Going to VISTEC

Apparently, information about VISTEC is scarce online. The website only has instructions for driving to VISTEC. Perhaps this is because VISTEC is relatively new, or perhaps because most of the time people are expected to either use the transport provided, or to drive.

Nonetheless, it is quite possible to take public transport to vistec. This is described below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: VISTEC is a private institution built on land owned by PTT. There are two gates between the highway and VISTEC, but you won’t even see the second one if you are stopped at the first. You need a reason to enter. If you’re not a staff or student, you can’t just go in to have a look. However, if you have an appointment with someone inside or have registered for a public seminar, access will be granted.

How to travel to VISTEC from Bangkok 

Public transport in the form of vans or coach buses are available from two locations in Bangkok: Mo Chit bus terminal, and Ekkamai the eastern bus terminal.

Look for transport heading towards Jantaburi / Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) or Trat (ตราด). These pass by Wang Chan Valley, unlike the transports which go directly to Rayong or Pattaya.

From Mor Chit

A ticket from Mor Chit Bus Terminal will cost 187฿, but you must say that you are going to Wang Chan. Look for counter 44. Buses might move out at 9.30am, 1.30pm, and 5.30pm, but sometimes the midday one is cancelled. If you do not wish to wait, take a van.

The Mor Chit Van Terminal was moved in 2018 to a location across the road from the Bus Terminal. Counters selling 200฿ tickets to Jantaburi can be found in the building to the right. There is no fixed schedule - the transport company will usually push out the vans once fully booked.

From Ekkamai

At the Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal, there are two options. A trip on a coach bus will cost 144฿, while a trip on a van will cost 200฿. Counters for both are found in the main ticketing area.

The first bus out of Ekkamai is at 5am, while the last bus is at 11:30pm.

The way to Wang Chan

It's actually pronounced 'wang JARN'. Anyway, the trip is 3 hours long, possibly with a break, so you can plan accordingly. Eating is discouraged before the break, especially if your food has any aroma. If you go by bus, they might distribute snacks if there will be no break.

Alighting near VISTEC

Both when buying the ticket and boarding the vehicle, be sure to let the crew know that you wish to alight along Highway 344, in Wang Chan - specifically the PTT petrol station. Along the way, get ready to alert your driver soon after crossing the border into Rayong Province. You'll can see if you're passing the border because there are signs, or you can use a map with GPS.

Look for a PTT petrol station with a giant buckyball outside. It would be on the opposite side of the highway, so you'll have to cross the road after alighting. From this point, it would be 2km to VISTEC. Perhaps the best option would be to ask your contact to fetch you, while you wait at the petrol station: there are shops such as Jiffy's, Chester's Grill, and Amazon Cafe.

It would be a scenic and pleasant walk to VISTEC from the petrol station - however, few people do it in the hot and humid climate. If your contact is unable to fetch you in person, he can request for the VISTEC staff to arrange an electronic buggy / golf cart to bring you in.