Minister books meeting to discuss 120 kph speed limits on Thai motorways

PHOTO: Thai Residents

The new Thai Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob will be chairing a meeting in the middle of August to discuss the proposal to raise the speed limit of private cars on Thailand’s four-lane highways to 120 kilometres per hour.

Part of the proposal says that cars travelling in the far-right lane of a four-lane highway must also keep their speed at no less than 80 kilometres per hour.

The system will also be ‘road tested’ on Sukhumvit, Phaholyothin, Phetkasem and Mittrapab highways before a final decision is made, according to Minister Saksiam.

The police would be consulted by the transport ministry on how best role out the increases of speed limits on major arterials.

A reduction in expressway, motorway and tollway fees is also being proposed to ease the economic burden on the public. But the Minister speculates that this may only be 5-10 baht per trip as subsidising even lower tolls would impose a large economic burden on the Government.

The Minister has also promised that the issue of legalising Grab Taxi and share-riding apps, will be resolved within three months.