The New Southern Bus Terminal + Intercity buses.

On Sunday afternoon I took a ride out to see the new southern bus terminal. This terminal is for most intercity buses head to the west and south of Bangkok. Some of the destinations include: Nakhon Pathom, Hua Hin, Phuket, Yala and Hat Yai. This new terminal is about 10 km further out of Bangkok to the west of the old bus terminal at Pink Lao. This is the not the 1^st time that this terminal has been moved. The new southern bus terminal opened in December 2007.

This terminal is much bigger than the old one thus has much more space. I estimate it to be about half the size of the mega Mochit 2 bus terminal. However, this terminal is built partly like an airport and partly like a shopping centre. Inside the terminal there are restaurants and shops that include KFC, chemist and a few banks. There are hundreds of ticket counters one for each route and each class of bus.

This is a movie taken in the bus area of the new southern bus terminal. It shows the general view plus some double deck intercity buses.

1. This is a picture of the city bus stop outside the front of the new bus terminal.

2. This is a general view of the air-conditioned waiting/ticketing area of the bus terminal. This same floor has the shopping center and banks.

3. This is an image of the 2^nd and 3^rd class bus ticket counters.

4. This is an image of the 1^st and VIP class bus ticket counters.

5. This is the only place in Thailand that has electronic bus departure screens that show the next bus out. The code section is the bus route number. Route that has 63 uses an old number as most intercity routes are now 9XX numbers.

6. This is an image of the bus level waiting area. This is outdoors so it can get quite hot. There are about 90 bus platforms at this new bus terminal.

7. This shows the general view from the roadway between the main platforms (1-75) and the extension platforms (76 – 90). There is a lot more space than the old terminal plus this terminal has concrete roadways not dirt.

This next section shows a series of different intercity buses that use the terminal. I don’t know a lot about the types and models of these buses. If anyone does know them please post a comment stating what type of bus it is with the picture number. Note: All buses shown are air conditioned some better than others.

8. This is a picture of a 1^st class bus to Narathiwat in the deep south of Thailand. Also a lot of these buses carry parcels traffic as well as passengers. (2+2 seating)

9. This is a 1^st class Scania double deck intercity bus heading to Yala and the Malaysian border in the south of Thailand. (2+2 seating)

10. This is a 1^st class single deck intercity bus to Danchang in the south. Make unknown. (2+2 seating)

11. This is a 1^st class semi double deck intercity bus to Phuket. Make unknown. (2+2 seating)

12. This is a 32 seat VIP semi double deck intercity bus to Hat Yai and Dannok in the deep south. This bus is operated by a private company as shown by the yellow stripe. The seating of this bus is (1+2). Make unknown.

13. This is a Scania VIP double deck intercity bus to Hat Yai. This bus has 2+2 seating. This is also operated by a private company.

14. This is an older Merc single deck 2^nd class intercity bus used on shorter trips. This bus operates on intercity route 69.

15. This is a group of older 2^nd class intercity buses using the extension platforms as a bus layover. Most of the bus types are unknown.

16. This is a group of 1^st class intercity buses on the main terminal side under the link bridge. One of these routes goes to Ratchaburi about 2 to 3 hours away. Most of the bus types are unknown.

17. This is a side view of an older Merc 2^nd class intercity bus heading to Kanchaburi in the west. Bus number (second class) 81-11.

18. This is the driver’s cab of a Scania double deck intercity bus.

19. This is the interior of a scania double deck intercity bus. Note: this is a VIP bus with 2+2 seating. The blue towels are to keep you warm on the long 16 hour trip to hat yai.

20. This is a rear shot of the semi double deck and double deck Scania buses. They appear the same height but one is shorter.

21. This is a shot of an older 2^nd class intercity bus to Prachap Khri khan. The driver had opened up all the doors and panels for ventilation.

22. This is an inside shot of the same 2^nd class bus.

23. This is a merc O404 2^nd class intercity bus. Heading to Phanganga in the south.

This next section of images where taken on the way back from southern bus terminal.

24. This is a poor quality image of one of the new yellow city buses operated by “BMTA” and “City Bus” I just spotted it as it was driving off from the city bus terminal in front of the southern bus terminal.

25. This is another new yellow city bus heading into the city on the other side of the main road taken at southern bus terminal. Both this bus and the one before operate on Route 539: Om Yai to Victory Monument. This is not a good image of it. These yellow buses are very well air conditioned and have a lower floor than normal buses but it still has one step inside the door.

26. This is a Route 127: Bang Bua Thong to Arun Amarin Bridge. Bus Number 127-19. This is an old merc non aircond bus. Taken at the southern bus terminal this bus is heading to Bang Bua Thong. Note: Behind this bus is Route 146 the bus I took home.

I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.