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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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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Traffic surge on Asia Highway as Bangkok residents return home
The volume of traffic on the Asia Highway, passing through the province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is increasing, as people residing in Bangkok begin to return to their hometowns and visit northern provinces. This marked increase in travel is expected to continue throughout the day until late into the evening. Reports this morning from the Asia Highway eastwards, passing…
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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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Phuket taxi driver drives away foreign woman over air conditioning dispute
A Thai taxi driver faced criticism for a viral video of him chasing away a foreign passenger by pulling her out of his cab. The driver defended himself saying the foreign woman kicked his car door over an air conditioning dispute. The Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning so brutal, Phuket province), shared a video when a Thai taxi driver pulling…
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Bangkok BTS accepts WeChat Pay
In a move set to revolutionise the travel experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok, the city’s iconic BTS Skytrain has opened its gates to the Chinese WeChat Pay. Tourists will be able to enjoy a seamless journey across the vibrant city as this alternative payment option takes centre stage at every ticket vending machine across all 68 stations on the…
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Bangkok BTS Skytrain extends service hours to 2am on December 31
Bangkok BTS Skytrain will extend moments of happiness for the passengers with extended service hours from midnight to 2am on the last day of the year December 31. The board director of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company, Surapong Laoha-unya, announced yesterday, December 19, that the BTS Skytrain will extend its operating hours at all stations and lines on on…
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Eco-friendly e-pedicabs revolutionise Vientiane’s transport scene
In a groundbreaking move towards a greener, quieter Vientiane, the Laos-Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project has unveiled an innovative non-motorised initiative set to transform the city centre. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Department of Transport, the project aims to combat air and noise pollution. Introducing a novel addition to the bustling streets of Vientiane, the project…
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Electric dreams charge ahead: Aiming for a ‘shocking’ 359,000 EVs in the next year
Aiming for a substantial boost in their electric vehicle (EV) production, Thai authorities have set a target of 359,000 units for the coming year. This ambitious plan is supported by a 39.5 billion baht investment, as confirmed by industry insiders. The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) is optimistic that the state’s EV policy, coupled with incentives for investment, will lead…
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Revolutionary roadmap revealed: Thailand’s expressway blitz to slash emissions
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) unwrapped an audacious 10-year blueprint set to roll out 200 kilometres of spanking new expressways, aimed at slashing a whopping 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The ambitious plan is the key to unlocking Thailand’s carbon neutrality by 2050, as revealed by EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk at the electrifying Sustainability Forum 2024 hosted…
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Japanese car makers risk lagging behind in EV production, warns Thai PM
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, issued a cautionary note to Japanese car manufacturers, warning that they risk falling behind in the industry unless they accelerate the production of electric vehicles (EVs). This comes as Chinese competitors continue to gain a substantial market share in Southeast Asia. The business mogul turned political figure voiced his concerns during an…
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Thai taxi turmoil: Fare fight leaves traveller abandoned on road to Pattaya (video)
A Thai woman took to social media to share her experience with another one of Thailand’s notorious taxi drivers who abandoned her in the middle of the journey to Pattaya after she refused to pay more when he tried to hike the fare mid-journey. The victim shared a video of herself arguing with the taxi driver on her TikTok account,…
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New M81 motorway segment open for new year holiday traffic in Thailand
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that a portion of the new M81 motorway, set to connect Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi province, will be accessible to drivers over the new year holiday season. Suriya and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin were in Kanchanaburi on Saturday, where they conversed with officials about the province’s development. During the period from December…
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Shocking stop: Thai Smile Buses Co., face backlash as passengers left stranded
The Thai Smile Bus Company faced a barrage of criticism as their electric buses ground to a halt, leaving passengers stranded and services disrupted. The uproar prompted an investigation into the sudden cessation of operations, revealing a deep-seated issue affecting the company’s ability to provide a reliable service. The Corporate Communications Department of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited officially addressed…
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Bangkok’s Pink Line monorail to open on December 18: Free rides until January 2
Passengers can now embark on a thrilling ride through Bangkok‘s Pink Line monorail, soaring 34.5 kilometres from northwest to northeast. Offering an early holiday treat, the city is generously providing free rides until January 2, creating a buzz of excitement among locals and tourists alike. Mark your calendars for the grand opening on Monday, December 18. The Pink Line, an…
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Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
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Thailand’s transport ministry commits to 100% public electric vehicles
A bold step towards a greener future was taken by Thailand’s Transport Ministry as it committed to transforming its entire fleet of public transport vehicles into a 100% electric. The initiative, as announced by the Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, begins with the electric conversion of the limousine service of the Airports of Thailand (AoT). This development was shared during Suriya’s…
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Bangkok: Flat fare of 20 baht for Red and Purple line interchange
The Transport Ministry announced the implementation of a flat fare of 20 baht for passengers interchanging between the Red and Purple lines using EMV contactless payment. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote unveiled the scheme yesterday, November 30, stating that it is in line with a Cabinet resolution from October 16, which authorised the ministry to establish a 20-baht flat fare…
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Phuket president seeks solutions for traffic, proposes electric buses
Phuket’s traffic woes might soon see a respite, with Rewat Areerob, the President of Phuket’s Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), urging Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to implement measures to ease the city’s road congestion. Additionally, Rewat is advocating for the introduction of electric buses in Phuket Town, under the PPAO’s jurisdiction. Rewat yesterday played host to travel experts and policy planning…
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Minibus manager fined 5,000 baht for leaving Thai YouTuber stranded (video)
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) imposed a 5,000 baht fine on a minibus station manager after he refused to serve a Thai YouTuber, leading to the victim being stranded at a station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Thai travel YouTuber, Worrachat “Chiang” Thamrongwarangkun, shared his bad experience with his followers on Facebook and YouTube (Chiang Paiyoonaima). Chiang…
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Thai auto market anticipates price war as Chinese EVs flood in
The Thai auto market is bracing for a potential price war as the influx of affordable electric vehicles (EVs), mainly from China, threatens the traditional dominance of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Over the next few years, the competition is set to escalate as two to three Chinese automakers plan to roll out their EVs in Thailand, capitalising on the…
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7km bridge over Songkhla Lake to boost southern Thailand transport
Plans are underway to construct a 7 kilometre bridge over Songkhla Lake starting next year, a project aimed at enhancing regional transport in southern Thailand. This proposal includes a commitment to protect the local environment and wildlife, particularly the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins living within the lake. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has formed a pact with four other state…
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Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research
Chang’an Automobile, China’s leading automotive company, received encouragement from the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to invest in the research and development of electric vehicle (EV) parts in Thailand. This came about after a meeting between Phumtham and Churu Huarong, Chang’an Automobile’s Chairman today. As a prominent player in the automotive industry, Chang’an Automobile has a…
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Taxi cooperatives dispute: Phuket vice governor urges calm
Tensions have been simmering amongst taxi cooperatives in Phuket, as a recent meeting saw the island’s vice governor pleading with drivers to keep their emotions in check when dealing with mobile app taxi drivers. Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan’s plea comes in light of a series of confrontations and issues that have been escalating on the island’s roads. The gathering took…
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Bangkok rail projects transfer: Administration shifts major developments to MRTA
In a bid to shift focus towards improving the quality of life and education for citizens, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to transfer responsibility for three new monorail and light rail transit projects to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA). These Bangkok rail projects, estimated at over 150 billion baht, were disclosed by Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of…
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Bangkok’s transit bombshell: BTSC to back 20 baht train rides but at what cost?
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC) is poised to back the government‘s bold move to limit train fares to a mere 20 baht on the city’s suburban rail network. However, there is a catch. BTSC CEO Keeree Kanjanapas revealed yesterday that this support comes with a crucial condition – the government must engage in talks with train operators to…
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All aboard the history express: Hua Hin Train Station gears up for inaugural joyride
It’s full steam ahead for historic Hua Hin Train Station as it readies itself for its inaugural journey next month. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced it’s all aboard the ticketing express at the opening of the new elevated station which is on track for partial operations on Monday, December 11. As outlined in the State Railway of Thailand…
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All aboard: China’s rail freight trail blazes historic route to Thailand, breaking new ground in cross-border cargo collaboration
A monumental event unfolded at 10am on November 17 as a Chinese freight train, packed with 35 cargo containers, embarked on its maiden journey to Thailand. This is the first official rail freight transport from China to Thailand, made possible through a collaborative effort between the Chinese government and Thai private sectors. The destination of this freight train is the…
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Powering up the tracks: Red Line operator urged to spark commuter surge with enhanced feeder network
Red Line operator SRT Electrified Train Co was asked by the Transport Ministry to enhance its feeder network to drive an increase in the number of rail passengers within Bangkok. Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister, explained that the SRT Electrified Train Co, in conjunction with the Department of Rail Transport, has charted out plans for an integrated feeder network…
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Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project on track for 2028
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is progressing well with the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, a 323.1-kilometre initiative set to be operational by 2028. Construction of the railway started on February 15 last year and is ahead of its schedule with 3% completion while 80% of the required land has been expropriated, as per Nirut Maneephan, the…
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