Getting from Aranyapathet to Bangkok

After getting through the Thai border I said goodbye to the kind young man trying to talk me into a van ride to Bangkok and proceeded down to a nearby bus station. This bus station was not very far. Just hang a right on the first street and head up to the left where you'll find a market. I did not go this way. I ended up going all the way up to the main road and taking a right. Then followed the main road till I found a market and took a right. All the way down... to the bus station...

Oops

I was hoping to catch a casino bus to Bangkok. I had read online that there is one leaving every 30 minutes to bring the gamblers back to the city from Poipet (gambling is illegal in Thailand). The large bus was not there when I arrived. I found an office that was selling mini van rides and another office that was selling bus tickets. With a lot of difficult communication we figured out that I needed a ride to Bangkok and the bus was going near Bangkok to the town of Chachoengsao. 

 Hours later I made it to the end of that bus ride. From here you can get on another bus or take a van. I chose the van. It's more money, but at this point I just wanted to get to Bangkok. More specifically, the Saphaipae Hostel in Silom. The ticket agent said I can get a ride to Bang Na where I'll be able to take the sky train the rest of the way.

 Of course, I did not.

 I ended up walking around to see Bang Na. The streets were nice, the people were friendly and the river looked calm. A walk to the hostel seemed like a good idea- for a few minutes. I quickly gave up hope of walking the rest of the way and hailed a metered taxi. (I had seen on YouTube that you should avoid any taxi that does not run a meter.) Now I knew I would finally arrive at my destination. 

 Nine hours after getting through immigration, I made it. 

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