Remembering when I lived in Thailand in the 1990s there was an excellent and cheap government bus service. It went to every corner of the country and provided a perfectly good service.

Nowadays it seems the mini bus mafia and private bus companies are everywhere and its is difficult to find the good old government busses.

Last year, coming up from Hat Yai to Surat Thani I was more or less forced to take a private minivan as no one in the bus station would admit to there being a government bus. I later found out there were many of them but the mini bus mafia forces them to stay quiet.

I don,t like being lied to and tricked by these mafia people and I hate their little death trap sardine cans usually piloted by some nutter methed out of his head.

Anyone shed any light on the matter?

It's called "The Transport Co. Ltd" and it's still in business.

"The Transport Co. Ltd. is a state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport and offers bus services between Bangkok and various provinces. The company has a professional staff and prioritizes customer service and is known to be reliable, safe, and comfortable."

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thai-transport-company-rolls-out-euro-5-bus-fleet-to-upgrade-nationwide-services-518388

https://transport.co.th/home/en/home-en/

6 hours ago, Usnh said:

Remembering when I lived in Thailand in the 1990s there was an excellent and cheap government bus service. It went to every corner of the country and provided a perfectly good service.

Nowadays it seems the mini bus mafia and private bus companies are everywhere and its is difficult to find the good old government busses.

Last year, coming up from Hat Yai to Surat Thani I was more or less forced to take a private minivan as no one in the bus station would admit to there being a government bus. I later found out there were many of them but the mini bus mafia forces them to stay quiet.

I don,t like being lied to and tricked by these mafia people and I hate their little death trap sardine cans usually piloted by some nutter methed out of his head.

Anyone shed any light on the matter?

You should have taken the train. Buses are not safe or fun. Downright dodgy.