Morchit bus terminal in Bangkok (Krittin Neelakarn / Shutterstock.com)
Those who now want to buy a bus ticket to travel from Bangkok to the province will have a hard time. Carriers say that all interprovincial bus services from Bangkok are fully booked for the New Year holidays this year, but additional buses will be scheduled.
Jirasak Yaovatsakul, chairman of Transport Co, says that there is still a high demand for bus tickets for the New Year holidays. Therefore, extra buses are deployed on routes such as Bangkok – Chiang Mai, Bangkok – Chiang Rai, Bangkok – Nan, Bangkok – Sakon Nakhon, Bangkok – Nakhon Phanom, Bangkok – Surat Thani and Bangkok – Samui. The operators plan to deploy 1.500 additional buses around the new year.
Bus operators and staff have been instructed not to sell more tickets than there are seats. It is also not allowed to pick up passengers outside the terminal.
Jirasak advises passengers to only buy bus tickets at official counters and check fares to avoid being scammed. Passengers should alert officials immediately if they see anything suspicious.
Bus drivers are also being tested for alcohol consumption, he said. Traffic police will man checkpoints to inspect public buses on main roads. Buses will be fitted with GPS systems to ensure drivers stay within the 90 km/h speed limit. Two drivers will drive long-distance buses to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Source: Bangkok Post