Inter-provincial bus and van operators said on Tuesday they would have to reduce services from Thursday onwards if the government refused to offset higher overheads caused by the Mideast war.
Their representatives warned of the looming suspension of some services when they gathered at the headquarters of the ruling Bhumjaithai Party on Tuesday.
They said a reduction in services would be necessary because they could not cover the soaring price of diesel.
A partial suspension of services was planned from Thursday, just ahead of the traditional exodus from the city for the Songkran festival next week.
Asanee Cherdchai, president of the Thai Bus Operators Association, said overheads had risen by 10,000-100,000 baht a day for small fleets and up to one million a day for big operators.
Without assistance from the government, they could not carry the financial burden and would have to shut down part of their fleets because the state-run Transport Co, which controlled their concessions, barred them from raising fares.
Mr Asanee said operators would have to curtail some services from Thursday onwards unless the government came to their aid. Even though demand for travel would soar over the Songkran holiday, assistance was needed.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat met their representatives. He said the ministry would subsidise bus operators' costs during the Songkran festival, until April 19. A new fare structure would then be introduced to better reflect operating costs.
The pump price of standard diesel has risen from below 30 baht per litre before the Mideast war to more than 50 baht per litre currently.
