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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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EV Market soars as Thailand and Indonesia take the lead in Asia
In a global trend, electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily gaining traction in the worldwide automobile market, with significant growth realised in Asia-ASEAN countries, specifically Thailand and Indonesia. This comes as per a study undertaken by the BloombergNEF research agency. Ideally placed at the forefront of Asia-Pacific transportation, Senior Analyst of BloombergNEF, Allen Tom Abraham, projected a sharp increase in the…
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SRT relocation: Thai railway plans 200km move amid billion baht overhaul
The Thai State Railway (SRT) is shifting gears, planning to relocate its locomotive maintenance and production facilities closer to Bangkok, within a distance of 200 kilometres. The SRT relocation move is sparked by the forthcoming transformation of their current premises in Makkasan into a bustling, mixed-use space which will host a public park, an SRT historical exhibit, and a city…
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Passenger’s botched domestic flight sparks questions about airline accountability
A heated online discussion was sparked when a disgruntled passenger shared his exasperating domestic flight experience. His intended short journey from Don Mueang International Airport to Trang, taking off at 7.35am yesterday and originally slated to land in Trang by 9am, turned out to be a distressing mid-air marathon caused by an unexpected chain of issues springing up. As the…
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SRT modernisation: State railway plans 1.5 billion baht investment in electric trains
In an attempt to modernise and become more efficient, Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) has shifted its attention towards procuring electric trains as opposed to previously planned diesel locomotives. In the words of SRT’s head, Nirut Maneephan, the altered proposal has gained the green light from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and the SRT modernisation plan with an…
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Yellow Line Monorail to face new fare regulations from July 3
In recent developments, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri confirmed yesterday’s Cabinet approval for the initiation of fare collection on the Yellow Line monorail from July 3. The fares, determined by five newly drafted regulations from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), will range from 15 baht to a higher limit of 45 baht for the Yellow Line’s extensive track…
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Bangkok traffic: New automatic system launched to ease city congestion
As a strategic initiative aimed at improving vehicle movement, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently initiated an automatic traffic-management system. This pilot project focuses on optimising traffic across four significant roads within the capital city. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, divulged that the modern system is to be installed at 13 intersections on key city routes, counting Rama VI Road,…
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Train collision in Ratchaburi injures 3 and disrupts services
A train collision occurred between a freight train and a parked lorry near the Srakosinaray Station in the Ratchaburi province, injuring three State Railway of Thailand (SRT) staff members this morning. The accident caused travel delays on the Thonburi-Namtok line, with some passengers having to be transferred by road vehicles to their destinations. At 5.40am, freight train no. 725 ICD,…
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Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail endorsed by PM for easy city commute
Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail route was given a stamp of approval today by Thailand’s Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who described the new mode of transport as “comfortable.” Setting off from the Yellow Line railway depot on Srinagarindra Road, he and his entourage embarked on a 45 minute journey covering the entire monorail line and reaching Lat Phrao. Though the…
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Green Line extensions: Operator anticipates 20 billion baht debt repayment
Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) Chairman Keeree Kanjanapas expressed optimism regarding the repayment of overdue debts by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for the operation and maintenance of the Green Line extensions. Following a meeting with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt yesterday, Keeree said the discussions were encouraging, and he anticipates a 20 billion baht repayment from the BMA. Keeree…
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Bolt invests 300 million baht in Thai expansion amid ride-hailing competition
Estonian tech firm Bolt is set to invest 300 million baht in Thailand to bolster its presence in the country as part of its Southeast Asian expansion strategy. This move follows Bolt’s recent funding round, which raised 628 million euros at a valuation of 7.4 billion euros, earmarked for geographical growth. The company’s expansion adds to the fierce competition in…
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Bangkok taxi tango: Bad boy driver tries to rip off South Korean tourist
Another bad boy Bangkok taxi driver was caught engaging in unscrupulous deeds, this time attempting to rip off a South Korean tourist, charging the foreigner 700 baht for a 30-minute trip. Fortunately, the South Korean man saw through the taxi driver’s antics and paid him only 300 baht. The taxi driver was furious with this and went into meltdown, cursing…
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DRT urges partial Pink Line monorail launch to ease Bangkok traffic
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has called on the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to partially open the main routes of the Pink Line monorail to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The 34.5-kilometre MRT Pink Line is set to connect Khae Rai in Nonthaburi with Min Buri district in east Bangkok via Ram Inthra Road, with…
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Free rides on Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail during June trial
The (MRTA) announced that a one-month trial run of the Yellow Line monorail will start on Saturday, June 3, offering free rides for commuters during this period. The decision was made during a meeting between the Department of Rail Transport and Eastern Bangkok Monorail (EBM), the company responsible for the line’s concession. Staff members working on the Yellow Line will…
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Thailand’s Pink Line monorail project faces third extension, delays completion to 2024
The completion date for Thailand‘s Pink Line monorail project has been pushed back by 345 days, marking the third extension granted by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The new estimated finish date is now set for August 2024, as opposed to the previously anticipated July this year, Bangkok Post reported. Sarawut Songsivilai, Highways Department director-general and MRTA…
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Thai Airways – Thai Smile merger gets green light
Debt-ridden Thai Airways International (THAI) will merge its subsidiary Thai Smile into its main company as part of its overall restructuring plan. The merger is set to be completed this year. THAI reported that their creditor’s committee gave the merger the green light yesterday. Now, the plan will be put before Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and the Civil Aviation Authority…
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Bangkok Airways to revive flights to Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand
Mae Hong Son Airport in northern Thailand became a ghost town after Nok Air scrapped the only remaining commercial route to the airport last month. But much to the delight of local tourism operators, Bangkok Airways is planning to revive flights to the province. Bangkok Airways is looking to start flying between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son via Lampang thrice…
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Thai Vietjet launches premium lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Budget airline Thai Vietjet opened ‘The Coral Executive Lounge’ at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, where passengers can indulge in a range of premium services while waiting for their journey to begin. Services offered at the lounge include food and refreshments, snacks, a bar, WiFi, flight information services, private rooms, neck and shoulder massages, newspapers and magazines, televisions, and disabled…
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SAS to launch direct Copenhagen – Bangkok flights
Danish flag carrier SAS Scandinavian Airlines will launch a direct route between Copenhagen in Denmark and Bangkok in Thailand in October this year to meet increasing demand, the airline announced on Tuesday. SAS first opened a route from Copenhagen to Bangkok way back in 1949, which was discontinued in 2014. Bangkok was SAS’s first-ever destination in East Asia. The relaunched…
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Unhinged Bangkok taxi driver threatens to murder passenger
A Thai woman took to social media to reveal that a seemingly unhinged taxi driver in Bangkok threatened to murder her because her destination was too far. The woman posted a video on her TikTok account, @toeyly.n, to recount her frightening experience with a taxi driver who threatened to kill her. The video caption said… “Warning! Taxi driver threatens to…
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DLT recommends 6 ride-hailing apps to order a motorbike taxi in Thailand
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Thailand is by motorbike taxi, and Grab isn’t the only option. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) recommends ordering a motorbike taxi (“Win”) safely and legally using six mobile applications. The DLT has certified six applications providing motorbike taxi services so far, reports BangkokBizNews… Hello Phuket Service Bonku Asia…
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3 words banned at Thailand’s airports
Unless you want to land yourself a prison sentence and a hefty fine, there are three words you should avoid saying in Thai airports and during flights, warns Airports of Thailand (AOT). AOT took to Facebook yesterday to remind passengers of their policy of what is unacceptable to say and do in an airport following the controversy caused by a…
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Pattaya tourism boom leads to a traffic nightmare
As tourism in Pattaya continues to recover at an incredible pace, the city is faced with a downside – heavy traffic. Two significant bottlenecks were observed this month: one on Thepprasit Road, close to the Kaan and Colosseum theatres, and another on Second Road close to the South Road intersection. Additionally, areas such as Soi Regional Land in south Pattaya…
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Grab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’
Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who…
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Thailand’s Raja Ferry temporarily suspends Pha Ngan – Sumui route
Raja Ferry Port Company suspended all ferry services between Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand from Sunday – Wednesday (April 23-25). The company made an official announcement on Saturday… “Raja Ferry Port will suspend ferry service from Pha Ngan to Samui and Samui to Pha Ngan route from 23-25 April 2023. Customers who…
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Nok Air makes final flight to Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand
Nok Air flew from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son Airport in northern Thailand for the final time yesterday, bidding farewell to the route for good. The province, home to the popular backpacker town Pai, is now only accessible by road since Nok Air was the only airline servicing the airport commercially. Governor of Mae Hong Son province Chettha Mosikarat, Tourism Authority…
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Thailand’s DDPM reveals total traffic accident results of ‘Seven Deadly Days’
Thai officials have now revealed the results of traffic accidents from April 11 to 17. This period is known as the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran Festival. Data from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) revealed that there were 2,203 road accidents, 2,208 injuries, and 264 deaths during this period. On April 17, the last day of…
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Airline industry blames rising costs for expensive airfares, is this true?
Expensive airfares look set to stay for the foreseeable future according to the airline industry. The industry is trotting out the usual excuses that the recent spike in expensive ticket prices is attributed to a rise in operational costs, including surging fuel prices and other factors. Nok Air CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, cited a surge in prices for aviation supply chain…
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Thailand prepares for 14000+ flights this Songkran
Thailand will facilitate 14,180 domestic and international flights over the Songkran holidays, from today until April 17, according to the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai). This represents a 66% increase in flights compared with the same period last year. On average, there will be 2,026 flights per day, Aerothai President Nopposit Chakrapitak revealed yesterday. The president said Thailand’s aviation industry…
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10-wheelers banned on six roads to reduce Songkran traffic and accidents
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent accidents, the use of large vehicles with ten or more wheels has been prohibited on six roads during the Songkran holidays. The national police chief, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, announced his role as head of the traffic police after it was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, reported The Nation. The restricted…
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Thai auto industry shows resilience in 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show
The 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show came to an end on Sunday, and the numbers show that the Thai automotive industry is making a strong comeback. Car and motorcycle bookings increased by more than 35% year-on-year to 45,983 units, a figure attributed to an improving economy and the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). Jaturon Komolmit, Vice-Chairman of Grand Prix…
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