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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  • Thailand’s double-track railway project to revolutionise transport | Thaiger

    Thailand’s double-track railway project to revolutionise transport

    The Ministry of Transport is pushing full steam ahead with the second phase of its ambitious double-track railway development project, which will span a massive 1,249 kilometres and cost an eye-watering 297.9 billion baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who is overseeing the project, has promised significant benefits for the country’s transport system. According to Suriya, the…

  • Phuket replaces iconic pink buses with new electric fleet | Thaiger

    Phuket replaces iconic pink buses with new electric fleet

    Phuket’s well-known pink Pho Thong buses, which have been a staple of the town’s streets for decades, have been replaced by 24 new electric buses from China, each costing over 5 million baht. These iconic vehicles were an integral part of Phuket Town’s charm, easily recognised by their simple design, which included six-wheeled flatbed trucks modified with wooden bench seats…

  • Pattaya motorbike thug attacks Bolt rider in road rage meltdown | Thaiger

    Pattaya motorbike thug attacks Bolt rider in road rage meltdown

    An early morning altercation at a busy Pattaya intersection has ignited public outrage after a motorcycle taxi driver was caught on camera assaulting a Bolt passenger, and now police are under pressure to act. The incident took place at around 6.45am yesterday, June 19, at the intersection of Pattaya South Road and Thanon Sai Sam, near Soi Pattaya South 18…

  • New driving rules: Foreigners must take test in Thailand | Thaiger

    New driving rules: Foreigners must take test in Thailand

    No more shortcuts — foreigners in Thailand will soon be required to pass a written test to get a Thai driver’s licence, even if they hold a valid international permit. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is tightening its rules with a new draft regulation that scraps the use of international driving permits (IDPs) as acceptable proof for obtaining a…

  • Bangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month

    Bangkok drivers are in for a traffic breakthrough as a major new link road connecting Vibhavadi Rangsit and Phahon Yothin roads nears completion — and it’s set to open by the end of the month. The Bang Khen District Office confirmed the much-anticipated infrastructure upgrade is in its final inspection phase, with workers putting the finishing touches on what’s expected…

  • Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution | Thaiger

    Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution

    Phuket is charging ahead in the race for greener cities, with the launch of an innovative new initiative to transform urban mobility. The City Lab project, a key part of the Thai-German cooperation on energy, transport, and climate change, is set to revolutionise the way locals and tourists get around, starting with the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The official…

  • Bangkok bets big on EV buses in 15 billion baht shake-up | Thaiger

    Bangkok bets big on EV buses in 15 billion baht shake-up

    Bangkok’s battered diesel buses are finally getting the boot and they’re being replaced with shiny electric ones in a mega-billion baht revamp. The Cabinet has greenlit a 15.35 billion baht plan to lease electric buses for Bangkok under a new seven-year scheme pitched by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Instead of sticking with outdated natural gas-powered vehicles, the capital…

  • Pink Line extension to Muang Thong Thani now open | Thaiger

    Pink Line extension to Muang Thong Thani now open

    The much-anticipated extension of the Pink Line has officially opened, offering commuters a faster and more convenient way to travel to Muang Thong Thani. The new 3-kilometre extension, which opened today, June 17, connects Sri Rat Station to two new stations—Impact Thani Station (MT01) and Muang Thong Thani Lake Station (MT02). With services running daily from 6am to midnight, this…

  • Fast track to Formula fun: Thailand revs up for F1 bid | Thaiger

    Fast track to Formula fun: Thailand revs up for F1 bid

    Thailand has hit the gas on its high-octane dream of becoming a Formula One (F1) host nation, with a turbocharged 40 billion baht plan to bring the world’s most elite racing series to the Land of Smiles by 2028. Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed on today, June 17, that the Cabinet has officially approved the country’s bold bid…

  • Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system | Thaiger

    Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system

    To modernise and better serve the ever-growing number of tourists flocking to Pattaya, Bang Lamung district has unveiled major plans to overhaul its zoning regulations for entertainment venues and completely restructure the motorbike taxi system. This ambitious initiative was announced at a meeting chaired by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon at the Takian Tia Municipal Office, attended by government leaders and…

  • How Thailand’s new traffic fines are playing out? | Thaiger

    How Thailand’s new traffic fines are playing out?

    Now that some time has passed since the Royal Thai Police (RTP) formalised their list of new traffic fines and sanctions, in effect since June 1, 2025, it would be an understatement to say that this change has done much to quench the scepticism of the public. The core of the new fines are the motorcycle helmet laws and operating…

  • Thailand to launch direct flights to the US after aviation boost | Thaiger

    Thailand to launch direct flights to the US after aviation boost

    Thailand is gearing up to reconnect with the United States through direct flight routes, as part of the government’s ambitious plans to turn the country into Southeast Asia’s aviation hub. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced accelerated efforts to establish non-stop services between Thailand and the US, a move that could significantly enhance the country’s global standing. Currently, no airline offers…

  • High-speed: Thailand’s airport bullet train back on track (video) | Thaiger

    High-speed: Thailand’s airport bullet train back on track (video)

    It’s full steam ahead for Thailand’s long-awaited bullet train blitz, as the kingdom’s high-speed train dreams roar back to life, five years after the pandemic derailed them. Thailand’s ambitious Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway is finally set to hit the fast lane, with officials confirming the project contract will be finalised by July 2025. Dubbed a game-changer for the Eastern Economic…

  • 5th Thai-Laos bridge to boost trade to over 28 billion baht | Thaiger

    5th Thai-Laos bridge to boost trade to over 28 billion baht

    The fifth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge is set to open by the end of the year, boosting cross-border trade to over 28 billion baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, alongside Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, attended the concrete pouring ceremony for the bridge connecting Bueng Kan in Thailand and Bolikhamxai in Laos. This development aims to enhance…

  • Thailand’s long-delayed airport high-speed rail finally back on track | Thaiger

    Thailand’s long-delayed airport high-speed rail finally back on track

    Thailand is gearing up to sign a long-awaited contract for its high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports – a transport game-changer that has faced over five years of delays. The 224 billion baht mega-project, overseen by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), was severely derailed by the Covid pandemic, which impacted infrastructure investments nationwide. A key…

  • Bus operators fight back against Phatthalung road ban | Thaiger

    Bus operators fight back against Phatthalung road ban

    Bus operators in Thailand’s southern provinces are fuming over a new ban that restricts them from using the Phatthalung-Trang route, which runs through the Khao Phap Pha mountain. The controversial decision sparked outrage among double-decker bus operators, who are demanding that the Transport Ministry and Land Transport Department review the ban for safety reasons. Around 100 operators took to the…

  • Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset | Thaiger

    Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset

    The battle of the Bangkok backseats has taken a new turn — and the Transport Ministry is stepping in to play referee. After months of mounting tension between traditional taxi drivers and Grab ride-hailing services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, government officials have now unveiled a plan to restore fairness and order. Yesterday, May 28, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote announced a…

  • Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos | Thaiger

    Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos

    Commuters in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Chaiyaphruek Road just got a serious glow-up. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) officially opened the expanded 10-lane Chaiyaphruek Road, a major upgrade from its original six lanes. The mega-project aims to ease traffic congestion and prepare for surging commuter numbers in the years to…

  • Bangkok ride-hail row erupts over forced toll fee (video) | Thaiger

    Bangkok ride-hail row erupts over forced toll fee (video)

    A viral TikTok video has ignited fierce debate over passenger rights after a Bangkok woman claimed her ride-hail driver ignored her route instructions and demanded she pay a toll she hadn’t agreed to. The incident came to light when TikTok user @aomsintupleng shared footage of the heated exchange during a ride. She said she had told the driver to avoid…

  • Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals | Thaiger

    Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals

    Bangkok’s tourist police are cracking down hard on taxi drivers who cheat tourists by refusing rides, avoiding meters, or blocking traffic. In a major enforcement sweep, 76 drivers were arrested for violating the law in the city’s busy tourist areas. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered strict action to ensure taxi…

  • Parcel firm under fire for blocking traffic in Wichit, Phuket | Thaiger

    Parcel firm under fire for blocking traffic in Wichit, Phuket

    A parcel delivery company on Chao Fa East Road in Wichit town, Phuket, is under fire for allegedly encroaching on public land and causing serious traffic disruptions, sparking outrage among locals. After a flood of complaints, a joint government inspection took place yesterday, May 22, probing the firm’s use of public space to park large delivery vehicles, which residents say…

  • New Thai apps take on delivery giants with just 5-baht fees | Thaiger

    New Thai apps take on delivery giants with just 5-baht fees

    Thailand’s motorcycle taxi drivers and street food vendors are getting a long-overdue digital lifeline, thanks to two new low-cost platforms designed to beat big tech at its own game. On Monday, May 19, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Chulalongkorn University’s Asia Research Cluster for Social Solidarity and Inclusive Economy unveiled two groundbreaking platforms: “Nong Khoei Ma Thao Rai?” (“Have…

  • Monorail mania: Thailand’s Pink Line to operate free trial run | Thaiger

    Monorail mania: Thailand’s Pink Line to operate free trial run

    Bangkok commuters have a new reason to celebrate — the long-awaited Pink Line monorail extension to Muang Thong Thani officially opened yesterday, May 20, promising to ease traffic headaches and ramp up convenience for eventgoers. Even better? It’s completely free to ride until June 16. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which owns the project, along with operator…

  • Thailand rolls out new payout rules for flight delays | Thaiger

    Thailand rolls out new payout rules for flight delays

    Travellers in Thailand can now breathe a sigh of relief — airlines are officially on the hook if they mess up your travel plans. New regulations designed to protect airline passengers from the misery of flight delays and cancellations came into force yesterday, May 20. Under the sweeping changes introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), passengers now…

  • Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses | Thaiger

    Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses

    Bangkok’s endless traffic jams might soon have a silver lining—up in the sky. The Transport Ministry has announced an ambitious plan to tackle the capital’s notorious congestion by building a series of new overpasses in the city and surrounding provinces. The move comes as part of a wider push to ease pressure on key transport routes during peak hours, particularly…

  • SRT to test refurbished Japanese diesel trains for suburban routes | Thaiger

    SRT to test refurbished Japanese diesel trains for suburban routes

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will start testing on KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains before next month ends, with plans to deploy these second-hand trains from Japan on suburban feeder routes by the end of the year. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala stated that the donated trains have been adapted to suit Thailand’s narrow-gauge tracks. Out of 20 units…

  • Bangkok’s Bang Na gridlocked by floods and traffic (video) | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s Bang Na gridlocked by floods and traffic (video)

    Bangkok’s roads turned into rivers yesterday evening, sparking one of the worst traffic nightmares in recent memory, with queues stretching over 31 kilometres and motorists stuck for hours in waist-deep floodwaters. Heavy rainfall yesterday, May 16, caused severe flooding on key routes in Bang Na and surrounding areas, leading to massive traffic congestion that brought parts of the city to a…

  • Trang Airport finally taxiing toward take-off after years of turbulence | Thaiger

    Trang Airport finally taxiing toward take-off after years of turbulence

    After years of delays, walkouts and government faffing about, Trang Airport’s long-stalled revamp is finally back on the runway, with part of a shiny new terminal expected to open next month and billions more being poured into the project. The opposition People’s Party has vowed to keep a close eye on Trang Airport’s 4.4-billion-baht overhaul, which has been riddled with contractor…

  • Transport Ministry plans mixed-use development at Bangkok port | Thaiger

    Transport Ministry plans mixed-use development at Bangkok port

    The Ministry of Transport will embark on a development project for the Khlong Toei port area, with plans for a mixed-use development on a 520-rai plot. The initiative, discussed in a meeting chaired by Deputy Transport Minister Monporn Charoensri yesterday, May 6, aims to maximise the utility of the Bangkok port area. Four subcommittees have made progress in various areas,…

  • Bangkok trials smart traffic system at 72 city intersections | Thaiger

    Bangkok trials smart traffic system at 72 city intersections

    Bangkok’s notorious traffic nightmare could finally be easing, thanks to a new ‘smart’ system that promises to slash waiting times and get drivers moving faster. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rolled out its high-tech Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 72 key intersections in a bold bid to revolutionise the capital’s congested roads. The trial initiative aims to replace outdated…