Thai Smile Bus

Thai Smile Bus (Thai: บริษัทไทยสมายล์บัสจำกัด) is a major private bus operator in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces that provides bus service under a concession issued by the Thai Ministry of Transport.

Since it launched service in 2022, Thai Smile Bus has progressively taken over bus routes in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region from other providers, including the public operator, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. Fares start from 15 baht, with the entire fleet consisting of EV buses, aimed at reducing carbon emissions. As of 2025, TSB runs 123 bus routes in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces as part of a plan to reform bus operations in and around Bangkok.

The company also operates electric ferries along the Chao Phraya River and Khlong Saen Saeb in Bangkok branded as Thai Smile Boat.

History

The company was registered on 9 June 2020 with Kulpornphat Wongmajarapinya as CEO and Chairwoman, who retains a 51% majority ownership stake. The remaining 49% of shares are held by Beyond Securities (BYD).

Thai Smile Bus received a concession from the Department of Transport to operate 71 bus routes, with an additional 52 routes announced in 2023. Thai Smile Bus also announced it would expand its fleet of electric vehicles by 1,850 from 1,250 buses to a total of 3,100 buses.

As part of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's bus reform plan to allow private operators to take over existing BMTA routes, TSB came to inherit a fleet of a fleet of approximately 350 diesel buses. By January 2024, however, the company decommissioned all of its NGV buses, running a fleet of 100% electric vehicles. Later that year, TSB began operating 24-hour services on 13 routes to meet growing demand for all-day service with 1 hour frequencies between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am. This move was met with some public pushback due to the fact that the decommissioning of diesel buses included pulling non-air conditioned buses out of service. Non-air conditioned buses charged lower fares (starting from 8 THB) while TSB fares begin at 15 THB and were therefore more affordable to the public. In response, TSB began operating electric non-air-conditioned buses or "hot buses" for a flat fare of 10 THB on some routes.

Routes

As of 2025, TSB operates a total of 123 bus routes throughout the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Most route numbers are identified using a Z-NN format, with the first number representing the zone to which the bus route belongs. The second number designates the actual route.

In the case where TSB inherited routes from BMTA, buses also display the old BMTA number in parentheses. Notably, TSB has come to operate Route 8, a bus line notorious for a high incidence of reckless driving. Upon its transfer to TSB, it has been renumbered 2-38.

Overnight service is available on 13 routes, which are:
* Route 1-3 (34): Bang Khen <> Hua Lamphong via Phahonyothin Road
* Route 1-37 (27): Min Buri <> Victory Monument
*Route 1-39 (71): Suan Siam <> Khlong Toei
*Route 2-15 (97): Ministry of Public Health <> Somdej Phra Pinklao Hospital
* Route 2-38 (8): Happyland <> Phutthaphot Bridge Pier
*Route 3-1 (2): Pak Nam <> Phutthaphot Bridge Pier
*Route 3-6 (25): Pathumkongka School Samut Prakan <> Ekkamai Bus Terminal
*Route 3-36(4): Khlong Toei Pier <> Phasi Charoen Pier
*Route 34: Rangsit <> Hua Lamphong
*Route 4-36 (7): Suksanaree School <> Hua Lamphong
*Route 4-44 (80A): Wapawor 11 Village <> Suan Luang Rama VIII,
*Route 4-46 (84): Wat Rai Khing <> BTS Krung Thon Buri
*Route 4-15 (82): Phra Pradaeng Pier <> Banglamphu

Fleet

TSB operates a fleet of over 3,100 electric buses. The company uses a dark blue livery for its buses. The fleet comprises mainly 12-metre long buses, however TSB also operates 8-metre long buses. The buses can be distingushed by its unique blue colour on the roads.

Fares

TSB fares vary between air-conditioned buses and non air-conditioned or "hot buses". "Hot buses" charge a flat fare of 10 THB while air-conditioned buses are charged according to the distance travelled. Fares for both buses are payable by smart card.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, the company introduced the HOP Card in December 2022. The card can also be used to pay fares for the company's electric ferries. The card provides a daily fare cap on fares, meaning passengers need not pay more than 40-50 THB when using Thai Smile Bus buses or ferries. Discount fares are available to children, who enjoy a daily fare cap of 25 THB. Passengers must tap in and out of buses using the card to ensure the correct fare is registered.

Cards can be purchased online, in the Market Village and Tops Supermarket, onboard buses and certain major ferry terminals.

See also

* Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
* Bangkok BRT
* Transport in Bangkok

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:001, Bangkok Bus Route
Bus transport in Bangkok
Transport in Bangkok
Bus operating companies of Asia
Thai companies established in 2020