Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak)

Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) หมอชิตใหม่, หมอชิต 2
General information
Other names	New Mochit, Mochit 2
Location	Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok Thailand
Coordinates	13°48′50″N 100°32′59″E / 13.8138609°N 100.5496779°E / 13.8138609; 100.5496779
Owned by	Department of Land Transport (Thailand), Ministry of Transport (Thailand)
Bus routes	Northern, Central, Esan
Bus operators	The Transport Company, Ltd.
Connections	BMTA bus route number 3, 16, 49, 77, 96, 104, 134, 136, 138, 145, 157, 170, 509, 517, 529, and 536
Construction
Parking	Yes
Accessible	Yes
History
Opened	8 April 1998
Previous names	New Southern Bus Terminal
Location

Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), also known as Mo Chit 2 (Thai: หมอชิต 2) or New Mo Chit, is a major hub for long-distance bus travel in Greater Bangkok. Managed by The Transport Company, Ltd., (TCL), it's the main spot for those who are traveling by bus to and from the northern and northeastern provinces. Replacing the old Mochit Station, Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) was built to serve the changes of the BTS Skytrain depot and the increase in transportation. It was opened on April 8, 1998. However, there would be a move returning to the old Mochit Station due to the expansion of the Bang sue Central Station.

Located on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in Chatuchak District, near Queen Sirikit Park, The terminal can be reached by the nearest stations being Mochit BTS station and Chatuchak MRT station. These allow people or tourists to travel by Taxis, local buses, motorcycle taxis, or on foot.

Bangkok Bus Terminal has a total area of around 100,000 square meters (about the area of Chicago's Millennium Park). The terminal can handle over 150,000 passengers monthly and about 5,000 dailies. There are arrival and departures terminals, divided into 4 levels. In the terminal, it has waiting areas, food courts, shops, and more, with air conditioning.

The terminal offers a variety of routes to Thailand and other countries.

History

The head of the ministry of transport (พันเอกวินัย สมพงษ์) and Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya (Thai: กฤษฎา อรุณวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา) asked for cooperation from Department of Land Transport (DLT) and The Transport Company Limited to refurbish the old Mochit station as a parking lot and Train maintenance workshop for BTS Skytrain.^[1]

As Bangkok grew and along with it public transit services, the old Mochit station also began to need improvement and development in the form of a new bus station, resulting in the creation of a new Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak).

On 8 April 1998, The Transport Company Limited introduced the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), known as Mochit 2, located at 999 Kampaengphet 2 Road, Chatuchak. The Transport Company Limited rented the area from the owner State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Their Headquarters and passenger terminal moved to a massive 4-story, 27,000-square-meter building, designed for passenger safety and convenience.^[2]

Conflicts

On June 2, 2017, during a meeting for the construction project of the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, it was resolved that The Transport Company Limited (Thailand) would relocate the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) back to its original location. According to the policy and plan of the Ministry of Transport, Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) area must be returned to State Railway of Thailand by 2026 in order to develop the area into a smart city under the Phaholyothin Transportation Center project.^[3] Therefore, the bus terminal will have to move to the Treasury Department's lease area near the BTS maintenance center (the Old mochit).^[3]

However, the Board of Directors and The Transport Company's manager had an agreement that the use of the current area is more appropriate. This decision was based on the convenience for travelers to catch a bus from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus garage and the ease of connecting with the shuttle bus system to Bang Sue Central Station, which will serve as the center of the suburban train system, Skytrain, and high-speed train system in the future.^[3]

Location

Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak)’s location is in Chatuchak District. The easy ways to go to the terminal are by Transit Bus, BTS (The Bangkok Mass Transit System), MRT (Mass Rapid Transit).

The nearest BTS and MRT stations are:

• Mochit BTS Station (Exit number 1 and number 2)
• Chatuchak Park MRT Station (Exit number 1, number 2, and number 3)^[4]

Travelling from Mochit BTS Station or Chatuchak Park MRT station to Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) can be accomplished by Taxis, local buses, motorcycle taxi or walking. It is approximately 2 kilometers far from both stations. For local buses that pass the stations, there are bus route number 3 and 77, at Chatuchak park side, and number 3, 5, 16, 49, 96, 104, 134, 136, 138, 145, 204, and 529 at parking lot side that people can catch to the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak).

To travel by local buses only, Bus route number 3, 5, 16, 49, 77, 96, 104, 134, 136, 138, 145, 204, 157, 170, 509, 517, 529, 536 and A1 are the available buses that passed the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) directly. Passenger or tourists don't have to transfer to another bus, BTS, or MRT.

Nearby places

As in Chatuchak District, there are many popular activities for visitors and locals. Flea & Street Markets at Chatuchak Market are one of the most popular places. Visitors can shop for clothing, food, and various items, dine at restaurants or street food stalls, order customized desserts relax in designated areas, and even enjoy special events like the Chatuchak Weekend Market. J.J mall, Union mall, and Central Ladprao are the shopping centers near the bus terminal. These shopping centers are very popular with the local population.

Layout & Services

Layout

Bangkok Bus Terminal has a total area of 116,368 square meters. Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) has distinct sections for arrivals and departures, surrounded by both sides of Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. It is located adjacent to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) compound, behind the Queen Sirikit Park. The passenger terminal is divided into 4 levels according to routes: Floors 1, 2, 3, and 4. First floor is for Northern, Central, and Eastern Thailand ticket booth and travelling. Second and fourth floor is the Transport Company Limited's office. Third Floor is for Northern Eastern Thailand or Isan ticket booth and travelling.

The building is equipped with air conditioning throughout and utilizes a Flow-Through passenger ticket distribution system, allowing passengers to exit directly. There are 4 elevators and 2 sets of stairs, along with emergency fire escape staircases. The taxi service operates with three pickup points for hired taxis: One for arrivals and two for departures, ensuring 24-hour security.

Services

Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) is an air-conditioned bus station with a waiting area. The central area of the waiting zone features an information booth that can guide you to the appropriate ticket counters and provide details on schedules and platforms.^[5] There are food courts and shops on both the first and third floors selling food, snacks, and beverages. The ticket counters are on the first floor serving northern routes, while the third-floor counters take care of Northern Eastern Thailand and long-distance travel. Luggage storage is also on the third floor near the food court entrance serving from 5 a.m to 10 p.m.^[6] Additionally, there are multiple 7-Eleven convenience stores and a Mini Mart on the first floor, along with a small shop and massage & spa center close to the departure area for added convenience.

References