Fame Guesthouse

Our trip with Fame was pretty average, though I was anxious after reading so many horror stories. We only picked it because the train to Hua Hin was fully booked and there wasn't another option. The first van looked new and arrived on time, with comfortable seats and USB-A charging points. We stopped to pick up and drop off passengers along the way, as expected, and took a bathroom break too. Our female driver seemed alert. At times it felt like the van was swerving, though that may just have been the Thai roads and asphalt, which can be pretty questionable. We switched buses in Khiri Khan. The second one was a downgrade, with poor air conditioning and a grubby interior. It's an okay choice if the train is full.

Stay away! Our driver caused a crash today. He was on his phone, not paying attention, and kept changing lanes. We hit a car parked with a flat tire, then got struck from behind as well. Thankfully, no passengers were seriously hurt, but the outcome could have been fatal. It took several hours for the company to arrange onward transport. The replacement car didn't have enough seats, but they still asked everyone to squeeze in, leaving too few seat belts for the passengers. Asking that straight after a crash is completely insane. We haven't received any compensation. At the start of the trip, the driver also demanded payment for luggage and, of course, kept the money for himself. This company is extremely unprofessional and dangerous. Don't risk your life using it.

Jojo Travel in Koh Tao arranged our one-way trip to Bangkok, night ferry and minivan, for 3,100 THB for two people. The ferry was smooth, but in Chumphon, Minivan Fame Tours & Services suddenly wanted another 750 THB for our supposedly “oversized” suitcase. They showed no clear policy or proof, and it seemed arbitrary since all the bags looked about the same size and fit in the van comfortably. We called JoJo for help, but he hung up on us twice. We ended up paying, so if you book with them, have another 750 THB ready in case you're “chosen“.

I paid extra for an overnight ride, an early arrival, and reliable service. Instead, the driver left me in Prachuap Khiri Khan, around 4 hours from Bangkok, and now I'm being told to wait another 2 hours for a different vehicle. The booked schedule, 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM, was meaningless. The trip also involved major delays, unsafe driving, a driver using his phone, and no clear plan after I was dropped in the wrong city. This is misleading service, terrible coordination, and no responsibility. Wasted time and money, with no respect for customers or their safety. Avoid this company and Fame Tours at all costs.