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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Bangkok to transfer Green Line BTS to government to unify rail managemen
Bangkok is planning to transferring ownership of the Green Line BTS Skytrain to the central government to streamline rail management, reduce the financial burden and free up funding for other public services. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said yesterday, August 3, that the Cabinet approved the Green Line transfer in principle about two months ago. The proposal would shift ownership of…
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Thailand mulls banning petrol tuk tuks in central Bangkok
The Department of Land Transport is seeking public feedback on a proposal to ban petrol-powered tuk tuks in central Bangkok as part of efforts to reduce air and noise pollution. The proposed ban on petrol tuk tuks in Bangkok would apply to the inner city, where many of the capital’s major tourist attractions and historic landmarks, such as Wat Phra…
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Airport Rail Link resumes after second disruption in a week
Airport Rail Link services between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport returned to normal today, July 30, after a power outage disrupted operations for more than 16 hours, although some passengers continued to report delays during the morning commute. The Airport Rail Link disruption began on the evening of yesterday, July 29, after a power failure affected services between Lat…
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Airport Rail Link faces technical fault, leaving only one train in service
Passengers travelling to Suvarnabhumi International Airport are advised to allow extra travel time or use alternative transport after the Airport Rail Link disruption reduced train services this morning, July 22. Airport Rail Link announced on its official Facebook page at about 5am that a technical fault had occurred on a reversing track within its depot, leaving only one train available…
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M82 motorway nears opening, free trial starts in August
Motorists will soon be able to use the M82 motorway free of charge after the Department of Highways confirmed yesterday, July 6, that the new route is on track to open for public trial use in August. The 25-kilometre motorway connects Bang Khun Thian, Ekkachai and Ban Phaeo. Drivers will be able to use the entire route for free for…
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Thailand introduces locally made electric train in effort to reduce imports
The first electric train made in Thailand was handed over to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) today, July 3, at Bangkok Railway Station, marking progress in domestic rail manufacturing and efforts to reduce reliance on imports. The prototype train was developed through a collaboration led by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, with participation from more than 30 private…
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Bangkok train fares capped at 45 baht under new ticketing scheme
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a unified ticketing system for Bangkok’s electric rail train network, capping fares at 17 to 45 baht per trip regardless of how many lines a passenger uses, with a target launch date of January 1, 2027. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also serves as deputy prime minister, announced the decision yesterday, June 23. He said the…
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Cabinet asked to back MRTA takeover of Bangkok rail lines
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is seeking Cabinet approval in principle today for a plan to place Bangkok’s electric rail network under a single management body, a move intended to replace the current Bangkok BTS fare structure with a unified 40-baht cap across all lines from January 1, 2027. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced yesterday that the ministry would ask the…
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Ride-hailing apps given one month to improve safety standards
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has given ride-hailing platforms one month to improve passenger safety measures or risk licence suspension, as new rules are prepared for app-based taxi services. The planned measures include requiring drivers to hold public driving licences, installing CCTV cameras in vehicles, and providing passenger insurance coverage. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the measures are aimed at improving…
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Thailand to save energy by cutting or reducing street lights on rural roads
Thailand’s Department of Rural Roads announced it will shut down or reduce street lighting on selected rural highways nationwide from May 1 as part of an energy-saving measure linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The Director-General of the Rural Roads Department, Pichit Hoonsiri, confirmed on April 25 that the Thailand street light reduction plan aims to manage national…
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SRT shortens train booking period to 90 days to reduce unused seats
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reduced the advance ticket sales period from 180 days to 90 days today, April 24, to improve seat management and reduce unused bookings. The SRT announced the adjustment on its official Facebook page today, April 24, saying the revised booking period is intended to make seat reservations more efficient and better reflect current passenger…
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Koh Chang ferry operators raise fares as diesel climbs
Koh Chang ferry fares will increase from April 10 after operators secured approval for the first price rise in 10 years, citing the ongoing energy crisis. Trat Governor Piriya Chatadilok met ferry operators serving routes from the mainland to Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood to discuss rising operating costs. According to the latest fuel price update today, April…
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Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan ferry fares increase after fuel price jump
Travellers heading to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan now face higher ferry fares after a sharp hike in fuel prices across Thailand prompted a ferry operator in Surat Thani province to raise ticket prices. Seatran Ferry, which operates services between Don Sak Pier in the mainland of Surat Thani and the two islands, first announced a fare adjustment on…
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Bangkok canal and river boats to raise fares by 2 baht from March 30
Passenger boat operators on Bangkok’s Saen Saep Canal and the Chao Phraya River will increase fares by two baht from Monday, March 30, citing higher diesel costs after an 18% jump in fuel prices. Family Transport (2002) Ltd, which operates the Saen Saep Canal service between Wat Sri Boonruang and Phan Fah Lilat Bridge, said fares will rise from 11-21…
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Chiang Mai tram bidding set for 2027, services targeted to begin in 2032
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) plans to open bidding for the Chiang Mai tram project in 2027, with construction expected to start in 2028 and the service targeted to open in 2032. The Chiang Mai light rail or tram project was first raised in 2017 and later approved by the Cabinet in 2018. Previous reports put the…
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SRT Red Line Salaya–Nakhon Pathom extension mapped for 2033 opening
Thailand’s State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is advancing plans for the Red Line Salaya–Nakhon Pathom extension, a proposed 25.3-kilometre route with a target opening year of 2033. SRT is also moving ahead with two Red Line extensions scheduled to begin construction in 2026, with contract signings planned for March and June 2026. The projects include the northern extension from Rangsit…
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Bangkok public buses criticised for refusing to serve disabled passenger
Thai Smile Bus faced online criticism after a viral video showed its buses repeatedly ignored a disabled man on a wheelchair until the man had to block the road yesterday, March 12. The Mirror Foundation posted the clip on its official Facebook page, showing a disabled man in a wheelchair struggling to get a bus stop. In its caption, the…
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Air India Express plane stuck on runway after hard landing in Phuket
An Air India Express flight carrying 133 passengers made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport today, March 11, leaving the aircraft disabled on the runway and disrupting airport operations. No injuries were reported. Tourist police were notified at about 11.20am after an aircraft encountered a landing problem at the airport. The plane was identified as Air India Express flight IX938…
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Long queues at Suvarnabhumi linked to check-in malfunction
A clarification was issued yesterday, March 3, after images of long Suvarnabhumi Airport queues circulated online following reports of a Thai Airways check-in problem a day earlier, March 2. The airport explained that the congestion occurred because March 2 was the first day Thai Airways switched its baggage rules to the “Piece Concept”, introducing a baggage limit based on the number…
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Thai Airways denies shipping F-35 parts to Israel amid protests
Thai Airways has responded to online criticism linked to protests in Australia, after activists accused the airline of transporting F-35 parts to Israel, saying that customs, not airlines, have the authority to inspect goods for legality. Chai Iamsiri, chief executive officer of Thai Airways International plc, addressed the issue after it circulated on social media. View this post on…
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Thailand’s new year holiday 2026 sees over eight million travelers, fewer accidents and smooth nationwide transport
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport. From December 30 2025 to January 1 2026, a total of more than 8.2 million passengers used public transport nationwide. Although this figure represents a 3.9…
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Bus terminals packed as 134,000 travel home for New Year
Bus terminals across Bangkok were crowded on Friday as tens of thousands of people began traveling home for the New Year holiday. Transport authorities reported heavy demand on the first day of the holiday exodus, with more services added to prevent passengers from being stranded. Mr. Atthawit Rakchamroon, managing director of Transport Co., Ltd. (BKS), said travel volumes on December…
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Motorway 7 and 9 go toll-free over New Year holidays
Yesterday, December 23, the Cabinet approved free travel on Motorway 7 and Motorway 9 from December 30 to January 5, a move aimed at easing traffic congestion during the busy New Year holiday period. Speaking after the Cabinet meeting at Government House yesterday, deputy government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit said the decision followed a proposal by the Ministry of Transport…
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Thailand and Laos strengthen ties with fifth friendship bridge
Thailand and Laos are set to open the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge linking Bueng Kan and Bolikhamsai on Thursday, as the two neighbours celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. The opening ceremony comes as both countries highlight the bridge as an important step in improving cross-border connectivity, which officials say is expected to support people’s livelihoods in both countries.…
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Transport ministry eyes 40-baht day pass for train lines
The Ministry of Transport is moving forward with a proposal to introduce a 40-baht all-day train pass for Bangkok’s Purple and Red electric lines. Designed to ease commuting costs and encourage regular use, the plan will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval next week. An official source revealed the pass would allow unlimited travel for a flat fee of…
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Thailand’s airport rail deal faces legal showdown
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has raised concerns over proposed contract changes to a major airport rail project, warning of legal risks if the deal is altered. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also chairs the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, has called for a balanced and legally sound resolution to the dispute surrounding the 224 billion baht project linking Don Mueang,…
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Phuket boat taxi trial hits delay but promises smoother trips
Phuket’s boat taxi project, aimed at easing traffic for tourists and locals, has been delayed, pushing back the start of its much-anticipated trial run. The pilot run of Phuket’s boat taxi service, a project touted as a game-changer for the island’s notorious traffic problems, has been pushed back to mid-December. The trial, originally scheduled to launch earlier, will now take…
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Patong tunnel will be built, says transport minister amid backlash
Thailand’s transport minister has confirmed a long-delayed tunnel project will proceed as planned, following public backlash and confusion over recent changes. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn moved swiftly to calm the storm, releasing multiple statements through Phuket’s Public Relations Department late Sunday, November 2, to reassure residents and business leaders that the government remains committed to the…
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Thai minister scraps Patong tunnel plan in shock U-turn
Thailand’s transport ministry has overhauled a long-delayed tunnel project in Phuket, slashing its size, scrapping tolls, and shifting control. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, revealed a dramatic overhaul of the long-awaited project, cutting the tunnel’s width from 17 metres to just 10 and removing the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) from the equation altogether. The Department…
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Bangkok rolls out 40 baht all-day train pass from December
Bangkok commuters will soon enjoy unlimited daily train travel on two key lines under a new 40 baht flat-fare scheme announced by the government. Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn made the announcement at the Government House yesterday, October 29, confirming the fare scheme will be proposed to the Cabinet by November 18, with implementation expected from December 1. “The new fare…
