Intercity Buses:Fare Hikes!

[pong]

As far as I know, Thailand is fairly unique, for such a big country, to have a comprehensive, nationwide busroute nr. scheme all across it.
For those who are unaware of it:
routes nrs. 1-998 cross provincial boundaries, and are further subdivided into several 100s series (f.e. 1-100 and 901-998 from/to BKK), 300 central Thai, and more.
Routes nrs. 1001-9900 stay within the province (chiangwat) but cross the boundaries of districts (amphoe).
Routes with 5 digits stay whithin the amphoe, this would include logicalle citybusservices. the first 2 nrs. indicate the chiangwat: thus 23=Cholburi: 23.001 is in Cholburi, muang, 23.00x are the songhthaews of pattaya. Most of these are songhthaew and no ord. bus.
So my question is: does anyone know of a website that lists them all? I would think that either the ministry or the Borisat KonSong organises the scheme. I would be very happy to learn a bit more of it.

[von Hirschhorn]

Oh yes, the same went through my mind many times.
As far I can remember I even wrote a letter to the ministry of transport in the past with no results.
Somebody, somewhere, must exactly know about these numbers and since most line numbers are painted on the buses a small printed guide will do the rest. How to open a country for tourism.
During all my Thai years I travelled a lot, also by bus, so a few numbers en connecting lines are known.
I am eager to know the rest as well.

[Wisarut]

Khun von Hirschhorn ,

You had better contact with Land Transportation Dept as well as the Trasportation Co.Ltd about Numbering Scheme.

[von Hirschhorn]

Thanks Khun Wisarut,

It's many years ago I wrote that letter and to the wrong person as it seems to be.
Anyway I did not pay to much attention to the matter afterwards,
maybe time for a renewed interest.

[pong]

dank je, hee, nu zie ik opeens NL/Utr: heb ik nog gestudeerd.
Ik ben nu in RamKamHaeng/BKK, maar heb mijn lijst (per stad georganiseerd) helaas niet hier bij me in Thailand.
de Borisat Konsong (transport Comp. Hoofd kantoor in nwe Mochit2 gebouwen) is de instantie die het regelt.
van tijd tot tijd komen er bvb. nieuwe prov. bij en dan moeten lijnrs vernaderd: na jaren en jaren geburt dat ook: dus er moet bewaking in zitten.
For the others: this is Dutch, surprised to see somebody from own country here (but with German name); the BoKoSo should have this list. I also made lisitngs from the places I visited in the years, but as I now am in BKK, do not have the notes with me/left in the home.

[von Hirschhorn]

Dutch, English, German, you name it and since it's common to use other names instead of the given - well not every body - I use my writers name. Nothing secret at all, and who really likes to know the background, I can explain.
Je ziet waarde Pong, een kind kan de was doen. Bij jouw had ik Diemen zien staan en 1 + 1 = 2 OK again a line in Dutch but I am interested in that list, you can mail it if you like once back in Diemen. Meanwhile happy exploring buses and trains. Unfortunate I have to wait a while before I am able to go.
Tschüß (Goodbye in German)

[pong]

sawasdee again/khrap, sit again the the webshop in RamKamHaeng, and as last week was very busy with other things, I do not have much time. i do howver have floppydisks with me with lists of these:
1.all BoKoSo routes in/out of BKk (1-100 and 901-98+990x): but without the via places: f.e. there are some 5 different routes to ubon, and thats what also prompted my question.
2.only written and not on disk: from the various places I visited or saw leaflets, i noted down the route nrs.
3.also working on a list of BKK's EXTRA, nrd 1001-1515 additional routes. this list needs to be worked on (partly dutch, and since my home-comp. broke down, not uptodate). How that more time may be coming I can work on it.
Perhaps interesting to put it on this platform/site for others to use/comment at??
choke dee lae pop duay khan.

[von Hirschhorn]

Sawatdee,

Khwam kit dee, put the numbers on the forum so we all can
give new information. I am not so productive at all, here and
there I make notes of numbers once in a different place and far
from complete.
However, with a little help there must be a way, a known way
where all the buses are running.

[pong]

yes, thats what I was thinking too; there is an empty link to BKK extra buses (the ferries are listed), but as I explained: I need some more time to work at it to adjust the many changes since I last had chance to update the list!

[Yappofloyd]

An article in todays Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Apr2005_news30.php) discusses the govts plans to eventually privatise the intercity bus authority. I'm not a big fan of privatising state assests but it is apparent that there is some need for reform in the area. That being said Thailand has to have one of the most cost effective and relatively well kept intercity bus systems in Asia.

Aside from the regular dangerous driving habits by bus drivers which always invariably involving excessive speed there are the problems which everyone aludes too in the inherent corruption in allocation of routes. Anyway, of course I'd rather see an improved intercity rail system so I can hear the familar 'tacky-tack' as I read or drift to sleep....

[von Hirschhorn]

Quote: I'm not a big fan of privatising state assets

Neither am I as stated before in other threads. I also prefer to hear the ‘clickely clack’ from steel on steel instead the sound from singing rubber on the pavement. However, the times that rails reached almost every corner of the world, is some time ago and obviously will not return.
Privatising Public Transport in order to make profit only is killing the system as such. Privatising for the benefit of better services another but this can be done as well under the old structure. Indeed Thailand is blessed with an extended network of bus lines, for them who cannot afford a car or them who will not. In the wake of what mass transportation in private cars causes on the long term and also not be blind for the immediately effects, it’s better think twice.
I am afraid there is not any thinking at all beside on money and since a very small number of people are willing to look at what else became more or less a disaster, the only thing I can say is: ”Be my quest!”

[Ganyc]

Dear 2Bangkok.com,

i am considering about bus travel to Chiang Rai from Bangkok which is cheaper than travel by AirAsia.

Does anyone know whether there is a web-site where international travellers can book a seat of a bus that travels to Chiang Rai from Bangkok?

What bus company and its telephone numbers/ e-mail addresses do you recommend?

Ganyc

[jpatokal]

There's only one --

http://www.transport.co.th/Eng/HomeEnglish.htm

Good luck making an advance booking though. And you do realize that it takes around 12 hours to get from BKK to Chiang Rai by bus, right? :eek:

[Ganyc]

How many bus companies operate services to Chiang Rai and from where in Bangkok? Do they allow advanced bookings on the telephone? Are there different timings of departures to Chiang Rai? i called www.transport.co.th at night but nobody is around.

[ncr]

As jpatokal said, there is only one operator. The big Transport Co. (AKA bor kor sor) :rolleyes: Well, maybe Nakhonchai Air (http://www.nca.co.th/web/main.php) is also going to Chiang Rai, though they don't show the route on the webpage?

But anyway, there are plenty of bor kor sor buses (http://www.transport.co.th/999_timebusnorth48.html) in different classes each day. Apparently 12, not counting third class. Departing morning (7-8 am), and afternoon-evening (16-21.30).

(Note: in addition, buses ending in Chiang Saen and Mae Sai should also stop in Chiang Rai.)

From where? Mor Chit bus terminal of course. Best way to get there? Probably by subway to Kamphaeng Phet Station (supposed you don't have too much luggage), then continue about 1.5 km by motorbike or taxi from in front of the subway exit. The standard procedure in BKK is simply to go to Mor Chit and buy a ticket for the next bus. Unless it's a long holiday, you won't have a major problem to leave within one hour. Never ever made a reservation for any bus, and don't know if it's possible at all. Well, should be, but then I don't think they'll speak English.

[pong]

this time nrc is a bit out of date;
1.NO BoKoSo does run these buses, but SEVERAL private companies. There will be FAR more as just those 12 in fact any 365 days. there is No real need to prebook, simply go to the Mochit, aim to arr around 19.00/19.30 for overnight. Note that there are ALSO better private companies just OUT of that giant terminal. Nakornchai Air (google it, it has a website and advertises with online bookings, but my bet is you need a THAI bank account!). taxidrivers should know, and you then should know enough Thai to get that message across!
2.well, to correct, BoKoSo DOES run the superdeluxe 999 purple buses (rot nown=sleeper), just 1 or 2/overnight and these are usually fully booked by whealthy persons, by fone. A timelimit to get the ticket wll be given then.

[GWR]

New service to book inter-provincial bus seats at post offices

Thailand Post has joined hands with Thai Ticketmaster.com and The Transport Co, Ltd to launch a new service on Wednesday to allow people to book inter-provincial bus seats in advance at 50 post offices in Bangkok.

The service is aimed to reduce serious traffic at bus terminals prior to long holidays such as the Songkran festival and New Year's Day.

Parisa Pananond, corporate and marketing communications manager of Thailand Post, said the service is in second phase to extend reservations to all main routes since it began last year with only 16 routes.

She added that the new service will allow people has to reserve tickets 60 days before their journey. Clients can inform counter service about the type of ticket they want for which an officer will charge a Bt20 service fee. This service will ensure that people return to their hometowns during important festivals. - The Nation



http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/31/headlines/headlines_30025607.php

[GWR]

Unfortunately, I see no English yet:

www.thairoute.com

E-tickets for buses

Thairoute.com and 11 companies yesterday inked a deal to provide Internet booking for inter-province buses around the country.

Managing director Chaiyot Kotchapan said the Phuket-based company's test runs for the e-booking service had become popular.

"There was an increase of e-booking by 200 to 300 per cent a month. It's expected that after we officially open the service in May, it will attract more customers," he said.

The 11 companies are Counter Services, Siam First Tour, Sahapan Roi Et Tour, Praya Tour, Sri Trung Tour, Indara Tour, Khon Kaen Tour, Easy Post and Services, Krung Thai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikornbank.

Passengers can book bus tickets though a 24-hour call centre on (02) 269 6999 or via the Internet at www.thairoute.com. They can pay for tickets at payment points, ATM machines, Easy Post and TOT customer centres nationwide.

"We expect that the modern system will help customers to make their travelling plans and ensure they have seats without going to any bus stations," Chaiyot said.

The company also plans to extend its e-booking service to cover train and air travel.

Thairoute.com has invested Bt20 million in software but expects to get a return from tour agents joining the scheme and passengers' fees.

It now has six tour companies as its business allies, covering bus routes to the South, North and Northeast with 200 buses per day.


Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation



http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/31/business/business_30030722.php

[GWR]

Court allows bus fare hikes


(BangkokPost.com) - The Supreme Administrative Court ended the Administrative Court's protection that froze fares on private buses as a result of rising oil price Wednesday.

Fares are due to hike Thursday.

Passengers on private non-airconditioned buses will pay 1.50 baht more; one baht extra on minibuses, airconditioned buses and songtaew (converted pickups); and three satang per kilometre extra on inter-provincial buses.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=128141