In the direct thrust control system of permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM), it was difficult for traditional mechanical sensors to accurately obtain the feedback information of the control system under harsh conditions. The model reference adaptive algorithm was applied to PMLSM. A speed sensorless direct thrust control system based on model reference adaptive system (MRAS) was designed, and a flux linkage observer was reconstructed according to the identified flux position. The flux linkage was compensated to reduce the fluctuation of thrust response of direct thrust control. The simulation results showed that the sensorless PMLSM direct thrust control system based on MRAS and flux compensation could accurately identify the primary speed and position information, and obtain better dynamic and static performance.