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Last Sunday, the Siamerican Wanderer got his first taste of Bangkok’s new southern bus terminal, located not so far from its old location (Pin Kaew), now on ฺBorom Ratchani road ถนนบรมราชชนนี, near Putamontoan Sai 1 road ถนนพุืทธมณฑลสาย ๑ . Despite being annoyed that the transportation folks in charge in this megapolis still haven’t made initiative to centralize all the chaos with one major terminal (rather than three different ones on different sides of the city), the Wanderer was impressed with the quality and modern feel of the new Southern terminal. So if you’re planning to venture to Thailand’s beautiful southern provinces via bus, you can look forward to the first part–getting tickets and the pleasant Bkk exodus that should follow!

The Wanderer had previously passed the terminal on several occasions a few months back going back to Samut Songkhram from Bangkok, but was told it hadn’t yet opened. On word from a friend who came to see the Siamerican in Phetchaburi city a few weeks ago for the Loy Kratong festival, the new terminal was finally open as he had to commute from there. ‘So big and modern’ was what was going along in the grape vine. With a trip to Phuket scheduled for December 18, it was finally time to head in to reserve some tickets.

In comparison to the old bus terminal (previously referred to as Sai Dtai Mai, which its newer predescor takes over such name), the new Southern (third Southern bus terminal of Bangkok) is a bus station utopia. No more rats scurrying your feet and dodging taxis as well as outgoing and incoming buses.

Unless the Siamerican missed something, there were three levels in the main building. One enters the building from its north side and sees a few shops, 7-11 etc. and perceeds to the long escalator which brings one to the second level, where all the booths of various travel-tour-bus companies sell same day and advance tickets to the various southern and western-central provinces and destinations. There’s also another 7-11 and other small time commerce shops selling cds, cell phones, and clothes. The top floor is where the food court is–a typical Thai style coupon exchange food court with Thai, Chinese, and some Korean rice dishes, noodles, and soup.

The bus boarding terminal area is a restricted area for non-passengers, somewhat like airports with security guards checking tickets before letting passengers proceed. While this is a good idea adding a little extra sense of security, it was inconvenient having to walj all the way back to the normal building to buy a water. Perhaps they should let atleast one vendor in the bus boarding area.

Well, unless you have an honest taxi driver who actually knows the way, don’t be surprised at the excess time and fare it may initially cost to get there–so leave as early as possible, especially if you are boarding an evening/night bus, as you should always factor in rush hour traffic! Problem is if you approach the bus terminal from the west side (i.e. coming from putamontoan / kanchanapisek roads) instead of east side (coming from Krung Thon bridge / jarun Sanitwong / pin klaew roads) than you’ll end up having to back track several kilometers just to make a simple u-turn to be on the right side of Brom Ratchani road (the terminal is on the south side of road), otherwise you can take bus numbers 28, 30, 40, 66, 507, and 511 among others, but please check the bus before boarding to be sure.

From outside, everything looks orderly–the taxi queue and pedestrians entering and exiting…But where are all the busses??? In the back of course.

In the ticketing booth level, it resembles much more an airport atmosphere

Typical Thai food court area with a vast selection of Chinese, Thai, and Korean rice and noodle dishes–and of course a regular news channel.

For more information, contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal : Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199

Or for more pictures and other info / reviews in Thai and English regarding the bus terminal, also see News abut the new Southern Bus terminal and pictures and review in Thai of Southern bus terminal in Thai language,

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