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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Fare and square: Taxi driver delivers boozy passenger to police
A Thai taxi driver decided to take a female passenger to the police station after she lured him into buying her alcohol and refused to pay for the alcohol and the transport fare. The 60 year old taxi driver, Prayong, sought assistance from officers at Chaiyaphruek Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok yesterday, May 26, after he was unable…
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New speed cameras on Lamphun-Lampang route spark debate
New speed cameras on the Lamphun-Lampang route sparked a widespread online debate. The cameras, installed along the descent from Doi Khun Tan, feature 8K resolution and enforce speed limits ranging from 50 to 90 kilometres per hour, depending on the specific location. Following a post by the Facebook page This is Lamphun which shared images of the new speed cameras…
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High-speed rail link between three airports to start this year
The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports is set to kick off later this year following a revised agreement between the state and project developers. Anan Phonimdang, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), confirmed that the SRT’s board has acknowledged the agreement. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee and the Cabinet will…
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Diesel shock: Fuel Fund revs prices to 32.44 baht per litre
The Fuel Fund today announced an increase in the diesel price by 50 satangs per litre, raising it to 32.44 baht per litre, effective tomorrow. Despite reduced expenses, the fund still faces liquidity issues, according to the Director of the Fuel Fund Office, Wisak Wattanaphap. The Fuel Fund Management Committee convened and recognised the need to enhance the liquidity of…
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US imposes major tariffs on Chinese EVs and semiconductors
The United States recently imposed substantial tariffs on Chinese products, focusing particularly on electric vehicles (EVs) and semiconductors. This move is expected to push China to expand its EV manufacturing within Asia, with Thailand emerging as a significant export hub, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). President Joe Biden’s administration cited Beijing’s unfair trade practices as the reason for…
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Wet & wild: Commuters caught in unexpected MRT downpour (video)
Bangkok commuters experienced a shocking surprise on Tuesday evening when their usual MRT Blue Line ride turned into an unexpected indoor waterfall. Passengers on the MRT Blue Line, travelling from Tao Poon to Tha Phra, were caught off guard around 6.35pm when water began pouring from the ceiling. The chaos unfolded shortly after the train left Bang Sue station, turning…
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Tired & tuk tuk: Thai woman drives sleepy taxi driver from Pattaya to airport
A Thai woman in Pattaya attracted significant attention on TikTok after sharing an amusing encounter with a sleepy taxi driver. In a video posted today, the woman, whose identity remains unknown, described how she ended up driving the taxi herself for most of the journey from Pattaya to Don Mueang International Airport. The woman had initially called the taxi at…
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Koh Samui’s new cruise terminal project anchors big investors
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that Koh Samui’s ambitious new cruise terminal project has drawn substantial interest from investors both locally and internationally. The Ministry of Transport plans to review the outcomes of a feasibility study into the project’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment model before submitting it to the cabinet for approval. Manaporn provided an update on the project’s…
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Indonesia seeks Tesla EV battery plant with Musk’s interest
Indonesia is once again courting Elon Musk’s interest in establishing an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant within its borders. After meeting with President Joko Widodo, the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, is set to consider the proposal, as confirmed by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan. Musk’s immediate response was not available following the announcement made by Luhut to…
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Thailand unveils Phuket monorail plan to improve transport
The government unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance Phuket’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a new monorail system linking the airport and Phuket Town. This initiative arises from the island’s robust economic performance, with over 300 billion baht in circulation last year. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recognised Phuket’s potential, aligning with the government’s strategy to…
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Lamborghini to debut electric supercar in Thailand by 2028
Automobili Lamborghini, the renowned Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, plans to introduce its new electric supercar to Thailand, with a global debut slated for 2028. This initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For years, Lamborghini has been actively developing electric vehicle (EV) technology to support its goal of achieving carbon neutrality, according to…
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Class commotion: Gridlock grips Nakhon Ratchasima’s first day
The scene on the first day of classes in Nakhon Ratchasima today was chaotic because of a traffic gridlock. Along the main city streets, in front of four large educational institutions in the city centre, over 14,000 students were caught in gridlocked traffic, seemingly with no end in sight. The four main schools were the Nakhon Ratchasima City School, Nakhon…
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Toll tales: Motorway myths debunked by Thailand’s collectors
Recent online discussions sparked curiosity about the daily lives of motorway toll collectors in Thailand, leading to a wave of speculation and myth-busting by the insiders themselves. The question that set the digital sphere abuzz came from a TikTok user called ummie..28. “Has anyone ever wondered how toll booth operators get to and from work?” The query ignited a flurry…
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Thai tour buses set to drive cross-border travel surge into Malaysia
Thailand’s tour buses are now set to roll into Malaysia, promising a surge in cross-border travel. According to Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, this exciting development allows Thai buses to bring in tourists, provided they secure temporary permits from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) beforehand. Speaking to the press yesterday, Loke emphasised that tour bus operators must submit…
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Phuket’s Sarasin Bridge to remain amid new construction plans
Phuket’s iconic Sarasin Bridge is set to remain untouched amid plans to construct a new bridge connecting the island to the mainland, according to Yutthana Phitak, the Chief of Phuket Highways Office. The announcement was made at a meeting held yesterday to address concerns over the Sarasin Bridge’s future, sparked by social media rumours of its potential demolition. The Sarasin…
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Chiang Mai’s rot daeng under threat from ride-hailing apps
Chiang Mai’s iconic rot daeng, or red cars, transport service is under threat as tourists are opting for alternative modes of transport, causing local operators to urge the government for assistance. The issue was highlighted in an online debate where a Facebook user expressed concerns over the survival of the rot daeng services, which are now facing stiff competition from…
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BTS skytrain faces backlash amid assault allegations
Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), responsible for the operation of the city’s Skytrain services, refuted allegations concerning lax safety measures following an assault on a woman at the Kheha station on Wednesday, May 8. The Chief Operating Officer of BTSC, Sumit Srisantum, clarified that their security personnel were quick to react as soon as they were alerted by an…
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Phuket seaplane to take flight by year-end in tourism boost
The holiday island of Phuket is slated to receive a seaplane service by the end of the year, a move steered by the Transport Ministry as an extension of the government’s aviation hub policy. Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri, revealed the development during a workshop yesterday. The aviation hub policy, Manaporn elaborated, was orchestrated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The…
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Car industry faces crunch as EV demand slumps and costs rise
The automobile industry, stretching from Europe to Asia, is bracing for a tough year ahead as rising costs and a slump in electric vehicle (EV) demand begin to take their toll on profits. Mercedes-Benz Group AG, yesterday, revealed plans to extend the lifespan of their combustion-engine cars due to underwhelming EV sales. Toyota Motor Corp, anticipating a 20% drop in…
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Shock delay: Phuket’s electrifying free bus service hits a roadblock
The eagerly awaited launch of Phuket’s electrifying free bus service has been put on hold until May 17, as revealed by the local business consortium, Phuket City Development Co Ltd (PKCD). This unexpected detour stems from licensing procedures that have hit a few bumps in the road, causing the delay. PKCD, in conjunction with the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, expressed…
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Fashioning diplomacy: Thailand’s soft power exchange with France
Thailand is set to partner with France, known for its soft power prowess in areas such as fashion and tourism, in a knowledge exchange initiative spearheaded by the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN). The deal was set in motion following inter-agency discussions between the two nations. The most recent, being the fifth high-level economic dialogue (HLED), saw the DTN Director-General…
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Euro EV sales dip but Thai operators charge ahead with optimism
Despite a recent 11% drop in electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe, Thai business operators remain optimistic about local EV market growth. They believe that the circumstances in Thailand significantly differ from those in Europe, making direct comparisons of the two markets inappropriate. The European EV market downturn, says Bloomberg, is attributed to factors such as high insurance and repair…
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Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare
A recent social media post sparked an outcry over alleged taxi meter fraud in Bangkok. A passenger complaint was highlighted, claiming an overcharge for a ride from Bang Khae to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where the fare meter read an exorbitant 1,800 baht. The incident has raised concerns about overcharging and exploitation of foreigners by taxi drivers in the city. Bangkok’s…
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Thai woman demands justice after taxi takes her to wrong airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an app-based taxi driver took her to the wrong airport in Bangkok, causing her to miss her flight. The woman, whose identity was not revealed, shared her story on Facebook, expressing frustration that both the driver and the ride-hailing app refuse to take responsibility for her losses. The driver blamed her for not…
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Automotive giants shift gears towards BEVs and HICEVs
The fight against climate change has urged automotive industry leaders to focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (HICEVs). This is a critical step in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by traditional internal combustion engines and contributing to a more sustainable transport future. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide have made the bold commitment to…
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Thailand’s MRTA tests smart parking system for free
Bangkok motorists have the opportunity to utilise the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) innovative smart parking system free of charge during its testing phase. Starting yesterday, May 1, the Orange Line’s 10-storey Park’n’Ride facility on Ramkhamhaeng Road and a parking ground at the MRTA station on Rama IX Road are open for the public to test out. The…
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Phuket’s tram feasibility study on track for smooth ride ahead
The much-awaited tram project in Phuket, set to link Phuket International Airport with the Ha Yeak Chalong intersection, is advancing steadily as its feasibility study is on track to finish within six months. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed yesterday that the 41.7-kilometre tram system’s study is being carried out by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), with intentions to present…
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Thailand probe after passengers trapped in BTS lift for an hour
Following a distressing incident where passengers were trapped in a lift at a BTS station for over an hour, Thailand’s Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote, has ordered an immediate investigation into the malfunction. The incident took place yesterday between the ticketing floor and the street level, heading towards Kheha station on the BTS Skytrain’s Sukhumvit and Silom lines. Surapong instructed…
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Thai-Lao friendship bridge to open in November
The fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, connecting Thailand’s Bueng Kan province and Laos’ Pakxan town, has been scheduled to open in November. The announcement was made by Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri. The bridge will span from Bueng Kan, Khai Si and Wisit subdistricts in the Mueang Bueng Kan district, situated across the river from Pakxan. The construction project features a…
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Toyota’s electric pickup fleet revs up Thai beaches
Toyota’s groundbreaking project in Pattaya showcases nine fully electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks revamped for public transport, marking a pivotal moment in Thailand’s automotive landscape. Reflecting Japan’s determination to reclaim the electric vehicle (EV) market throne from Chinese rivals, this initiative aims to redefine urban transit in the Land of Smiles. Surapoom Udomwong, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand…
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