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In Bangkok, there are several kinds of bus to be
used for public transportation.
Regular cream-red bus
Regular bus
Regular buses' color is cream-red. It is a cheap way to travel through Bangkok but they are always
full especially at rush working hours.
There is no air conditioning inside regular bus but all windows are opened.
Being in a regular bus (รถเมล์แดง) during a traffic jam in April, the hottest month
in Thailand, is a tough experience due to heat and fumes.
Inside a regular bus
From time to time, regular cream-red buses are free in Bangkok, following important
events such as new prime minister appointment.
Regular cream-red bus fee is 8 THB.
Micro bus
These small air conditioning buses travel
on special bus routes. Passengers can watch Micro Bus TV channel or
read newspapers. The ticket is sold 30 Baht.
It was too expensive for most Thai people.
So in December 1998, the company was
in huge debt. In 1999, Micro-bus were
still running but on lesser lanes.
Air-conditioned bus
Air-conditioned bus in Bangkok
Air-conditioned buses fee is of course higher than regular buses. It can be up to 25 THB.
The price for air-conditioned bus
(รถแอร์) depends on the distance.
Air-conditioned bus in Bangkok
Air-conditioned buses in Bangkok are orange, yellow, blue & white color.
The pink bus is a regular bus with no air conditioning.
Regular green bus
Regular green bus in Bangkok
In a bus, seats in the back are reserved for monks. If a woman is sitting,
she should let go her seat because a woman cannot touch a monk.
Inside regular green bus in Bangkok
Such regular green bus (รถเมล์เขียว) can stop almost anywhere
whenever a passenger wishes to get off.
Fare
Fare
In 2008 due to increasing oil prices,
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's regular cream-red bus fare hit up to 8.50 THB and the private
blue bus fare hit up to 10 THB.
Many bus lines have new or old itinerary. They are called
old road ("SAI KAO" - สายเก่า) or new road
("SAI MAI" - สายใหม่).
Fare
Security is not always utmost as some buses may have a fissure on
the windshield or the driver can be seen talking over his mobile phone...
Vans
Vans
There are also vans (รถตู้) going from Bangkok
to surrounding cities. They can transport 16 passengers. One of their terminus is located near
Victory monument. Prices are reasonable, i.e. a trip to Nakhon Pathom costs 60 baht.
Vans
Those small vans are fast, convenient and leave as soon as they are full.
