Thailand Approves 3-Satang-Per-Kilometer Bus Fare Hike
Intercity bus fares will rise 3 satang per kilometer starting September 15, following a fifth adjustment this year due to climbing diesel costs that now exceed the baseline used in previous calculations.
The Department of Land Transport has approved a fare increase for intercity buses of 3 satang per kilometer per seat, effective September 15, 2025. Sorapong Paitoonpongsa, director-general of the Department of Land Transport, said fuel costs are a critical factor in bus operations. The department has adjusted fares five times since April 2025 in response to fluctuating diesel prices. Diesel recently rose to 39.84 baht per liter, exceeding the 34-baht baseline from the last adjustment. On September 11, 2025, the Central Land Transport Control Committee approved the increase for Category 2 routes (Bangkok to provinces) and Category 3 routes (between provinces). For a 100-kilometer journey, fares will rise 3 baht per seat. The fare adjustment formula incorporates the Consumer Price Index, Energy Index, and wage costs, designed to adjust up or down with changing conditions. The Department of Land Transport will closely monitor diesel prices and service costs to ensure fare adjustments remain fair and do not burden the public, while enabling operators to maintain adequate service levels.
