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 Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Orange taxi carries motorcycle down Rama II Road, sparks outrage
An orange taxi yesterday was seen transporting a motorcycle in its back seat, with a door hanging wide open, driving down Rama II Road in Bangkok. This incident, which took place yesterday, September 24, sparked significant online criticism due to safety concerns. A viral video captured by a passerby revealed an orange taxi with its left door ajar, carrying a motorcycle…
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Thai man causes commotion at busy Bangkok intersection (video)
A Thai man in a red shirt caused a commotion at Pathumwan Intersection, Bangkok, verbally assaulting drivers and raising his hand as if to strike a car. The incident, which occurred yesterday, September 24, was captured and shared on TikTok by user @nin_slamboys. The footage shows a man dressed in a red shirt with a cross-body bag, aggressively confronting vehicles…
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Bangkok’s Red Line to extend 20-baht fare after ridership surge
The Red Line operator aims to extend its popular 20-baht flat-rate fare for another year following a significant increase in ridership during the current trial period, which expires in November. Passenger numbers on the Red Line surged by approximately 50% since the 20-baht fare was implemented in October last year, according to Suthep Punthupeng, CEO of SRT Electrified Train Co,…
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Thailand car makers must shift into gear for EV production by 2026
In a bold move that’s set to shift gears in the automotive world, the Excise Department declared that car manufacturers cashing in on the government’s electric vehicle (EV) incentives must start cranking out key components right here in Thailand by 2026. That’s the word from Excise Department Director-General Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Ekniti has laid down the law, insisting that the electric…
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Throttle trouble: Thai motorists hit the brakes on new car buys
Thai motorists are hitting the brakes on new car purchases due to economic jitters, revealed in a new report by Differential (Thailand) Co Ltd, a data analytics, technology, and research firm. The 2024 Customer Experience Report, which polled over 2,500 Thai car buyers from November 2020 to December 2022, found that a whopping 70% of respondents intend to buy a…
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New SRT governor aims to make Thailand ASEAN rail hub
Veeris Ammarapala, the newly appointed governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), pledged to transform Thailand into a leading railway service hub in the ASEAN region during his four-year tenure. Ready to begin his duties as the 20th governor, Veeris recognises the significance of his role and the SRT’s mission as the nation’s largest state-owned transportation enterprise. The SRT…
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Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic
Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…
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SRT tasked to complete Sino-Thai railway by next year
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been tasked with completing the high-speed Sino-Thai railway project by the first quarter of next year, according to the directive given to its new director, Veeris Ammarapala. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that Veeris will outline his policies to the SRT by early next month, following the Cabinet’s approval of his appointment. Veeris’s…
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Pattaya’s park and spark: New parking plan kicks off on South Road
Pattaya City is preparing to introduce new parking areas, beginning with a pilot programme on Pattaya South Road. Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn chaired a meeting yesterday with officials responsible for organising parking in the city. The meeting included city council members and traffic police from Pattaya and Bang Lamung police stations. Following the discussions, Wuttisak revealed that the city council…
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Train smash tragedy: Two dead, child miraculously survives
Tragedy struck in Chumphon today when a pickup truck was obliterated by a speeding train at a railway crossing, killing the two adults inside but miraculously sparing a child found alive amidst the wreckage. The horrifying collision occurred around 10.30am, today, September 17, when Special Express train No.40, travelling from Surat Thani to Bangkok, smashed into the vehicle just 30…
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Phatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism
A plot of land spanning 1,496 rai near Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has been earmarked for constructing a new airport, aimed at boosting tourism and transport in the southern province and its neighbours. Anticipated to become a central hub for Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, the land in Khuan Maphrao subdistrict, Mueang district is owned by the Department of…
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Thailand launches app to replace physical driving licences
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) has launched a new mobile application, QR Licence, designed to eliminate the need for motorists to carry a physical driver’s licence. This innovative app allows users to display their digital driving licence on electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. Director-General of the DLT, Seksom Akraphand highlighted the convenience offered by the app. He stated…
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Bangkok’s 14 billion baht bailout for BTS debt moves forward
Bangkok is scrambling to settle a colossal 14-billion-baht debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Council has taken a crucial step, setting up a special committee to scrutinise a draft ordinance allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to access emergency funds. Council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya convened an extraordinary meeting today, putting the spotlight on the hefty repayment…
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Thai Transport ministry to upgrade 29 piers with billion-baht budget
The Thai Ministry of Transport has initiated a comprehensive plan to upgrade 29 piers across the nation into Smart Piers with a budget of 1.214 billion baht. This initiative aims to enhance tourism and support the efficient transport of goods and passengers. Under the directive of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Ministry of Transport is…
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Bangkok Port set for a glamorous makeover: Transport ministry
Bangkok’s iconic port is about to get a dazzling transformation. The Thai Transport Ministry has unveiled plans to turn parts of the port into a buzzing entertainment complex – but there’s a catch. Officials are calling for clearer government regulations before the project can truly set sail. Speaking at a media briefing, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri made it clear…
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New 3.5 kilometres runway at U-Tapao airport to begin construction
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is set to commence construction of its second runway this year. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is currently seeking a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund the project. Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been chosen as the contractor for the runway, according to Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC. The project is being…
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Transport Co revives Thailand-Laos bus service in early November
The state-run Transport Co is set to revive the Udon Thani–Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service in early November, aiming to enhance connectivity between Thailand and Laos. Vang Vieng, located in the Lao province of Vientiane, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, limestone cliffs, and caves. Transport Co’s Acting General Manager Atthawit Rakchamroon confirmed that the decision to restart the bus…
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New marine route to slash travel time between Phuket and Krabi
To revolutionise marine transport, the Thai Marine Department has been urged to speed up the construction of four piers that will form a new Andaman marine ring route, dramatically cutting travel time between Phuket and Krabi by a staggering 90 minutes. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said this push aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s vision to improve infrastructure and…
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Thai PM urged to approve key high-speed train contract
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote is pushing for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s approval of a crucial construction contract for the long-delayed Thai-Chinese high-speed train project. This contract is one of the last two to complete the first phase. Boonchai Panich Co secured Contract 4-5, which involves constructing a 13.3-kilometre section. Despite this, the signing of the contract has been delayed…
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Thailand backs 20-baht cap on mass transit fares
Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) backs the Transport Ministry‘s initiative to cap mass transit electric train fares at 20 baht per trip, according to Secretary-General Saree Ongsomwang, who also advocates for a fair budget allocation for public bus services across all provinces. Saree stated that the 20-baht fare cap was one of Pheu Thai’s campaign promises ahead of last year’s election.…
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Nine railway projects worth 661 billion baht set for Cabinet approval
Nine railway projects totalling 661 billion baht (US$19.7 billion) in investment are set for Cabinet approval next month, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Among these is the 357-kilometre second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system. Six of the nine projects are double-track rail routes requiring 298 billion baht (US$8.9 billion). These routes include the 285-kilometre Paknam Pho-Den…
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Thailand drivers’ licences now display organ donor status
Driver’s licences in Thailand will now prominently display whether the holder is an organ donor, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced. This update, effective from August 7, aims to make the organ donation status of drivers more visible. The new licence design includes a larger Red Cross emblem with the words “organ donor” at the top right if the holder…
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Pattaya City approves 11km monorail project for 2027
Pattaya City has given the green light to an 11-kilometre monorail project, set to connect the Thap Phraya intersection on the western side to Nong Mai Kaen in the east. During the final public hearing for the proposed Purple Line monorail system on Wednesday, attendees approved the format, blueprint, and environmental impact study for the project’s second phase. Phutthaset Charoenphat,…
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Rama II Road projects set for full launch by June next year
Caretaker Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit announced a firm deadline for three ongoing construction projects on Rama II Road, setting their full launch by June next year. Suriya addressed the media yesterday, detailing the status of the projects on Highway 35, commonly known as Rama II Road, which serves as a crucial link between Bangkok and the southern provinces of Thailand.…
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Phuket: 80 million baht study for new Sarasin Bridge underway
A feasibility study amounting to 80 million baht is currently in progress for the new Sarasin Bridge project, confirmed Somkid Kittisopit, the new Director of the Phuket Highways Office. Somkid revealed the update during a meeting with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. He provided updates on five major transportation projects intended to enhance travel efficiency, reduce…
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Second-hand tsunami: Used car flood drives Thai sellers to despair
A torrent of high-quality used cars flooding the market might sound like a bargain hunter’s dream but it’s turning into a nightmare for sellers. While buyers drive off with the deals, automakers in Thailand are hitting potholes trying to move new stock, and used car dealers are struggling to keep sales engines running. The second-hand car market skidded to a…
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Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel
Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…
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Free rides on Bangkok’s upgraded BRT system for two months
Passengers can now enjoy free rides on Bangkok’s newly upgraded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the next two months, according to a transport official from the operating company. This new service, which started yesterday, September 1, features electric buses that have replaced the old ones running on natural gas for vehicles (NGV) after more than 14 years of use.…
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Bangkok’s Red and Purple Lines to get 20-baht flat fare extension
The Transport Ministry has decided to extend the 20-baht flat fare on the Red and Purple electric railway lines indefinitely, despite the policy originally being set to conclude in November. This decision comes after a 26% increase in passenger flow was observed. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the ministry remains committed to maintaining the flat fare, particularly for the…
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Indonesian motorcycle taxi drivers strike for fair pay
Over 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers initiated a strike in various Indonesian cities today, protesting against inadequate pay and demanding greater protection from what they deem unfair practices by ride-sharing firms. The drivers, clad in their distinctive green jackets, converged outside the Communications Ministry and near the Jakarta offices of Indonesia’s largest tech company GoTo and Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and…
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