The director said that the move is necessary to cater to increasing demand for bus travel to the north and northeastern regions of the country. Morchit currently handles around 40 million passengers annually. The director stated that the new terminal could increase capacity to up to 60 million passengers a year.
Mr Kanlayanamit said the company is looking at sites of around 120 rai (47 acres). He finished off by saying the new station would have different buildings for passengers travelling to different regions.
The current Morchit has different areas for arrivals and departures. The departure building has two floors. The ground floor handles buses for the north and some destinations on the eastern seaboard while passengers heading for the northeast use the upper floor.
Local media recently reported national transport minister Prajin Juntong favours a site close to the Future Park Plaza in Rangsit. Opponents to this proposal claim Rangsit is too far north of the city proper and passengers will be forced to spend too much time and money getting there.
Bangkok northern bus terminal on the move
News in Asia
The Thai national bus company says it will announce the new location of Bangkok’s northern inter-city bus terminal next month. Transport Company director Wuttichat Kanlayanamit said officials are assessing locations and working out the budget needed to relocate the Morchit II Bus Terminal.