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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The Thaiger key takeaways November is the sweet spot. The month offers sunshine without the crowds or inflated prices. The Andaman Sea and Eastern Gulf are dry and peaceful, while the Southern Gulf is still rainy. ravel insurance like SafetyWing’s...
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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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Phuket bosses demand action on Kathu-Patong tunnel plan
Business leaders in Phuket are urging the government to move forward with a vital tunnel project, warning that proposed changes could cause costly delays. At a recent press conference, 24 private-sector organisations joined forces to urge the Transport Ministry to move forward without further alterations or delays. The 3.98-kilometre tunnel, approved by the Cabinet on August 26, comes with a…
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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…
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Chinese flying taxis take off in Thailand’s urban skies
A Chinese drone firm has launched Thailand’s first flying taxi trials in partnership with local regulators to test autonomous aircraft for urban transport. Aviation giant EHang has launched Thailand’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Sandbox Initiative, marking a major milestone in the race to bring flying taxis to Southeast Asia. Unveiled in Bangkok, the initiative was created in partnership with…
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New bus link connects Thailand to Vientiane in just 4 hours
Thailand and Laos launched a new international bus route connecting Khon Kaen and Vientiane to enhance tourism, trade, and cross-border transport links. The service, launched yesterday, October 10, was unveiled in a ceremony at Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 3, presided over by Phanthep Saokosol, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen province. The new route marks the fifth international bus connection between…
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Phuket expressway moves ahead with 2030 completion target
Officials in Phuket held a high-level meeting to discuss the next phase of an expressway project that will connect key areas and ease long-standing traffic woes. Plans for the second phase of Phuket’s expressway are gaining momentum, as provincial officials and key stakeholders gathered this week to refine the proposal before it heads to the Cabinet for approval. If all…
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Bangkok’s 20 baht train fare deal extended to end of November
Bangkok commuters can rejoice as the government has extended the flat 20 baht fare on two major train lines, aiming to ease travel costs across the capital. Following the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday, September 30, the government confirmed that the popular fare cap will remain in place until November 30, easing the financial burden on residents navigating the city. “From today,…
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BMTA powers ahead with 1,520 electric buses by 2026
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has announced plans to replace non-air-conditioned buses with a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) in a move set to transform the city’s transport system. Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that 1,520 electric-powered, air-conditioned buses will be leased to modernise the fleet. “This transition will reduce pollution, improve service, and…
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Things to do and see along the Purple MRT Line
The Thaiger key takeaways The Purple MRT Line stretches from Tao Poon in Bangkok to Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi, offering a glimpse into local culture, food, and hidden gems along its 16 operational stations. Key stops include Tao Poon for connectivity, Wong Sawang for shopping, Phra Nangklao Bridge for riverside temples, and Talad Bang Yai for shopping and dining…
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Free boat rides launched after Bangkok sinkhole chaos
A free boat service has been launched in Bangkok to help commuters affected by severe traffic disruptions caused by a sudden road collapse near a hospital. The Marine Department has deployed one of its patrol boats, Jao Tha 214, to ferry passengers for free between Thewet Pier and Kiakkai Pier. The emergency water transport service aims to alleviate severe traffic…
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Thailand rolls out stricter ride-hailing rules from October
Thailand will introduce new ride-hailing regulations next month, requiring stricter checks on drivers and platforms to improve safety, trust and transparency. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) confirmed that the regulations, effective from October, will redefine the role of ride-hailing platforms from intermediaries to active service regulators. Under the new rules, platforms must verify the identities of both passengers and…
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Bangkok metro lines revert to original fares after 20-baht cap ends
Operators of the Red and Purple metro lines in Bangkok’s suburbs will revert to standard fare rates starting October 1, as the previous administration’s 20-baht fare cap policy comes to an end. A source within the Ministry of Transport, speaking to Bangkok Post, indicated that the transition from the Pheu Thai Party-led government to the Bhumjaithai Party has effectively ended…
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Bangkok faces fare hike as 20 baht train cap set to end
Bangkok commuters may face higher costs when the government’s 20-baht train fare cap ends, as officials decide whether to extend or scrap the policy. The government’s policy capping electric train fares at 20 baht per ride is scheduled to end on September 30, leaving uncertainty over whether the measure will be extended by the new Cabinet. The fare cap, introduced…
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Taxi turf war erupts as Phuket drivers block cruise cab
Police intervened at Phuket’s main cruise port after local taxi drivers blocked an outside cab from collecting tourists, sparking a tense standoff. The confrontation erupted at about 3pm at Phuket Deep Sea Port in Wichit, shortly after the Genting Dream cruise liner arrived with 4,200 foreign tourists. According to police, around 60 community taxi drivers gathered at the pier and…
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Thailand to test seaplane routes to boost island tourism
Thailand is launching a pilot project with seaplane routes in Trang, aiming to boost tourism by linking remote islands with major travel destinations. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has confirmed plans for a pilot seaplane tourism project that could revolutionise the country’s travel industry. The initiative, developed in partnership with private operators Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, will begin test…
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Thai-China rail delays pile up as minister faces tough test
Thailand’s high-speed rail project is facing fresh delays as the new transport minister takes charge of stalled contracts and unresolved heritage concerns. Thailand’s long-awaited China-backed high-speed rail project is once again facing delays, forcing the new Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to step in as pressure mounts to push the scheme forward. The project, first launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at…
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Phuket’s long-awaited boat taxi project finally sets sail
Phuket is moving ahead with plans for a boat taxi service along its west coast, as key officials signed an agreement to improve coastal transport options. Phuket is one step closer to launching its long-discussed boat taxi service along the island’s popular west coast, as key officials gathered to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, September 12. Atthaphon Charoenchansa,…
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BTS monthly packages return amid uncertain 20-baht flat fare policy
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain) is reinstating its travel packages, allowing passengers to purchase monthly fares at discounted rates from tomorrow, September 11. BTS previously offered travel packages which enabled passengers to purchase between 15 and 35 trips per month, which had to be used within that month. These packages allowed for cheaper travel compared to standard fares.…
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AIA ordered to pay up for Bangkok MRT flooding chaos
A botched construction project caused flooding chaos at Bangkok’s Cultural Centre MRT Station, and now AIA is footing the bill. The Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), Kajpajon Udomthammaphakdi, has ordered AIA to compensate for damages following a deluge that submerged part of the MRT station on Friday, September 5. Kajpajon confirmed that AIA has accepted…
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Bangkok Cultural Centre MRT stays open after flood chaos hits
Flooding hit Bangkok’s Cultural Centre MRT station after heavy rain and nearby construction works, though the line remains open with partial access. Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) has moved to reassure passengers after flooding hit the Cultural Centre MRT station this week. The company confirmed that the downpour, combined with nearby construction, caused water to spill into…
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Phuket’s Patong Tunnel greenlit with 11-billion-baht budget
Phuket’s much-anticipated Patong Tunnel project has been given the green light, but with a hefty price tag of 11 billion baht and a new set of roadblocks ahead. On August 26, the Cabinet approved a major shift in the project’s investment model, paving the way for the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) to take direct control of the construction. The…
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Phuket tuk tuks set to go electric in new pilot project
Phuket’s famous tuk tuks are about to get a green makeover as the island becomes the testing ground for Thailand’s first project to switch small passenger vehicles from petrol to electric power. Akaradej Wongpitakroj, MP for Ratchaburi and chairman of the House Industrial Committee, confirmed on a recent visit that Phuket will spearhead the conversion drive. The lessons learned here…
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Bangkok Purple Line project probed after dead fish found
Bangkok officials have launched an urgent probe after thousands of fish were found dead in a Thon Buri canal, with the blame falling on the construction of the new Purple Line electric train. Deputy Bangkok governor Wissanu Subsompon led a team of Drainage Department officers and environmental experts to Khlong Samre near Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 21 following alarmed…
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M81 motorway to Kanchanaburi planned for opening by year’s end
Drivers could soon slash their journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to under an hour, with the long-awaited M81 motorway on track to open before the end of the year. The Department of Highways confirmed that the 96-kilometre route, stretching from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi, is now in its final stages. Director-General Apirat Chaiwongnoi said only finishing touches remain,…
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All aboard: Thai House passes new transit joint ticketing law
Thailand’s chaotic public transport ticketing system is on track for a major shake-up after MPs overwhelmingly backed a new law to unify fares across the country’s mass transit networks. The House of Representatives, chaired by Chaiya Phromma, First Deputy Speaker of the House, approved today the Joint Ticket Management Bill following a marathon debate on all 54 sections of the…
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Thailand axes M81 tolls ahead of King’s Cup showdown
Thailand’s M81 motorway is going toll-free for nearly two weeks to get fans pitch-side for the King’s Cup without the pain of fees. The Department of Highways has announced that the M81 motorway, connecting Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi, will be toll-free from 3pm on Friday, August 29 to 9am on Wednesday, September 10. The move is part of…
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Hua Hin’s old station gets flashy facelift to lure tourists
Thailand’s iconic Hua Hin railway station is on track for a major facelift, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) promising a sweeping revamp to boost tourism, jobs, and safety. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala visited the historic station this week to expedite the project and inspect the new passenger facilities. He met with Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatsaen to…
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Suvarnabhumi super expansion to handle 120 million flyers
Suvarnabhumi Airport is about to get supersized. Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has updated its master plan to double the airport’s capacity. The revised target is to handle up to 120 million passengers annually as part of a bold new development push. According to acting AoT president Paweena Jariyathitipong, over 70% of this year’s master plan study is now complete…
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Rogue app drivers face tough Pattaya clampdown
Chaos on Pattaya’s streets is finally facing a clampdown, after city police and transport chiefs joined forces to tackle rogue taxis, illegal ride-hailing apps, and traffic gridlock. On Monday, August 18 at 4.45pm, top brass gathered at Pattaya City Police Station’s Operations Centre for an urgent summit on transport reform. The meeting was co-chaired by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanuphong Nimsuwan,…
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