Bangkok: "Siripong" inspects Mochit 2 bus terminal during Songkran 2026, instructs the Bus Terminal Authority to provide extra buses and ensure no passengers are stranded. "Siripong" inspects the readiness of "Mochit 2 Bus Terminal" to facilitate public travel home for Songkran, emphasizing that the Bus Terminal Authority (BTA) must provide sufficient buses, staff, terminal facilities, and fuel to ensure safe arrival at their destinations.

According to Thai News Agency, yesterday, Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, inspected the readiness of transportation services to ensure convenience and safety for the public during the Songkran Festival 2026. He was welcomed by Mr. Atthawit Rakchamroon, Managing Director of the Transport Company Limited (BKS), and other BKS executives at the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) or Mochit 2.

Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat revealed that the government prioritizes the safety of public travel, especially during the Songkran festival in 2026, which includes a five-day long weekend from April 11-15, 2026. Therefore, he conducted on-site inspections of readiness before the long Songkran holiday, including the passenger terminal hall, bus departure platforms, ticket counters, and inspected buses operating at Platform 2. He also interviewed passengers using the Mochit 2 Bus Terminal and personally tested the alcohol testing device.

Instructions have been given to the Bus Terminal Company (BKT) to manage bus services to ensure sufficient numbers of buses to meet public demand, preventing any stranded passengers. BKT has also been tasked with integrating and implementing plans to facilitate and ensure the safety of public travel during the Songkran festival in 2026, aiming to reduce accidents, fatalities, and injuries on the Ministry of Transport's road network. Furthermore, bus operators are to be supervised to set fares in accordance with the Department of Land Transport's (DLT) regulations, and to ensure sufficient fuel stations and reserves, particularly along routes served by BKT and partner buses, covering both origin and destination points, to guarantee convenient, safe, and continuous travel for the public throughout the festival.

Regarding travel arrangements, people are gradually returning to their hometowns. Today, the Bus Terminal Authority (BTA) anticipates that approximately 110,000 people will travel by public transport from Bangkok to other provinces, using over 6,300 bus trips (both BTA and privately operated buses).

For the period of April 9-12, 2026, it is expected that approximately 140,000 to 180,000 people will travel using over 7,000 to 8,000 bus trips (both government-owned and privately operated buses). In addition, 1,200 non-scheduled buses (with license plate number 30) or supplementary buses will be prepared to ensure sufficient capacity, prevent passenger delays, and ensure safe arrival at their destinations.