 Bus
services and coach journeys to destinations outside Bangkok
are reliable and very inexpensive. They are also relatively
punctual. You can select either government or private bus
services.
The Transport
Company, a state enterprise, operates public bus services.
Air-conditioned buses are quite comfortable and include beverage
services and videos (which may be annoying). Public bus services
operate from three principal terminals in Bangkok, each serving
a different region of the country. If you are going to the
east, you need to get a bus at the eastern bus terminal, also
called ‘Ekamai’, on Sukhumvit Road (opposite the Major Cineplex).
For those going to the north, northeast and central provinces,
you should go to the northern bus terminal, known as ‘Mor
Chit’, on Kamphaengphet Road. For buses to the south, you
have to cross the Chao Phraya River to Pinklao where the southern
bus terminal (called ‘Sai Tai Mai’) is located. Buses to the
larger towns and popular destinations normally leave every
hour or half hour.
Both ordinary
and air-conditioned buses are available. And you can opt between
first or second-class air-conditioned bus. For long-distance
destinations, food and beverages are served on the air-conditioned
buses. On some routes, buses make scheduled stops at local
restaurants for about half an hour, where you can take time
to fill your stomach and use the toilets.
Apart from
government-run buses, you can choose a private bus service,
available between the major tourist and business destinations.
Fares may vary from company to company but can be substantially
more than public buses. Private bus services also run between
the various regions.
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