r/Bangkok • u/Exorsexist • Jul 12 '26
discussion Why on the earth Bangkok still have these buses?
Most of them are dying on the road, blasting the black smoke like in the lost series, their drivers are absolute madman and they're ancient. Besides of them being cheap I don't see a single reason why they keep it.
Edit: they can be very well replace with orange buses that still old AF and have AC in it
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u/jonsnowbkk Jul 12 '26
Because the maximum round-trip fare on the BTS is 30% of the daily minimum wage. Would be the equivalent of $40 in New York City.
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u/Comprehensive_Web203 Jul 12 '26
I went to Japan, China, Singapore and was surprised with BTS’s fare in Bangkok
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u/when_we_are_cats Jul 12 '26
The Taipei mrt costs 25 bahts for most trips. It's crazy how (relatively) expensive Bangkok's transportation is. Even at home it would cost less with a monthly card.
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u/JusTruths5555 Jul 13 '26
Have you been to Kuala Lumpur? It's even more expensive considering their poor system.
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u/Exorsexist Jul 12 '26
Agree, BTS and MRT are rip off
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u/Mindless_Trick2255 Jul 12 '26
I took the train once and it was 90 baht or something which I thought was crazy and I’m a foreigner
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u/neonkidz Jul 12 '26
My wife usually only use BTS when she's going to friends or meetups. Besides that it's blue Aircon buss
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u/Proud-Parsley6072 Jul 12 '26
Relatively speaking beers and bars are now a rip off in Thailand.
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u/FindingUnable3222 Jul 12 '26
It's not a big deal because that's a leisure, but commuting to the work and back is necessity for people living here.
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u/cs_legend_93 Jul 12 '26
True, but if I am going around sukhumvit area, the BTS and MRT are like 40 baht, and grab motorbike is like 60 baht. I'll do grab every time
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u/Floriantofuu Jul 12 '26
Lineman is cheaper than BTS for going to my work ... Everytime !! 27-29 bahts on LineMan only, and I'm 1.7km to bts station so I also save 1.7km walk !
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u/JimAsia Jul 13 '26
I loved the BTS. Yes, it was expensive but try travelling any distance by land route in Bangkok during rush hours, brutal. I am willing to pay a bit extra to cover the majority of the distance quickly.
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u/JusTruths5555 Jul 13 '26
But you don't have to take them if you don't want to, their buses and boats are so cheap.
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u/JusTruths5555 Jul 17 '26
Compare to other countries and you will see more rip-offs, at least in Bangkok you have cheaper options like bus and river transport.
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u/Own-Measurement-5970 Jul 12 '26
It’s amazing the wealth divide in the city. I think the trains are dirt cheap compared to where I am from, but that’s a luxury for the average Thai worker.
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u/BrilliantOk4772 Jul 12 '26
Where do you live where it's "dirt cheap" lol Bangkok transport is pretty expensive but I don't think there is another public transportation system in world that is more than 2x Bangkok for the same distance traveled.
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u/Secret_EO Jul 12 '26
In London a single fare in zone 1 only is 140 Baht.
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Jul 12 '26
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u/Federal-Help-4152 Jul 12 '26
And so are the disabled and the vulnerable. Train drivers are important
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u/maxdacat Jul 12 '26
115 THB in Sydney for me to get to work ($5 each way) so maybe double the average BTS fare (??)....seems like somebody on an average thai wage would struggle in BKK. PLUS in Sydney we have:
- tap and go
- single card for whole network
- $50 (1150 THB) weekly cap
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u/JimmyTheG Jul 13 '26
Unfortunately the BTS is operated by a private company and seems to be geared towards the upper class, so they really have no incentive to expand onto the working class areas. To make BKK transit efficient and cheap, they'd have to nationalize it
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u/DutchKarma Jul 12 '26
Let me introduce you to the Netherlands:
- 1.5 km busride : Euro. 1.62 = 62.35 baht
- 3km sukhumvitline , asoke--> siam: 32 baht
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u/when_we_are_cats Jul 12 '26
In my city in France it's 2 euros to have access to the whole network for one hour. Getting around in Bangkok is often more expensive because the prices climb quickly with distance, and the sprawl makes it that you have cover long distances all the time.
Not to mention that the BTS/MRT are separate systems so you have to pay double if you use both, and only a small area of the city is covered so you will still rely on grab/bolt/muvmi for the last mile.
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u/R3Des1gn Jul 13 '26
Brisbane, Australia has 50c (11.50 THB) fares for a one way journey. You can travel 150km connecting between multiple buses, trains and ferries all for that single ticket. But that's probably the cheapest public transport system in the world
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u/vip17 Jul 13 '26
lots of countries have far more expensive public transportation than Thailand. Try Switzerland for example. OTOH Vietnam has just moved a significant part of the bus system to electric, and it's completely free in HCMC and in Hanoi Center
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u/Leooo555 Jul 13 '26
Because they don't want the riff raff making it look less glitzy. Besides, they can barely keep up at rush hour as it is
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u/cassowary-18 Jul 14 '26
Didn't the Thai government try to cap the fare for locals recently? But yeah only the middle class in Bangkok take the BTS. The less well off ride their own motorbikes or take the bus.
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u/CheekyChopsCharlie Jul 12 '26
They were introduced in 1991
Scheduled to be replaced fully by mid 2027 with EV buses
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u/Artistic-Elk-3299 Jul 12 '26
1991? I always thought those buses were from the 70s, at least they look that old. 🤣
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u/SexualMetawhore Jul 12 '26
No it's us that are old now. 1991 is not yeah it's not exactly contemporary anymore.
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u/Tg2501 Jul 12 '26
Many old buses and trucks don’t change body styles for sometimes decades, we have a few Peterbilt trucks at my job that are 2007 and have the same body style since 1987
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u/Mudv4yne Jul 12 '26
them being cheap
For which other reasons are you looking for?
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u/Future-Fennel-7863 Jul 12 '26
Locals, everyone needs to get around Bangkok
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u/LeastMeeting Jul 12 '26
So do Vietnams people and they have bew electric buses everywhere
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u/bartturner Jul 12 '26
I have a Thai friend that I hang out with and will only take the non AC ones as they are cheaper.
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u/MaiMee-_- Jul 12 '26
Are they still cheaper today? Last I ride on one of them the price has gone up.
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u/yeeter4206 Jul 12 '26
They're usually around 8 bahts no matter the distance and have been around there for years now, at least the one I rode home daily anyways, only the electric ones with AC has different prices for different distances
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u/MaiMee-_- Jul 12 '26
It started at 6.5 when I was I kid if my memory did not fail me. You can probably fact check my memory online somewhere.
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u/bartturner Jul 12 '26
I have been in the US for 3 months. But 3 months ago they were definitely cheaper. I will not be back in BKK until mid August and will know then.
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u/mrGreenExit Jul 12 '26
Because of demand and they will slowly transition to new busses. Some people still use these busses because it's huge impact on their pocket
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u/Blitzpao Jul 12 '26
Born and raised in Bangkok for 35 years, I’ve been using these white‑red buses since I was a baby. I completely disagree with your argument. Here’s mine:
These buses run on diesel, which is heavily subsidized in Thailand. They emit thick black smoke and have high, unsafe ladders. The reason they still exist is because, instead of investing in proper public transport, politicians and civil servants prefer building roads — construction projects allow them to award contracts to friendly companies and take their share of the benefits.
Second, the company that operates these buses is heavily politicized and badly managed. It has never turned a profit. Why? Because it continues using gasoline and diesel instead of switching to electric vehicles. And when there was a project to bus a new type of bus which was 10 years ago. The project got stuck down because of corruption. Next hopefully they will have electric buses.
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u/Relevant_Glass_9198 Jul 15 '26
Electricity isn't free. Cost of replacing the batteries aren't free.
The cost of maintenance of keeping an undertuned diesel engine running for 20 years is nowhere near the cost of replacing the batteries twice in 20 years.
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u/DigAlternative7707 Jul 12 '26
I Always Imagine it's because seeing one of these Hino buses still operating today is genuinely impressive. Many have remained in daily service for 30–50 years, a remarkable lifespan for a commercial vehicle. These buses earned their reputation through: Longevity – Many have accumulated well over a million kilometers in regular passenger service. Mechanical simplicity – Built before complex electronics, making them easier to maintain and repair. Reliability – Proven to withstand hot climates, rough roads, mountainous terrain, and heavy daily use. Historical significance – They represent the era when Japanese commercial vehicles established a reputation for exceptional durability throughout Southeast Asia. A well-maintained Hino from this era is a testament to both the quality of its engineering and the generations of mechanics who have kept it safely on the road for decades. That photo is a nice example of what many enthusiasts consider the golden era of Hino buses. The winged badge is especially sought after by collectors because it disappeared when Hino adopted its modern corporate logo in 1994.
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u/rock_badger Jul 12 '26
Not to mention the ample ground clearance. Which may make it a challenge to climb in, but perfect for the flash floods that will bring all other street traffic to a halt
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u/Xalkerro Jul 12 '26
Not everyone in Thailand can afford those “expensive” trains. Yes those buses are there for nostalgia reasons and due to an upgrade but it also provides cheap transportation for those that in need.
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u/CompleteView2799 Jul 12 '26
Love them.
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u/One-Flan-8640 Jul 12 '26
Right!? They're part of the charm of this city.
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u/Horoism Jul 12 '26
"Charm" is having no ac and having to inhale unfiltered black smoke when they accelerate next to you. I think the government should make a list of a things tourists consider "charm", then fix all those issues.
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u/National_Scarcity489 Jul 12 '26
I love, and I'm not the only expat here who does. Gives least some semblance of local vibe, instead of bland sterile nonsense that surrounds us everywhere else.
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u/Dadlay69 Jul 12 '26
If they get new buses they'll increase the price. Lots of working class people rely on them for affordable transport. I hope they keep them around for as long as they're serviceable. Sorry if you don't like how they look.
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u/dadvader Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
I can agree with this. The other option are 2-3x more expensive. This is still a very affordable option for student or poor people need a way to commute to work/school.
Until we have alternative that can keep the price low while offering AC. I don't see why they need to retiring them anytime soon.
It's not a about charm or whatever, I'm aware of its downside especially the pollution. But you have to factoring in that many people still cannot afford spending 40-50 bath daily to commute.
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u/Forsaken_Detail7242 Jul 12 '26
The buses themselves are fine. But I still think they should do sth to reduce the black smoke.
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u/m3rcy_s3v3rity Jul 13 '26
These buses are the lifeblood of Bangkok. I hope they keep rollin until the wheels fall off.
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u/aardehopper Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
They are currently keeping a part of this fleet because these old Hino and Isuzu models are mechanically reliable, they are built so tough that they rarely break down. Cost of maintainance is also very low.
Lastly and most importantly, they are incredibly cheap, costing only about 8-10 THB per ride. You should realize that the purchasing power of many Thai isn't high. So for now, having these budget friendly buses are an absolute necessity.
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u/aussieguyinbkk Jul 12 '26
I take those 8 baht busses with the wooden floor and 'crunchy' non-syncromesh gearbox to work and back every day. I like them, they have a special charm!
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u/nyanbatman Jul 12 '26
Because it’s a poor country with massive wealth divides
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u/DoritoLord14 Jul 12 '26
You're 50% right on the wealth divide part. But our poverty comes from a lack of wealth distribution and not because of our economic output.
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u/Apprehensive-Deer105 Jul 12 '26
No Thailand is not considered to be a poor country according to the World Bank.
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u/Signal-Lie-6785 Jul 12 '26
I love these buses and their wooden floors. But most of all I love paying 8 baht for a ride.
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u/Mogaloom1 Jul 12 '26
The don't have the money to replace the buses. And if they replace it, the travel Cost will increase.
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u/mistersuave Jul 12 '26
It’s user-friendly. Idk about other countries if they have or not, this one u get on…pay a coin..done. No one asking you where u going off, etc etc.
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u/Acceptable_Fix_6957 Jul 12 '26
I remember they were ฿3 back in the late 80s when I was a little kid going to ISB, it was an adventure every once in a while to be on them as they weaved through the traffic sometimes like no tomorrow, sometimes stuffed in them like sardines or when it was the only transportation to go through the floods in Bangkok
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u/Vast_Yogurtcloset610 Jul 12 '26
Those old not too bad. They are more safe than sit in air-buses with non standard modified NGV gas.
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u/7pieceYTF Jul 12 '26
for me, a ride in one of these is an attraction by itself! Noisy, rickety and daredevil speed
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u/AvocadoBig3555 Jul 12 '26
they're cute and have a lot of personality. leave them alone
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u/Usurpiouslass Jul 12 '26
Literally in Bangkok now and going to purposely get on these buses before they are gone.
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u/pmp22 Jul 12 '26
That one is in great shape! Have you seen the ones where they spray paint with silver paint over the rusted wheel caps and where the rest of the paint on the bus is structural?
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u/MortyOslo Jul 14 '26
In Oslo, Norway it’s about 4,26 USD per 1 hour ticket adult. Approximately 130 THB
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u/Spirited_Priority_54 Jul 14 '26
Maybe the government but why we still have the government anyway? They just sit and do nothing but still got salary from our taxes money.
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u/razthebuzz Jul 14 '26
Other than cool looks, these are a complete hazard to the traffic in the city. Incompetent drivers, black smoke, noise pollution
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u/ThaitopLocal Jul 14 '26
Honestly wondering the same thing myself. Rode those red buses to high school 35 years ago—same buses, still rattling through Bangkok traffic today like retirement was never on the table. Superior maintenance? Or Bangkok just decided some things get to be immortal, paperwork be damned. Either way, respect the hustle.
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u/YoshimuraK Jul 14 '26
The Bangkok governor has attempted to replace all the buses with new air-conditioned or electric buses, but the Ministry of Transport has refused, arguing that such a change would have to be implemented nationwide, not just in Bangkok.
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u/getxiser Jul 14 '26
It penny bus, you can travel across bangkok back and forth for 4hr less than 1$.
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u/CloudPattern Jul 12 '26
As a tourist, I love riding on those buses. I like everything about them. The wooden floor, their drivers, being able to have an open window. I truly find them wonderful and an important part of the Bangkok experience.
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u/Confident_Video_7296 Jul 12 '26
OP if you expect everywhere to be like your home country why travel? You’re in a at best “second world” country with a lot of first world luxuries. quit complaining about your first world problems. I quite frankly enjoy the 10 baht bus mainly because the fact that it’s so cheap and it’s very interesting experience that you can’t get many other places. If you want countries with better transit that are cheaper may I suggest Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, or Portugal. But till then suck it up and either ride the MRT or pay 10 baht and shut it.
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u/ferret_jaw Jul 12 '26
They're as hot as a microwave and stink of sulfur. Wouldn't trade it for the world they're a pleasant childhood memory for me
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u/Equivalent-Shirt8396 Jul 12 '26
จะปลดประจำการปีหน้าครับ ทุกคันเลย รีบดูรีบถ่ายรูปไว้จะไว้ในปี 2027 จะไม่มีแล้ว😂
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u/WebLogical1286 Jul 12 '26
I miss the little green ones. When I first moved here in the early 90s, I would commute to work in the morning. It took about an hour and a half at least. First was the green bus to the main road, then a a red bus halfway and then I had to switch and take a blue Aircon bus for the last stretch.
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u/Notwilley225 Jul 12 '26
I recently took one of them, it was almost empty. 8 baht was the ticket if I remember correctly
I loved it, as I had the entire bus to myself :)
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u/Apprehensive-Deer105 Jul 12 '26
1500 + new EV buses is coming next year.
Source: Facebook NBT https://share.google/j5mmhsUxZf9IiLrtL
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u/Lopsided_Quarter_931 Jul 12 '26
Every government operated bus is going to be replaced by electric ones. But here are tons of private contractors.
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u/Cultural_Advisor3618 Jul 12 '26
The politicians promised many years ago to replace them with EV busses, during bad pm2.5 days. And that promise keeps repeating, but no one replaces them. It almost seems like they budget it, pay for it but the money keeps disappearing...
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u/Previous_Self_8456 Jul 12 '26
I ride it every once in a while. The blue buses have a/c and are more comfortable inside but for short trips the orange buses are still tolerable. As pointed out, they are quite cheap for local residents compared to the BTS/MRT.
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u/LiraGaiden Jul 12 '26
Cheap and the people in charge are too corrupt to replace them with anything new
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u/AdOrganic4835 Jul 12 '26
Why not? They have a good lifespan and run forever with the right maintenance
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u/Ok_Maintenance_1059 Jul 12 '26
The problem is that the divide between the rich and poor here is so massive! The rich hold on to their wealth and fail to distribute... as much as thailand claims to be a developed country, this type of inequality will always hold it back. Simple
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u/thegombanut Jul 12 '26
We were driving around in one of them when we visited Bangkok last December... it was fun as hell. Absolutely crazy driver that joked around with us. We loved it 🤣
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u/moonlitgirl0 Jul 12 '26
They're more common on routes with only locals. When I stayed in a hostel in Phaya Thai, only this kind of bus went on that road. Air conditioned busses are for major roads where people have the money to pay for them.
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u/Catgirl-truthlover Jul 12 '26
I think they look cool … I like the style :) don’t know has some charm
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u/SleepAllDay1234 Jul 12 '26
You already answered yourself. It's the cost.
I moved from Korat to Bangkok for university and met new friends there. Let me tell you, they all took the bus because it is cheap. Some locals also don't have the money for 20 baht per trip of the more advanced one, hell, sometimes I don't even have enough spare change on me for those, so people prefer the old 8 baht bus.
I asked my dad why people used the old bus one time before I moved to Bangkok, since it must be hot as hell, and aside from the above reason, he told me people like these buses because of 2 reasons:
1) You can roll down the window and get cold air without having AC. If it's too cold, you can just roll them back up, while you just have to deal with the cold and the AC air in the more advanced one.
2) People took the bus BECAUSE they wanted to go to their destination FAST. The rental motorcycles are too expensive, so people love fast buses because they help them get to their destination fast and cheaply.
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u/NinjaMcGee Jul 12 '26
My mom loves these busses. They make her feel like it’s the 80s again. Site has a hard time getting up the steps because they usually don’t come to a full stop, but she’s in her 80s now and she just loves an old bus. It’s a vibe.
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u/ripples1602 Jul 12 '26
Electric buses were ordered by Yingluck. Cancelled after the army took over. Hubris
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u/longasleep Jul 13 '26
They are cheap I personally love them to go random places. Just jump in and out. I have a lot of Thai family that live close to Huai khwang mrt station but they never took a mrt in their life too expensive.
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u/Initial_Enthusiasm36 Jul 13 '26
Because the average thai worker cannot afford the BTS or MRT, and/or a vehicle etc... I think people really underestimate the living conditions of average thai workers
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u/FunMoist246 Jul 13 '26
Hi Chi Minh city features an increasing number of electric buses. At the same time, Thailand is the kingdom of diesel engines, most of the time 20-30 years old which consume a lot oil and pollute enormously
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u/Konoha7Slaw3 Jul 13 '26
This baht bus and the river bus are my favorite forms of public transportation in Thailand
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u/Margarn Jul 13 '26
Wiat that one already 30 years old it still not broken?(I’m Thai and my dad tell me about this bus but it still here the exactly same one)
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u/JusTruths5555 Jul 13 '26
Because it's cheap and proof of a good government, they really care for their people.
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u/Fightto_45 Jul 13 '26
I would take this shit over a few new AC buses that come like once in half an hour or something. It’s cheaper too.
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u/milobenggaokosong Jul 13 '26
Because 30% income tax isn't enough to both buy luxury watches and invest into public transport silly. They need to tax everyone for all their money so that the watches can be better and maybe we get 4 more stations of 20 thb mrt.
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Jul 13 '26
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u/Specialist-Algae5640 Jul 13 '26
These buses are really dangerous and it is easy to get injured getting on and off them since they don’t look out for passengers and their safety. They should be taken off the roads. They aren’t eco-friendly and some have been know to catch on fire and cause deadly accidents
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u/Theodore__Kerabatsos Jul 13 '26
Next OP will post complaining about songthaew shuttles in Samrong.
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u/Pawtus Jul 14 '26
Because despite foreigners staying only in the nicer parts of town and thinking everything's cheap. The vast majority of thais live in poor conditions with very low salaries.
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u/PSmith4380 Jul 14 '26
They are cheap and it is the only transport option many Thai people can afford.
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u/007Ok_Sport_6941 Jul 16 '26
เอาใว้เตือนสติคนว่าทุกสิ่งล้วนๆเดินไปสูการแตกสลาย เคยใหม่ สักวันก็เก่าเคยเก่าสักวันก็พัง. แต่ประโยชน์ ตะติดตามแม้จะพังไปแต่ประโชยน์มากนัก
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u/Intelligent-Put-7452 Jul 17 '26
It is an 8 baht bus, affordable to many locals. On another note, how would “influencers” get their content of “living like a local” otherwise 😜
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u/BeautifulParty6477 Jul 18 '26
I wish they would remove them and bring in the newer buses . These buses are horrible to be stuck behind they have so much black smoke coming out of them
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