- The new bus terminal opened in April 2009 and has since become the center for nearly all inter-provincial routes, hosting VIP, 1st-class, and only a handful of 2nd-class bus lines
Chiang Rai, following the example of so many other Thai cities, recently redirected almost all inter-provincial bus traffic to a new bus terminal (baw kaw saw mai) on the outskirts of the city, presumably to cut down on downtown traffic congestion caused by buses entering and leaving the old central bus station.
The new bus terminal opened in April 2009 and has since become the center for nearly all inter-provincial routes, hosting VIP, 1st-class, and only a handful of 2nd-class bus lines. Companies of note include Sombat Tour with 2 offices on site, Green Bus with the only routes to and from Chiang Mai, and the high-class Nakhonchai Tour and Nakhonchai Air lines. Nearly all of the bus companies operating here have clear signs and posted schedules, so it’s easy to get the information you need.
Routes
| Company | Destinations | Departure Times |
| Green Tour | Chiang Mai | VIP: 9:15, 13:00, 15:30, 17:15, 18:15* A1: 8:15, 10:30, 11:45, 12:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:15, 16:30, 17:45, 18:45*, 19:30* A2: 6:30, 7:45, 8:50, 10:05, 11:15, 13:30, 15:35, 17:30 * Fridays and Sundays only |
| Nankham Tour | ||
| Cherdchai Tour | ||
| Isaan Tour | ||
| Chakrapong Tour | ||
| Win Tour | ||
| Siam First | ||
| Choke Rung Thawee Tour | ||
| Transport Company 999 | ||
| Nakhonchai Tour | ||
| Nakhonchai Air |
Company Destinations Departure Times
Green Tour Chiang Mai VIP: 9:15, 13:00, 15:30, 17:15, 18:15*
A1: 8:15, 10:30, 11:45, 12:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:15, 16:30, 17:45, 18:45*, 19:30*
A2: 6:30, 7:45, 8:50, 10:05, 11:15, 13:30, 15:35, 17:30
* Fridays and Sundays only
Nankham Tour Bangkok via Phayao, Lampang, Tak, Khampangpet A1: 16:30, 18:00
Cherdchai Tour Bangkok via Phitsanuloke A1: 8:30, 17:00, 17:45, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30
Isaan Tour Khon Kaen via Phrae, Phitsanuloke, Uttaradit A1: 18:00
A2: 9:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:30
Chakrapong Tour Nakhon Phanom via Phitsanuloke, Loei, Nongbualamphu, Udon Thai Sakhon Nakhon VIP: 17:00
A1: 13:30
Win Tour Phitsanuloke via Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai A2: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 14:20
Siam First Bangkok VIP: 18:00, 18:30, 18:50
A1: 17:00
Choke Rung Thawee Tour Bangkok VIP: 17:30
A1: 17:00, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
Transport Company 999 Bangkok VIP: 8:20, 19:00
A1: 7:30, 8:30, 18:00, 18:30
A2: 17:00, 18:00, 19:30
Nakhonchai Tour Korat VIP: 19:15
A1: 6:15, 13:15, 15:30, 17:30
A2: 11:15
Nakhonchai Air Rayong VIP: 14:45, 16:30
A1: 15:45
A2: 13:15
VIP = top-class express bus with few, large seats
A1 = 1st-class, air-conditioned bus (with toilet, few stops)
A2 = 2nd-class, air-conditioned bus (no toilet, many stops)
Other Services
There are still very few shops and restaurants around the new terminal but slowly shop houses are being rented out to the enterprising. Currently, shops are open selling snacks and drinks, noodles, and coffee – expect more action in the future.
If you don’t want to take a taxi, there is a convenient and easy sawngthaew (share taxi) route into the heart of Chiang Rai city for only 10 baht. A tuk-tuk can cost 50-80 baht for the 7km ride, depending on your negotiation skills. You can catch the sky blue sawngthaw roughly every 20 minutes at the northeast corner of the main terminal building near the toilets.