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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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All aboard: Thai House passes new transit joint ticketing law
Thailand’s chaotic public transport ticketing system is on track for a major shake-up after MPs overwhelmingly backed a new law to unify fares across the country’s mass transit networks. The House of Representatives, chaired by Chaiya Phromma, First Deputy Speaker of the House, approved today the Joint Ticket Management Bill following a marathon debate on all 54 sections of the…
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Thailand axes M81 tolls ahead of King’s Cup showdown
Thailand’s M81 motorway is going toll-free for nearly two weeks to get fans pitch-side for the King’s Cup without the pain of fees. The Department of Highways has announced that the M81 motorway, connecting Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi, will be toll-free from 3pm on Friday, August 29 to 9am on Wednesday, September 10. The move is part of…
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Hua Hin’s old station gets flashy facelift to lure tourists
Thailand’s iconic Hua Hin railway station is on track for a major facelift, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) promising a sweeping revamp to boost tourism, jobs, and safety. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala visited the historic station this week to expedite the project and inspect the new passenger facilities. He met with Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatsaen to…
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Bangkok launches 20-baht train fare registration amid legal uncertainty
The registration for the 20-baht flat fare on Bangkok’s train networks began today, August 25, with the scheme promised to take effect on October 1, despite three relevant bills still awaiting Parliamentary approval. The Ministry of Transport, under the supervision of Pheu Thai Party member Suriya Juangroongruangkit, launched the scheme to reduce living costs for Thai citizens, aiming to increase…
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Rogue app drivers face tough Pattaya clampdown
Chaos on Pattaya’s streets is finally facing a clampdown, after city police and transport chiefs joined forces to tackle rogue taxis, illegal ride-hailing apps, and traffic gridlock. On Monday, August 18 at 4.45pm, top brass gathered at Pattaya City Police Station’s Operations Centre for an urgent summit on transport reform. The meeting was co-chaired by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanuphong Nimsuwan,…
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Pay Thai car tax in minutes with new app: DLT (video)
Paying your annual car tax just got a whole lot easier—and you won’t even have to leave the sofa. The Department of Land Transport (DLT), in partnership with Krungthai Bank, has launched a groundbreaking service allowing drivers to pay their annual vehicle tax via the Pao Tang app. Officials say the move will save time, cut travel costs, and make…
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Bangkok-bound train derails in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 10 injured
Chaos erupted in Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, early this morning when three sleeper carriages of a Bangkok-bound express train detached and derailed, leaving 10 people injured. The incident happened at around 5am today, August 9, when the special express train No. 38/46 from Su-ngai Kolok and Padang Besar to Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) was approaching a curved section…
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Bangkok toll booths go free for Mother’s Day travel
Drivers in Greater Bangkok can look forward to a free ride next Monday, as the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) scraps toll fees at 63 booths for the day in celebration of Mother’s Day. The toll waiver will run from 12.01am on Monday, August 11, to midnight on Tuesday, August 12, giving motorists a 24-hour break from charges on three…
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Pattaya launches sticker crackdown on Koh Larn vehicles
Koh Larn’s wild west of unregulated rental bikes, mystery fares, and traffic chaos is about to get a serious reality check. Pattaya officials have launched a sweeping new initiative to bring order to the island’s unruly public transport and rental vehicle scene — and it starts with colourful stickers. Over 3,500 vehicles will now be categorised, monitored, and regulated under…
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Bangkok BTS trains wrapped in Thai flag as tribute to border soldiers
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) wrapped its trains in the Thai national flag to honour soldiers who sacrificed their lives protecting Thailand’s territory and citizens during recent border clashes with Cambodia. Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated into military conflict in mid-July. After weeks of confrontation, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on July 29, bringing the fighting…
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Pattaya gridlock sparks calls for urgent rail fix
Pattaya’s roads are choking—and so are its residents. As traffic jams grow worse by the day, frustrated locals and weary tourists are demanding immediate action to overhaul the city’s outdated transport system. At the centre of the debate is Pattaya’s long-delayed Monorail Green Line project, a tram-style light rail network aimed at solving the city’s chronic congestion. Yesterday, July 31,…
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Bangkok rush hour relief as SRT trials new train route
Bangkok’s long-suffering commuters are finally getting a break—at least during rush hour. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has launched a pilot extension of suburban train routes in a bid to ease congestion and improve public transport during peak hours. Starting today, August 1, suburban train numbers 355 and 356 will operate on an extended route from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong…
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Bangkok crackdown targets rogue motorcycle taxis
Bangkok’s motorcycle taxi riders are facing a massive crackdown as city officials roll out an ambitious campaign to transform the capital’s thousands of taxi stands, targeting unruly drivers and unsafe practices. From this month until December, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will overhaul all 5,365 registered motorcycle taxi stands across the city. The sweeping initiative aims to boost safety standards,…
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Massive road revamp to shake up Phuket traffic flow
The Phuket Highways Office has announced plans for a massive 420-million baht overhaul of Srisoonthorn Road, one of the island’s busiest and most vital thoroughfares. Residents, business owners, and commuters are invited to weigh in at a public meeting scheduled for today, July 31. The meeting will run from 9am to midday at the Chalermprakiat 84 Pansa Building, located at…
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Pattaya expats rattled by driving licence clampdown
A new rule quietly rolled out by Land Transportation offices in Bang Lamung (Pattaya) and Rayong has triggered widespread confusion and anxiety among the foreign community. As of July 17, foreigners holding visas valid for less than one year will only be granted two-year driving licences—whether applying for the first time or renewing. The rule, which is not yet a…
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Patong’s wave rave! Sirens to sound as tsunami drill hits beach strip
Tourists in bikinis and beach bums sipping cocktails in Patong got a surprise dose of civic duty this week, as town hall chiefs hit the streets to warn about a tsunami drill set to rock the resort next Tuesday. Mayor Lalita Maneesri led the charge on Monday, July 21, flanked by councillors, civil defence bosses and hi-vis-clad disaster response teams.…
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Bangkok electric train fare capped at 20 baht from 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the maximum fare for the Bangkok metropolitan electric train network would be capped at 20 baht per journey starting October 1, 2025. The initiative will cover eight lines, spanning 13 routes, totalling 276.84 kilometres and 194 stations. On July 18, Suriya met with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and private sector…
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Thailand mulls first suspension bridge to link Phuket and Phang Nga
Thailand is considering constructing its first suspension bridge to connect Phuket with Phang Nga province, as part of a significant upgrade to the region’s Highway No. 402. This development, led by the Department of Highways, aims to improve connectivity and boost local tourism. The new bridge, proposed during a seminar held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, would be the…
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Phuket’s new ‘OneMap’ takes the stress out of island travel
Phuket’s tangled public transport network just got a digital makeover. In a bold step toward smart mobility, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pushing Phuket OneMap — a sleek new web platform that shows live public bus routes, estimated arrival times and stop info in one place. No app downloads needed. Just load it on any phone browser and…
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Chadchart warns 20 baht train plan could spark lawsuits
A feel-good fare cut could turn into a legal nightmare. Bangkok’s 20 baht train policy is under fire, again, not for what it promises passengers, but for what it could cost the city in court. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the government to clarify its compensation plan under the second phase of the 20 baht maximum electric train fare policy.…
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State Railway of Thailand ticket system shutdown for upgrades
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced a temporary shutdown of its ticketing and seat reservation system, known as D-Ticket, which was scheduled for today from 12.30am to 1.30am. This maintenance aimed to enhance service efficiency. The SRT has apologised for any inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension. The system underwent improvements to further develop its capabilities today, July 17,…
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Thailand opens bidding for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail 2026
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to open the bidding process for the high-speed railway project between Bangkok and Nong Khai in the third quarter of 2026. SRT chief Veerath Amrapal led a public consultation meeting to introduce the study, review, and analysis of the project’s bidding documents. This initiative, part of the Thai-Chinese collaboration, aims to align…
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20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks
Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…
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Patong Tunnel project advances with 16.76 billion baht budget
The Kathu-Patong expressway project, commonly referred to as the Patong Tunnel project, is advancing with a budget of 16.76 billion baht. Land expropriation has been completed and the Patong Municipality, appointed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), has started land clearing, expected to be completed by September 7. Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Municipality Council, confirmed that all…
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Runaway pig sparks traffic chaos on Rama II road (video)
Motorists on one of Bangkok’s busiest highways were left gobsmacked when a pig decided to take a leisurely stroll across multiple lanes—sparking a traffic jam worthy of a comedy sketch. Rama II Road turned into an unlikely pig pen yesterday, July 11, after a fully grown pig was spotted calmly wandering among fast-moving vehicles. The surreal spectacle was caught on…
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Rail deal steams ahead: China’s bullet trains go full Belt and Road (video)
China is hitting top speed with its global bullet train rail ambitions and Thailand is firmly on track to play a key part. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing vowed this week to ramp up international high-speed rail links as part of Beijing’s sprawling Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promising “hard connectivity” through mega-projects and “soft connectivity” via shared standards and rules.…
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New regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced new regulations for ride-hailing service providers. Drivers using such platforms must register their vehicles as public transport and possess a public transport driving licence. These new rules will be enforced 90 days following the announcement today, July 9. The Royal Gazette has published the ETDA’s announcement, specifying that digital platform services for public…
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Bangkok trains slash fares to 20 baht from October 1
Bangkok commuters are in for a welcome surprise as the government announced that, starting October 1, all electric train fares will be capped at just 20 baht per ride – a bold move to ease living costs and get more people on board the capital’s rails. Speaking today, July 8, government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap confirmed that the Cabinet had unanimously…
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Cha-am bypass opens key intersection as part of major expansion
The long-awaited opening of a new intersection on the Cha-am bypass is set to revolutionise travel between Cha-am and Hua Hin, with the newly launched overpass marking a significant step in the ongoing development of Highway 37. The overpass, located at the Huai Ta Paet intersection in Sampraya subdistrict, Cha-am district, opened to traffic at the end of last month,…
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Fast lane success: South Thailand road project ahead of schedule
Motorists and businesses in Nakhon Si Thammarat, South Thailand, can look forward to smoother journeys sooner than expected, as the Chalermphrakiat Road extension is speeding ahead of schedule. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has announced rapid progress on the massive infrastructure project, which promises to slash traffic congestion and supercharge the local economy. Montri Dechasakulsom, DRR Director General, revealed…
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