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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Pattaya’s traffic nightmare: Deputy mayor tackles commute delays
In a bid to combat the chaos caused by the never-ending construction along Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya, Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai took matters into his own hands, leading a team on a mission to bring relief to frustrated commuters. Accompanied by reps from the contracted company, Pattaya police, and Engineering Office staff, the Deputy Mayor rolled up his sleeves and descended…
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Changan Automobile targets selling 20,000 EVs in Thailand this year
With positive optimism about the electric vehicle (EV) market in Thailand, Changan Automobile, a renowned manufacturer based in Chongqing, China, has set an ambitious plan. The company aims to sell 20,000 EVs in Thailand within this year and has designated the nation as its strategic export hub. Shen Xinghua, who chairs Changan Auto Sales (Thailand), revealed that the Thai government’s…
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Parking pandemonium: Patong police in vehicle violation crackdown to unclog traffic in Phuket hotspot
In a bold move to ease traffic congestion, Patong Police initiated a crackdown on vehicles flouting parking regulations in Phuket’s most bustling tourist locale. The campaign kicked off on Friday, January 19, at 9am, when officers began issuing penalties to vehicles improperly parked on Ratchapathanusorn Road. Interestingly, this is the same street that houses the Patong Municipality offices. Patong’s Police…
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Thailand expects major rise in EV imports under new four-year plan
The director-general of the Excise Department projected a significant increase in electric vehicle (EV) imports, with an estimated 175,000 units expected to reach Thailand within two years. This comes as part of a four-year plan, EV3.5 (2024-27), which requires importers to establish a production base in the country from 2024-25 onwards, to replace imports with domestically produced EVs. The plan…
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VGI’s bold move to dominate BTS Lines
In the fast-paced world of out-of-home (OOH) media, VGI Plc is gearing up for innovative plans for advertising space on Bangkok’s bustling BTS lines. VGI’s CEO, Nelson Leung reveals the plans. “Global media is evolving but targeting the right audience at the right time remains paramount.” With the OOH sector rebounding from pandemic challenges, VGI sets its sights on exploiting…
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New 6.5 kilometre six-lane road to link Phutthamonthon Sai 4 with Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi Motorway
The Department of Highways in Thailand embarked upon a new project to construct a 6.5-kilometre-long six-lane road that will link Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road with the Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi Motorway. The new roadway is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing roads and foster urbanisation in the adjoining areas. The highway will extend through four districts in Nonthaburi and into…
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Bangkok residents call for 20 baht fare amid uproar over 100 baht BTS cost
The fare for a journey on the BTS Skytrain from Asoke to Minburi station has been set at 100 baht, causing uproar among Bangkok residents. They argue that it is nearly a third of the daily minimum wage and have started calling for the implementation of the 20 baht fare policy across all routes, previously promised by the government during…
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MFP MP Suphanat makes recommendations to improvements at Mo Chit 2
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Bangkok District 9 Suphanat Minchainan made recommendations for improving the escalators and lifts at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal. Suphanat suggested that the deputy minister of transport and executives should listen to service users in terms of the issues that have arisen regarding the station and that they shouldn’t rely on their judgment. He…
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Shana E-Sport’s daring tune-up turns Ranger Raptor into a trucking masterpiece (video)
In the realm of Thai automotive enthusiasm, pickup trucks reign supreme, with the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux dominating sales charts. Not to be left in the dust, the Ford Ranger claims its stake in this truck-loving nation, and thanks to one daring tuner, Shana E-Sport from Chon Buri, it just underwent a jaw-dropping transformation. This Thai tuning maestro recently…
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Thai lithium deposits outmatch global counterparts boosting EV production
A Thai geochemistry specialist recently confirmed that two primary lithium deposits located in Phang Nga hold an elevated concentration of lithium, surpassing many other significant deposits worldwide. This discovery reinforces the Thai government’s ambitious strategy to establish Thailand as a key producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and their components. The lithium sites in this southern province have been identified by…
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Thai Automotive Institute boosts EV industry with new test track
The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) is set to boost Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, constructing a test track to provide manufacturers with a range of testing services, subsequently becoming a new revenue stream for the country. This track, under construction in Chachoengsao, is designed to facilitate a broad spectrum of tests including braking and parking brake performance, speed, distance and…
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State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…
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Deputy Transport Minister strategises to enhance Chiang Mai’s transport systems
Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister, made a strategic visit to Chiang Mai yesterday to deliberate on the ministry’s endeavour to enhance the efficiency of the province’s transport systems. The meeting included Nirat Pongsitthaworn, the Chiang Mai Governor, along with representatives from corresponding sectors. Surapong emphasised the importance of optimising the province’s transportation system for the city’s economy, particularly in…
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Pedestrian bridge collapses onto dump truck on Northbound Highway 32
A pedestrian bridge in Ang Thong‘s Mueang district came crashing down onto a dump truck, causing a significant obstruction on the main northbound highway, Highway 32. The incident unfolded around 7am today when the dump truck, with its body unintentionally raised, collided with the footbridge. The Department of Highways reported that the truck was en route north on Highway 32,…
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New Bangkok bus terminal set for Bang Sue area
The Transport Ministry is working on a project to construct a new Bangkok Bus Terminal in the Bang Sue vicinity, close to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. This decision came to light during a House debate over the 2024 fiscal budget, where Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Minchaiynunt, the Move Forward Party MP for the Chatuchak,…
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Thailand transport minister denies loss claims over 20 baht metro fare
Thailand Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit refuted claims that the policy of charging a flat fare of 20 baht for all metro lines would result in the government incurring a loss of several billion baht each year. This statement was made during the parliamentary session to consider the draft budget for the fiscal year 2024, following opposition MPs’ criticism of this…
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Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…
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Potential lithium reserves discovered in Phang Nga for EV industry
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines has identified potential lithium reserves in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung district, which could be instrumental in catering to the growing demands of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Initial surveys indicate the presence of the element in the Ruangkiet area, where pegmatite, a rock from which lepidolite is derived, was discovered. Lepidolite is a…
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New year sees considerable drop in road accidents across Thailand
The new year holiday period witnessed a significant drop in road accidents, with 212 fatalities and 1,860 injuries, according to statistics from the Department of Land Transport. The figures indicate a considerable decrease from the previous year, with the death toll and injury count originating from 1,839 traffic mishaps that occurred from December 29 to January 2. Among the provinces,…
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Defective wheels result in temporary reduction of Yellow Line monorail service
Defective Yellow Line monorail trains have been recalled and are no longer in use as they undergo comprehensive safety checks, according to Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister. The operator of the Yellow Line, Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co, has been instructed to conduct intensive safety inspections on all trains before reinstating them into service. This directive was issued following an…
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Thai industries foresee slow growth, tourism still below 2019 levels
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) anticipates sluggish growth for the steel and internal combustion engine (ICE) industries this year, whilst the tourism sector remains unlikely to reach 2019 levels. FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul emphasised the need for economic measures to support certain industries due to these projected declines. The steel and iron industry faces a slowdown as state construction…
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Yellow Line’s wheel deal: MRT mishap takes a detour, hits taxi, driver escapes unscathed near Bangkok
After the MRT Pink Line mishap a week ago, another train accident was reported yesterday when the wheel of an MRT Yellow Line carriage fell off and hit a taxi on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Fortunately, the driver escaped any injury. Samrong Nuea Police Station officers received a report of the accident at 6.30pm yesterday, January…
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Thai Smile Bus to decommission gas vehicles, focuses on electric fleet
Thai Smile Bus (TSB) company announced its commitment to clean air and environmental sustainability with plans to decommission its entire fleet of 350 natural gas-fuelled vehicles (NGV) buses by the end of the month. Kulpornpath Wongmajarapinya, TSB Chief Executive Officer, revealed that over 95% of the NGV buses have been already phased out, including the latest batch of 58 buses…
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Thailand’s new year road toll: 190 deaths and 1,574 injuries
Thailand witnessed 1,570 traffic mishaps from December 29 till yesterday, January 1, claiming 190 lives and injuring 1,574 individuals. Kanchanaburi province recorded the highest number of accidents and casualties during this period. The Department of Medical Services’ director-general, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, revealed the unsettling new year road toll figures. He stated that Kanchanaburi had 57 traffic accidents, resulting in 56 injuries.…
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New Year’s Day in Phuket sees six in hospital after road accidents
Phuket’s New Year’s Day celebrations were marred by the news of road accidents that resulted in the injury of six individuals, as confirmed by the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket). The report, released on this morning, provided details of the unfortunate incidents. The injured, constituting four men and two women, were victims of the six acknowledged accidents…
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Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Thai transport minister considers tougher DUI penalties
The Thai Ministry of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, recently made public his contemplation to escalate the penalties for fatal accidents due to driving under the influence (DUI). The proposed amendment in the law, announced on December 27, would see the current imprisonment duration of three to ten years potentially increase to a substantial 12 to 15 years. This initiative was purportedly…
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Road safety appeal amid surge of New Year holidaymakers in Thailand
The People’s Safety Foundation has made an appeal to the government for stricter safety policies to mitigate road accidents as Thailand gears up for the New Year’s celebrations. Nikorn Chamnong, the foundation’s chairman, and a List MP of the Chartthaipattana Party voiced concerns over the expected surge of holidaymakers due to the easing of the pandemic. He stated… “This poses…
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New year exodus triggers traffic on Phaholyothin and Mittraphap Roads
Traffic started to intensify on both Phaholyothin and Mittraphap Roads as city dwellers began their exodus from Bangkok to celebrate the New Year in their hometowns. By 10.30pm on yesterday vehicles were moving at speeds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour on Phaholyothin Road heading towards Nong Khae, Saraburi, although there were occasional slowdowns. As vehicles approached Saraburi city,…
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Motorway No 81 now operational, offering free passage until next Wednesday
The new segment of Motorway No 81, also known as M81, is now operational and offering free passage to motorists until next Wednesday. This recent development connects Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai district with Kanchanaburi province. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote. Surapong expressed that this initiative was intended as a New Year present for…
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