Transport News

Thailand transport news, infrastructure updates, public transit, and traffic reports—stay informed on groundbreaking developments and real-time travel updates. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for transport news in Thailand.

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  • New driving rules: Foreigners must take test in Thailand | Thaiger

    New driving rules: Foreigners must take test in Thailand

    No more shortcuts — foreigners in Thailand will soon be required to pass a written test to get a Thai driver’s licence, even if they hold a valid international permit. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is tightening its rules with a new draft regulation that scraps the use of international driving permits (IDPs) as acceptable proof for obtaining a…

  • Pink Line plunge: Ridership nosedives 68% after fares kick in | Thaiger

    Pink Line plunge: Ridership nosedives 68% after fares kick in

    It was all aboard the ghost train on Tuesday, as passenger numbers on Bangkok’s extended Pink Line dropped a staggering 68% overnight — the moment commuters were asked to pay. The Department of Rail Transport revealed the dramatic fall in ridership just one day after the end of the Pink Line’s free test-run period. The extended two-station line to Muang…

  • Bangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month

    Bangkok drivers are in for a traffic breakthrough as a major new link road connecting Vibhavadi Rangsit and Phahon Yothin roads nears completion — and it’s set to open by the end of the month. The Bang Khen District Office confirmed the much-anticipated infrastructure upgrade is in its final inspection phase, with workers putting the finishing touches on what’s expected…

  • Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution | Thaiger

    Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution

    Phuket is charging ahead in the race for greener cities, with the launch of an innovative new initiative to transform urban mobility. The City Lab project, a key part of the Thai-German cooperation on energy, transport, and climate change, is set to revolutionise the way locals and tourists get around, starting with the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The official…

  • Pink Line extension to Muang Thong Thani now open | Thaiger

    Pink Line extension to Muang Thong Thani now open

    The much-anticipated extension of the Pink Line has officially opened, offering commuters a faster and more convenient way to travel to Muang Thong Thani. The new 3-kilometre extension, which opened today, June 17, connects Sri Rat Station to two new stations—Impact Thani Station (MT01) and Muang Thong Thani Lake Station (MT02). With services running daily from 6am to midnight, this…

  • Transport Ministry to launch contractor oversight system in August | Thaiger

    Transport Ministry to launch contractor oversight system in August

    The Ministry of Transport plans to introduce a “contractor report card” system in August, aimed at enhancing the oversight and accountability of contractors involved in public infrastructure projects. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the Ministry of Finance’s Comptroller General Department is working on regulations to evaluate contractor performance. These regulations will be reviewed by the…

  • Fast track to Formula fun: Thailand revs up for F1 bid | Thaiger

    Fast track to Formula fun: Thailand revs up for F1 bid

    Thailand has hit the gas on its high-octane dream of becoming a Formula One (F1) host nation, with a turbocharged 40 billion baht plan to bring the world’s most elite racing series to the Land of Smiles by 2028. Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed on today, June 17, that the Cabinet has officially approved the country’s bold bid…

  • Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system | Thaiger

    Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system

    To modernise and better serve the ever-growing number of tourists flocking to Pattaya, Bang Lamung district has unveiled major plans to overhaul its zoning regulations for entertainment venues and completely restructure the motorbike taxi system. This ambitious initiative was announced at a meeting chaired by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon at the Takian Tia Municipal Office, attended by government leaders and…

  • Thailand to launch direct flights to the US after aviation boost | Thaiger

    Thailand to launch direct flights to the US after aviation boost

    Thailand is gearing up to reconnect with the United States through direct flight routes, as part of the government’s ambitious plans to turn the country into Southeast Asia’s aviation hub. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced accelerated efforts to establish non-stop services between Thailand and the US, a move that could significantly enhance the country’s global standing. Currently, no airline offers…

  • Full steam ahead! Thai transport tsar fast-tracks mega makeover | Thaiger

    Full steam ahead! Thai transport tsar fast-tracks mega makeover

    Thailand’s transport tsar has slammed the accelerator on the kingdom’s biggest infrastructure schemes, ordering faster progress on high-speed rail, expressways and electric bus upgrades. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is leading the charge, with a major push to speed up the second phase of the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail line, and billions of baht in investment ready to be unleashed. Following…

  • High-speed: Thailand’s airport bullet train back on track (video) | Thaiger

    High-speed: Thailand’s airport bullet train back on track (video)

    It’s full steam ahead for Thailand’s long-awaited bullet train blitz, as the kingdom’s high-speed train dreams roar back to life, five years after the pandemic derailed them. Thailand’s ambitious Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway is finally set to hit the fast lane, with officials confirming the project contract will be finalised by July 2025. Dubbed a game-changer for the Eastern Economic…

  • 5th Thai-Laos bridge to boost trade to over 28 billion baht | Thaiger

    5th Thai-Laos bridge to boost trade to over 28 billion baht

    The fifth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge is set to open by the end of the year, boosting cross-border trade to over 28 billion baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, alongside Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, attended the concrete pouring ceremony for the bridge connecting Bueng Kan in Thailand and Bolikhamxai in Laos. This development aims to enhance…

  • Bus operators fight back against Phatthalung road ban | Thaiger

    Bus operators fight back against Phatthalung road ban

    Bus operators in Thailand’s southern provinces are fuming over a new ban that restricts them from using the Phatthalung-Trang route, which runs through the Khao Phap Pha mountain. The controversial decision sparked outrage among double-decker bus operators, who are demanding that the Transport Ministry and Land Transport Department review the ban for safety reasons. Around 100 operators took to the…

  • Emirates lands a double delight with new SE Asia flights | Thaiger

    Emirates lands a double delight with new SE Asia flights

    Emirates is turning up the heat in Southeast Asia with the launch of two brand-new routes, to Vietnam’s coastal gem Da Nang and Cambodia’s cultural heartland, Siem Reap, both flying via Bangkok. The Dubai-based airline kicked off the Da Nang route on June 2, followed by Siem Reap on June 3, pushing its regional network to 23 destinations. Both flights will…

  • Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset | Thaiger

    Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset

    The battle of the Bangkok backseats has taken a new turn — and the Transport Ministry is stepping in to play referee. After months of mounting tension between traditional taxi drivers and Grab ride-hailing services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, government officials have now unveiled a plan to restore fairness and order. Yesterday, May 28, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote announced a…

  • Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos | Thaiger

    Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos

    Commuters in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Chaiyaphruek Road just got a serious glow-up. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) officially opened the expanded 10-lane Chaiyaphruek Road, a major upgrade from its original six lanes. The mega-project aims to ease traffic congestion and prepare for surging commuter numbers in the years to…

  • Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals | Thaiger

    Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals

    Bangkok’s tourist police are cracking down hard on taxi drivers who cheat tourists by refusing rides, avoiding meters, or blocking traffic. In a major enforcement sweep, 76 drivers were arrested for violating the law in the city’s busy tourist areas. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered strict action to ensure taxi…

  • Thailand’s helmet crackdown kicks off June 1 with hefty fines | Thaiger

    Thailand’s helmet crackdown kicks off June 1 with hefty fines

    Thailand’s police are ramping up efforts to curb traffic accidents with a nationwide Road Safety Project launching on this Sunday, June 1, targeting drivers and passengers who refuse to wear helmets. The crackdown comes with hefty penalties: fines of up to 2,000 baht, doubled if a motorcyclist’s passenger isn’t helmeted. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Nitithorn Jintakanon, Commander of…

  • Parcel firm under fire for blocking traffic in Wichit, Phuket | Thaiger

    Parcel firm under fire for blocking traffic in Wichit, Phuket

    A parcel delivery company on Chao Fa East Road in Wichit town, Phuket, is under fire for allegedly encroaching on public land and causing serious traffic disruptions, sparking outrage among locals. After a flood of complaints, a joint government inspection took place yesterday, May 22, probing the firm’s use of public space to park large delivery vehicles, which residents say…

  • New Thai apps take on delivery giants with just 5-baht fees | Thaiger

    New Thai apps take on delivery giants with just 5-baht fees

    Thailand’s motorcycle taxi drivers and street food vendors are getting a long-overdue digital lifeline, thanks to two new low-cost platforms designed to beat big tech at its own game. On Monday, May 19, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Chulalongkorn University’s Asia Research Cluster for Social Solidarity and Inclusive Economy unveiled two groundbreaking platforms: “Nong Khoei Ma Thao Rai?” (“Have…

  • Thailand rolls out new payout rules for flight delays | Thaiger

    Thailand rolls out new payout rules for flight delays

    Travellers in Thailand can now breathe a sigh of relief — airlines are officially on the hook if they mess up your travel plans. New regulations designed to protect airline passengers from the misery of flight delays and cancellations came into force yesterday, May 20. Under the sweeping changes introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), passengers now…

  • SRT approves delayed Lat Krabang container depot overhaul | Thaiger

    SRT approves delayed Lat Krabang container depot overhaul

    After years of frustrating delays, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is finally pushing forward with a 40 billion baht upgrade of Bangkok’s Inland Container Depot in Lat Krabang and the green light couldn’t come soon enough. The SRT board last Thursday, May 15, approved a long-awaited study into the project’s future, identifying a public-private partnership (PPP) under a net…

  • Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses | Thaiger

    Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses

    Bangkok’s endless traffic jams might soon have a silver lining—up in the sky. The Transport Ministry has announced an ambitious plan to tackle the capital’s notorious congestion by building a series of new overpasses in the city and surrounding provinces. The move comes as part of a wider push to ease pressure on key transport routes during peak hours, particularly…

  • SRT to test refurbished Japanese diesel trains for suburban routes | Thaiger

    SRT to test refurbished Japanese diesel trains for suburban routes

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will start testing on KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains before next month ends, with plans to deploy these second-hand trains from Japan on suburban feeder routes by the end of the year. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala stated that the donated trains have been adapted to suit Thailand’s narrow-gauge tracks. Out of 20 units…

  • Trang Airport finally taxiing toward take-off after years of turbulence | Thaiger

    Trang Airport finally taxiing toward take-off after years of turbulence

    After years of delays, walkouts and government faffing about, Trang Airport’s long-stalled revamp is finally back on the runway, with part of a shiny new terminal expected to open next month and billions more being poured into the project. The opposition People’s Party has vowed to keep a close eye on Trang Airport’s 4.4-billion-baht overhaul, which has been riddled with contractor…

  • Baht to the future: 20 baht Bangkok train fare plan on fast track | Thaiger

    Baht to the future: 20 baht Bangkok train fare plan on fast track

    Bangkok commuters could soon be zipping across the city’s electric rail network for just 20 baht a ride, no matter how far they go, as the government pushes ahead with its wallet-friendly fare cap. The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) officially proposed a flat-rate fare ceiling of 20 baht for all electric train services, with Cabinet approval expected later this…

  • Transport Ministry plans mixed-use development at Bangkok port | Thaiger

    Transport Ministry plans mixed-use development at Bangkok port

    The Ministry of Transport will embark on a development project for the Khlong Toei port area, with plans for a mixed-use development on a 520-rai plot. The initiative, discussed in a meeting chaired by Deputy Transport Minister Monporn Charoensri yesterday, May 6, aims to maximise the utility of the Bangkok port area. Four subcommittees have made progress in various areas,…

  • Bangkok trials smart traffic system at 72 city intersections | Thaiger

    Bangkok trials smart traffic system at 72 city intersections

    Bangkok’s notorious traffic nightmare could finally be easing, thanks to a new ‘smart’ system that promises to slash waiting times and get drivers moving faster. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rolled out its high-tech Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 72 key intersections in a bold bid to revolutionise the capital’s congested roads. The trial initiative aims to replace outdated…

  • Transport ministry proposes MRT Act changes for 20-baht flat fare | Thaiger

    Transport ministry proposes MRT Act changes for 20-baht flat fare

    The Ministry of Transport is set to propose changes to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Act during a special session of the House of Representatives next month. This aligns with the introduction of a 20-baht flat fare for the electric railway system planned for September. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated yesterday, April 29, that the ministry is finalising a…

  • Trumped up trouble puts brakes on Thailand’s car industry | Thaiger

    Trumped up trouble puts brakes on Thailand’s car industry

    Thailand’s car industry is veering off course, with annual production now expected to skid below target thanks to Washington’s punishing tariffs and a domestic market bogged down by debt and rejected loans. Thailand’s automotive engine is spluttering, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warning that this year’s car production is set to fall short of its 1.5 million-unit goal,…