and water. Overall service was great and their helpline is very responsive.
Only thing is the bus is a little cramped. If the person in front of you reclines their chair, you can barely move, and the handrests are fixed. Also, there will be no blankets provided, so better to bring your own 😊
Koh Samui to Pattaya, Ferry Ferry + Bus, KST Travel (KST Travel), Feb 23, 2026
JJ
John JWell organized good food at rest area was included. Koh Samui all the way to pattaya 1 price!
Koh Samui to Pattaya, Bus VIP, TravelBusAsia, Feb 18, 2026
LB
Leah BFerry and bus rides were fine, but having to wait three hours from 5-8 am to get our hotel transfers was unpleasant.
Koh Samui to Pattaya, Bus VIP, TravelBusAsia, Jan 26, 2026
SS
Sumit SWonderful and most beautiful airport ever
Koh Samui to Pattaya, flight Economy, Bangkok Airways (บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส), Jul 18, 2022