BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s main northern bus hub at Mo Chit Bus Terminal is seeing a steady surge in travelers heading home for the Songkran holiday, with authorities forecasting a major spike in passenger numbers driven in part by rising fuel prices.
Officials from the state-run Transport Company Limited (Bor Kor Sor) estimate that passenger traffic this year will increase by 5–10% compared to last year, as more people switch to public transport instead of private cars due to higher fuel costs. The peak is expected on April 10, when up to 180,000 passengers are forecast to pass through the terminal—well above the usual daily average of around 120,000.
Throughout the day, crowds have been gathering at Mo Chit, buying tickets and waiting to board long-distance buses to provinces across the country. Among them are migrant workers from Laos, using the holiday break to return home. Many face long journeys via Ubon Ratchathani’s Chong Mek border checkpoint before continuing onward, with total travel times reaching nearly 20 hours.
To cope with the surge, Bor Kor Sor has deployed more than 8,000 buses, including both company-operated and affiliated services, to ensure sufficient capacity between April 9–12. Authorities say they are confident no passengers will be left stranded, while fares remain fixed despite increased demand.
Safety measures have also been tightened. All buses and drivers must pass strict inspections before departure, including vehicle checks and driver readiness assessments. In cooperation with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, additional screening points have been set up to test drivers for drugs and stimulants.
Looking ahead to the return journey, transport officials are coordinating with provincial offices to ensure enough buses are available nationwide. Extra taxis and motorcycle taxis will also be arranged at terminals to ease congestion.
Meanwhile, the Department of Land Transport has launched a nationwide road safety campaign for Songkran, including a temporary passenger protection hotline (1548) to handle complaints and prevent overcharging, helping ensure safe travel during Thailand’s busiest holiday period. (TNA)
