Orange line: Makro - Bonkai
This route takes you mostly through the back roads all the way to Soi 94.
The line goes through Pae Mai market, Chat Chai market, Night Market and Grand Night Market. The popular shopping malls Blúport and Market Village are also easily reachable by this line.
Cars are painted orange, and the price is 10 or 20 baht depending on the length of your journey (+5 baht after 5 PM). Operating hours are from 6 AM to 10 PM.
How to Use Songthaews?
Songthaews function much like local buses, except they don’t have designated stops - you can hop in and hop off as you please.
They can seem a bit confusing if you’ve never used them before (I know I was confused at first), so I prepared this handy guide for beginning songthaew commuters:
1. Wait at the side of the road for the songthaew. Make sure you are standing on the correct side of the road according to your destination. Be careful with the traffic.
2. Flag down the songthaew when you see it approaching; stretch out your arm clearly so the driver can see. There are several lines in Hua Hin, identified by the colors of the trucks - see the guide below. If you are unsure, tell the driver where you’re going or a landmark near your destination - if he’s going that way, he will nod or say something like “khap, khap!“
3. Board the songthaew. Either sit down on the bench or stand, depending where you fit. If it seems too full, you can just step out, wave the driver away and wait for the next songthaew. Note that if you are sitting on the bench, be polite and give your seat to any elderly/monks/pregnant women that may board after you.
4. Enjoy the ride. Do your best to relax a bit and enjoy the warm wind blowind in your face.
5. Stop the ride. Press the buzzer button when you want to stop. If the truck you boarded isn’t equipped with buzzers, knock the wall of driver’s cabin to let him know you want to get out. The driver will stop as soon as possible.
6. Pay the driver. Prepare a 10 baht coin or 20 baht bill(s) and hand it to the driver through the passenger-side window. He’ll give you the change and you have just completed your first songthaew ride!
