File photo for reference only

 

State-owned Transport Co Ltd has launched a trial of new special express bus services aimed at slashing travel times between Bangkok and the popular destinations of Chiang Mai and Phuket. This initiative, starting today and running until 8th March, represents a significant shift from traditional routes by reducing the number of stops and offering onboard meals instead of breaks at roadside eateries.

 

The company, commonly known as Bor Kor Sor, aims to make long-distance travel more efficient, according to its president, Attawit Rakjamroon. Passengers will benefit from shorter journey times and a more streamlined experience, which the company hopes will enhance overall satisfaction.

 

On the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, the express service reduces travel time from the usual 11 hours to just 9 hours and 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the express service to Phuket trims the trip from 13 hours down to 12. These reductions are achieved by cutting out certain pick-up and drop-off points and serving meals directly on the bus.

 

The Bangkok-Chiang Mai express ticket is priced at 594 Thai Baht, and expediently offers two round trips each day. Buses depart from the Bangkok Bus Terminal, also known as Mo Chit 2, at 8pm and leave Chiang Mai Bus Terminal for the return journey at 6:30pm.

 

Similarly, the Bangkok-Phuket service is priced at 1,112 Thai Baht, with two round trips available every day. Departures from Bangkok are at 5:25pm, with return trips leaving Phuket Bus Terminal at 4:30pm.

 

This streamlined service is expected to be popular with travellers seeking to maximise their time in Chiang Mai and Phuket, two of Thailand's most visited destinations. The change reflects a broader trend towards increasing the convenience of intercity travel, recognising passengers’ desire to spend less time on the road.

 

By integrating meal services onboard, passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience without the interruptions of extended roadside stops, allowing them to reach their destinations faster and with greater comfort. This move could set a new standard for long-distance bus travel in the region, offering a competitive edge against other modes of transportation.

 

The trial will assess customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, and if successful, may lead to a permanent service. It represents a proactive response by Bor Kor Sor to evolving passenger needs, with an emphasis on speed, convenience, and customer care.

 

As the trial progresses, feedback from passengers will be crucial in determining the future of these express routes, potentially influencing further innovations in Thailand's intercity transportation. Travellers looking for efficient and comfortable travel options are encouraged to take advantage of this trial period, providing an opportunity to experience an enhanced bus service that could soon become a staple of travel across the country.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-11

 

 

2 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

the Bangkok-Chiang Mai express ticket is priced at 594 Thai Baht,

That seems like a bargain to me  for such a long distance  however sitting for all that time might be a problem if the chair is not so comfortable  which I find they generally are not after a few hours.

Hopefully there are toilets and more than one driver.

9 and a half hours on a bus...no thanks

6 minutes ago, hunkidori said:

9 and a half hours on a bus...no thanks

 

I worry more about a driver doing that trip in 9 and a half hour.

 

On a side note, I have done that trip once, about 20 years ago, and at the bus station they claimed a particular bus would do the trip in an hour less than the others.

I wish I hadn't listened to them, because I sat right behind the driver, and by the time we arrived in Bangkok I was suicidal.

with an emphasis on speed, convenience   🤣

 

Ummm why not fly ?

11 hours ago, hunkidori said:

9 and a half hours on a bus...no thanks

Usually 12hrs in times past.....these buses must go faster:)

11 hours ago, hunkidori said:

9 and a half hours on a bus...no thanks

12 hours to Phuket.

That must be fun.

Total time from our district town with changing bus about 20 hours or so.

I once took a bus to Pattaya.

About 560 km in 11! hours.

Countless stops. Dubious 4th level roads to save toll(?).

Once and never again.

That's good. An overnight journey to get some sleep.

11 hours ago, Jim Mac said:

Hopefully there are toilets and more than one driver.

I have no doubt yes to both ....however the toilet (singular) is quite an experience !!

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

State-owned Transport Co Ltd has launched a trial of new special express bus services aimed at slashing travel times between Bangkok and the popular destinations of Chiang Mai and Phuket. This initiative, starting today and running until 8th March, represents a significant shift from traditional routes by reducing the number of stops and offering onboard meals instead of breaks at roadside eateries.

And a driver with a lead foot?

Changed my mind. Bus B1112. Fly B1017.

6 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

Changed my mind. Bus B1112. Fly B1017.

 if you are one of the lucky 8 persons that get those "special deals" ☹️

Yes, even Nok Air would be a better bet than handing the care of your life to a driver of an overnight bus (or even a daytime bus for that matter).

Especially if you have ever been the "prisoner" of a driver who speeds like a bat out of hell to make up lost time as a result of  long crawls between Bkk and Hua Hin.

I did two long overnight bus journeys last week. 1 in Laos (Bukhao/Chiang Khong) to Luang Prabang,15 hours on a sleeper bus,(journey from hell, would have been better in the back of a Bedford 4 ton army truck) and then Bangkok to Chiang Rai - 12 hours (Nakhon Chai Air), clean, smooth, comfortable, two drivers who changed over every 3 hours or so, reasonable food and the "hostess" had smashing legs!

 

If anyone suggests taking a "sleeper bus" in Laos, just don't! The picture on the websites look decent, reality is ancient vehicles, windows sealed with (leaky) black mastic, (mind you if you have a bottom bunk, sleeping on the floor you can't see the windows anyway), thin dirty vinyl mattress on wooden planks, stinks of pee, appalling bumpy roads...

I tried the Bangkok - Chiang Mai run once. Never again.

 

The lady conductor looked like she was a throwback to the German women who ran the concentration camps in WWII, and acted that way. By the time we had got halfway, the toilet was uninhabitable.

 

The bus stopped at a gas station for the driver to relieve himself. She told everyone to stay in their seats. There was an open rebellion among the passengers. She was swept aside by a stampede of Thais.

The good news is ...every passenger gets gets a free life insurance policy and a coupon to cover there funeral costs.

43 minutes ago, JAG said:

and the "hostess" had smashing legs!

 

Ladyboy perhaps, most of them are

4 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Ladyboy perhaps, most of them are

I don't think so, but then I am not really an expert on the matter...

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

I once took a bus to Pattaya.

From where exactly? 

Always a red flag when you see news about slashing times on travel by fewer break stops. Surprised no one has mentioned this or its even suggested in the OP. Nothing about driver hours or rotations and rest stops to ensure passenger safety at all, just emphasizing express speeds where journeys are already dangerous and part of a cutthroat business is a recipe for another falling asleep at the wheel tragedy.

Major Safety Concerns

Driver Fatigue Management: The story mentions reducing an 11-hour journey to 9.5 hours and a 13-hour journey to 12 hours, but there's no mention of how driver fatigue will be managed on these extended routes. Based on international standards I mentioned earlier, drivers should have mandatory breaks every 4-5 hours or driver changes on such long journeys.

Rest Break Elimination: The service explicitly eliminates "breaks at roadside eateries" in favor of onboard meals. While this saves time, it raises questions about whether drivers are still getting the required rest periods for safety, or if passengers have opportunities to stretch and move around during what are still very long journeys.
Overnight Driving: The Bangkok-Chiang Mai service departs at 8pm, meaning significant portions of these 9.5-hour journeys occur during high-risk nighttime hours (especially the critical midnight-6am window when fatigue-related accidents peak).

What's Missing from the Story

No mention of driver rotation policies
No discussion of mandatory rest breaks for drivers
No reference to compliance with Thailand's commercial driving regulations
No mention of safety protocols for extended overnight travel
No discussion of passenger safety during continuous travel without stops

 

Questions This Raises
How can they reduce journey times while maintaining safety standards? Are they using multiple drivers per bus? Are they still providing adequate rest breaks that just aren't mentioned in the marketing-focused story?
The emphasis on "efficiency," "speed," and "convenience" without any mention of safety protocols is particularly concerning for services of this duration. Passengers should inquire about these safety measures before booking, especially given the international standards for driver rest periods on long-haul routes.

2 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Driver Fatigue Management: The story mentions reducing an 11-hour journey to 9.5 hours and a 13-hour journey to 12 hours, but there's no mention of how driver fatigue will be managed on these extended routes. Based on international standards I mentioned earlier, drivers should have mandatory breaks every 4-5 hours or driver changes on such long journeys.

They carry two drivers, and on these routes the silly food stops will be cut out and meals will be served on the coach. 

always buses and no invest in comfortable trains 

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

with an emphasis on speed, convenience   🤣

 

Ummm why not fly ?

After taking the bus, you may be getting your own set of wings

14 hours ago, hunkidori said:

9 and a half hours on a bus...no thanks

No idea if stiil runs but there used to be CM-BKK bus that picked up in the backpacker area near Thapae gate and not  bus station. Must have been cheaper.  One could smell the odour of unwashed Hippy from 100 metres away.

I guess is is because some of us can actually afford a $50 flight, but that bus ride sounds terrible.   I guess from BKK to Pattaya it is ok, but a 10 hour bus ride?  All those people with their phones dinging, talking out loudly, laughing and giggling at some movie, farting and belching, no freedom to stop when you want, a total annoying bore.  No thanks.

50 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I guess is is because some of us can actually afford a $50 flight, but that bus ride sounds terrible.   I guess from BKK to Pattaya it is ok, but a 10 hour bus ride?  All those people with their phones dinging, talking out loudly, laughing and giggling at some movie, farting and belching, no freedom to stop when you want, a total annoying bore.  No thanks.

Sounds a bit like a Nok Air flight!

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

new special express bus services aimed at slashing travel times between Bangkok and the popular destinations of Chiang Mai and Phuket.

 

Why the picture of a Bangkok - Saraburi bus?

No thank you.  Udorn BKK almost killed me.  Air Asia see you in November.