BANGKOK, Thailand – The Songkran holiday travel rush is in full swing as Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal saw a surge of passengers on April 11, with over 152,000 people traveling in and out of Bangkok. The Transport Company Limited (BorKorSor) anticipates around 120,000 passengers will travel on Saturday, the official start of the Songkran holiday period.
Chatchawan Pornamorntham, Acting President of the Transport Company, revealed that on April 11, 106,337 people departed from Bangkok and 46,006 returned, totaling 152,343 travelers. A combined 7,652 bus trips (both outbound and inbound) were operated using BorKorSor buses, joint-service vehicles, and vans—surpassing the original estimate by over 22,000 passengers, which had forecasted around 130,000.
Despite the higher-than-expected numbers, the Transport Company successfully managed the traffic flow, ensuring no passengers were left stranded. For April 12, approximately 5,000 trips are scheduled, including 1,000 extra buses to meet the travel demand as more people head back to their hometowns at the start of the national holiday.
To enhance safety during this busy period, strict measures have been implemented. All buses are equipped with front-facing CCTV cameras to monitor road activity and assist in emergencies.
Operators are required to inspect the vehicle condition thoroughly—emergency exits, hammers, fire extinguishers, seat belts—and ensure drivers are well-rested, follow traffic rules, and test negative for drugs and alcohol. These steps are designed to assure passengers of a safe, reliable journey using Thailand’s public transport system.
