The Transport Co. Ltd. (BKS), Thailand's state long-distance bus operator, started two new coach routes on 9 September 2026: an overnight VIP service from Bangkok to Thap Lamu pier in Phang Nga, and a daily cross-border bus from Udon Thani to Vientiane that stops at Udon Thani International Airport. BKS says two more are planned, Loei to Luang Prabang via Loei airport and Bangkok to Phuket via Phuket International Airport. This briefing, from a Thailand DMC for travel agents, sets out what each route does and where it fits in a programme.
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Bangkok to Thap Lamu pier: the overnight coach to the Andaman coast
- Route: Bangkok (Mo Chit 2 bus terminal) to Thap Lamu pier, 797 kilometres, via Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Khura Buri, Takua Pa, Lam Kaen and Khao Lak.
- Vehicle: first-class air-conditioned VIP coaches with 24 seats.
- Timings: one departure a day in each direction, leaving Mo Chit 2 at 18:35 and leaving Thap Lamu pier at 17:00.
- Booking: through the BKS website and app, its LINE account, ticket counters and by phone.
Thap Lamu is the main departure pier for the Similan and Surin islands, and BKS presents the coach as a link for onward boat travel to both. The two marine parks close every year from 15 May, and their reopening is reported for mid-October, so reconfirm the first operating day with the park and the boat operator before you build an early-season date around it.
Udon Thani to Vientiane, with a stop at the airport
- Route: Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 to Vientiane, 87 kilometres, stopping at Udon Thani International Airport.
- Vehicle: 40-seat air-conditioned second-class buses.
- Timings: one service a day in each direction. It leaves Udon Thani at 09:00, calls at the airport at 09:30 and reaches Vientiane at noon; the return leaves Vientiane at 14:00, reaches the airport at 16:30 and Udon Thani at 17:00.
The stop at the airport is the new part. A client who flies into Udon Thani in the morning can now reach the Lao capital the same day without a separate transfer into town. The bus crosses an international border, so every passenger needs a valid passport and must meet Laos's entry requirements, and a client coming back into Thailand makes a new entry under the Thai rules for their nationality. Our briefing on Thailand's visa exemption rules covers the Thai side, and the Udon Thani airport briefing covers the gateway itself.
Which clients these routes suit
Budget-conscious FITs and backpacker-style groups. A scheduled coach is the simplest way to move a small party between Bangkok and the Andaman coast without an internal flight, and the overnight timing saves a hotel night.
Divers and island visitors heading to Khao Lak. The coach stops in Khao Lak before Thap Lamu, which makes it a land alternative to flying into Phuket and driving north. Our Khao Lak guide covers the area.
Twin-centre trips with Laos. Clients who combine north-east Thailand with Vientiane now have a fixed daily public option from Udon Thani, its airport included. See our Udon Thani guide.
For premium clients and groups, a private vehicle is still the better choice: it leaves when the group is ready, stops where the group wants, and carries luggage without limits on a shared hold.
How to use them in a programme
Treat both routes as new services: confirm the timings before you ticket, and keep a fallback in case a departure is full or rescheduled. An overnight coach arrives with tired passengers, so book the first hotel night from arrival or arrange an early check-in. Our Thailand DMC transport team can meet the coach, handle the pier transfer or replace the coach with a private vehicle where the client needs it, and our excursions team can add the island day. Ask your Thailand DMC to check the Similan opening date before you sell an October trip. A Thailand DMC working in both Phang Nga and Isan can join the two routes into one itinerary, and the rest of what we handle is on our Thailand DMC services page. Agents selling Thailand from Laos and the region can see our source markets page, and the trade desk is on our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new BKS routes start?
Both the Bangkok to Thap Lamu pier coach and the Udon Thani to Vientiane bus started on 9 September 2026. BKS says routes from Loei to Luang Prabang and from Bangkok to Phuket via Phuket airport are planned, with no start date announced.
Can clients use the Thap Lamu coach to reach the Similan Islands?
The coach ends at Thap Lamu pier, the main departure point for the Similan and Surin islands, but the boat is a separate booking. The marine parks close from 15 May each year and their reopening is reported for mid-October, so confirm the first operating day before selling an early-season trip.
What times does the Udon Thani to Vientiane bus run?
It leaves Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 at 09:00, stops at Udon Thani International Airport at 09:30 and reaches Vientiane at noon. The return leaves Vientiane at 14:00 and reaches the airport at 16:30. Reconfirm before ticketing.
What documents do clients need on the Vientiane bus?
A valid passport and whatever Laos requires for their nationality, because the bus crosses an international border. On the way back they make a new entry into Thailand under the Thai rules for their nationality.
