PM Srettha pays surprise visit to Bangkok bus terminal

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, along with a team of top officials, descended upon Mo Chit 2, Bangkok’s bus terminal, to ensure a smooth ride for Songkran travellers.

As Thailand gears up for its traditional new year celebrations from April 12 to 15, the pressure is on to ensure the safety and comfort of millions hitting the roads for family reunions.

Joined by key figures like Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, the Thai premier wasted no time in addressing crucial issues. He emphasised the need for thorough physical checks on drivers and rigorous drug screenings to curb accidents caused by reckless driving.

The PM personally inspected ongoing renovations, from the terminal’s infrastructure to its amenities. His suggestion to incorporate LED monitors for both advertising revenue and passenger entertainment received nods of approval.

Engaging directly with travellers, the Bangkok-born Srettha gauged public sentiment, finding most respondents praising the terminal’s enhancements. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote vowed to prevent holiday horror stories, ensuring no one gets stranded or falls prey to ticket scalpers, reported The Nation.

With an estimated 800,000 passengers expected to pass through Mo Chit 2, safety remains paramount.

In related news, a demand for an increase in the starting taxi fare at Mo Chit 2 to 50 Thai baht was presented to the Transport Ministry by the Professional Association of Public Taxi Motorists on Thursday, March 14. The association simultaneously appealed for the resolution of the persistent issue of illegal taxi operations in the area.

In other news, the Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Bangkok District 9 Suphanat Minchainan made recommendations for improving the escalators and lifts at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal.

Suphanat suggested that the deputy minister of transport and executives should listen to service users in terms of the issues that have arisen regarding the station and that they shouldn’t rely on their judgment.

He stated that improvement works to the escalators and lifts are necessary at the Bangkok Bus Terminal or Mo Chit 2 after the MP had inspected and found many problems in operations during the New Year holiday.