1

I usually take the minvan from Victory Monument. It's faster. The trick is finding the right minivan amonst the hoardes of them at Victory Monument. I know where to catch the one to Pak Chong but I couldn't describe it to you. But you should be able to find it by asking the drivers who are waiting around.

2

I'd go with the bus. It might be a bit slower, but it's safer. Every two weeks there is another story in the news about a crazy minivan driver who gets the whole car seriously injured or killed in a road collision.

3

I too would favour the bus for safety reasons, sorry I can't tell you where it leaves from. Depends if you have much luggage as well, very little luggage space on the mini vans.

ps, make sure you visit the Bat Cave.

4

I would go with the bus, once again, for safety reasons.

We never use shared vans.

5

I have done a bus trip and a minivan trip, not for your destination but from pattaya to surin, I have to say that the minivan for me is so much better, so long as you find the right van, twice I have been on a bus and twice I could not sleep for fear of the way the drivers were driving, with in minutes of leaving pattaya, the bus drivers turn in to racing car drivers overtaking anything that is in front of them, and driving at high speed on a double decker bus is not pleasant especially when sitting on the top, I was feeling sea sick, as the bus was just swaying left and right, for me the minivan was a much more pleasant drive as there are maybe only 10 ppl in side and was quite roomy, plus it will be a little cheaper

6

^^ If you watch the Thai news, you constantly see stories about multiple people dying and getting seriously injured in mini bus accidents. Hardly ever see it regarding buses. I stay away from minivans.

7

Minivan all the way. Accident rate is tiny considering how many thousands of them are running every day. Not many bus accidents but when they have one it's a mess.