Transport News
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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Suvarnabhumi Airport rolls out Grab taxi services
To enhance passenger convenience and elevate service standards, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) unveiled the latest addition to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Grab taxi services. Positioned at Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal, the newly inaugurated Grab service centre stands ready to cater to passengers around the clock, announced AoT Director Kirati Kitmanawat. Echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision…
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Parts of broken Bangkok MRT Yellow Line track fall on passing cars
The MRT Yellow Line temporarily suspended its service indefinitely following a track breakage after damaged parts fell onto passing cars on Srinakarindra Road this morning. Mueang Prakarn News v2 page reported that the MRT Yellow Line train suddenly stopped mid-journey between Suan Luang Rama IX and Srinagarindra 38 stations at about 8.30am today. Some passengers were trapped in the train…
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Thai domestic car sales slump hits 26% as pickup sector suffers
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported a 26% year-on-year drop in domestic car sales for February, primarily affecting the pickup sector. This downturn is expected to hit a two-year low. The total number of cars sold in the country came to 52,843 units, a significant drop from the previous year’s 71,551 units. Despite the worrying sales slump, Surapong Paisitpatanapong,…
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Thailand’s car industry hits the brakes: Production plunges 20%
With a significant decrease in production, Thailand’s car output experienced a 19.28% year-on-year slump in February, with the total units produced amounting to only 133,690, as reported by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The numbers, attributed predominantly to the reduced production of pickup trucks and increased imports of electric vehicles (EVs), starkly contrast the 12.46% dip recorded in January.…
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Chinese EV investments in Thailand linked to zero dollar tours
Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) makers’ investments in Thailand have sparked comparison with a notorious scam, the zero dollar tours, among some industry insiders. The scam, which came into the limelight in 2016, involved Chinese tourists being enticed with inexpensive tour packages in Thailand, only to be compelled to purchase overpriced souvenirs and services. The parallel is being drawn because Chinese…
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Charged up: Thai finance chief sparks debate on EV development
Thailand’s finance permanent secretary stressed the need for the country to continue developing its electric vehicle (EV) sector, despite concerns about the arrival of the Chinese EV supply chain in the local automobile industry. Lavaron Sangsnit warned that without active policies to encourage EVs, Thailand may be overlooked as a locale for factory establishment due to the lack of essential…
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Thai-China high-speed rail set to boost ASEAN connectivity
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang projected a significant enhancement in the collaboration between Thailand and China upon the conclusion of the anticipated high-speed rail project. The statement came during a seminar addressing the economic ties between the two nations and the Thai-China visa-free agreement, held by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association recently. The ambassador emphasised that the completion of the Thai-China high-speed…
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Significant expansion planned for Thailand’s Red Line rail network
The State Railway of Thailand‘s (SRT) Red Line electric commuter rail network is set to undergo a significant expansion, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. The Transport Ministry will put forth proposals for the construction of three extensions this week: the Taling Chan-Salaya extension, the Rangsit-Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus extension, and the Taling Chan-Siriraj extension. The proposals will be…
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Toll-free motorway unveiled for Songkran holidays
Motorists are set to enjoy a toll-free journey on the newly announced Intercity Highway Number 81 (M81), disclosed Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachot yesterday. With 97.5% completion, the highway promises to revolutionise travel during the long Songkran break. Surapong highlighted its pivotal role in easing travel woes for residents of Kanchanaburi and neighbouring provinces. “The M81 Highway will be a…
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State Railway of Thailand’s renovation project for accessibility
In a significant move towards inclusivity, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has embarked on a renovation project for 10 of its passenger carriages. The initiative is aimed at making the carriages more accessible for individuals with disabilities, according to Aekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor’s office. The carriages undergoing renovation are second-class vehicles put into service in 2012.…
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Pattaya business owners petition against one-way traffic rule
Pattaya recently saw over 200 business owners on Jomtien Beach Road petitioning the deputy mayor to revoke a one-way traffic rule that had been put into place. This rule, implemented on March 1, pertains to a stretch of Jomtien Beach Road from Dongtan Curve to the Chaiyapruek Intersection. The one-way traffic rule is one aspect of a larger project, which…
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Thai airlines gear up for Songkran splashdown with extra flights
Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet are gearing up for the Songkran festival, a major annual event in Thailand. With an expectation of a surge in travel demand, these airlines have announced the addition of extra flights and ticket discounts to accommodate this rise. Thai Airways International yesterday announced that it would supplement…
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EA plans expansion in renewable power and EV sector
Renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) developer, Energy Absolute Plc (EA), is set to expand its power business. The decision comes after a pause in the introduction of new projects since 2019. Currently, the firm’s wind and solar farms generate a capacity of 664 megawatts. The company’s CEO, Somphote Ahunai, noted in a 2020 interview that EA diversified into EV-related…
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Pilatus Marine to expand LPG marine transport across Asia
Pilatus Marine, Thailand’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) marine transport operator, is set to expand its services throughout Asia. The move forms part of a strategic initiative to increase its customer base and cater to the rising demand for marine transport of LPG and olefins, a crucial ingredient in plastic production. According to Chief Executive, Varawit Chimtawan, the expansion is…
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Thailand primes for potential Formula E championship hosting
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced an impending meeting with executives of Formula E, the globally acclaimed electric-car racing league, in Chiang Mai next week. The meeting intends to explore the potential of the city as a host for the championship. The Thai PM, who also holds the position of finance minister, expressed the executives’ intent to scout a suitable location…
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Phang Nga’s lithium deposits eyed for Thailand’s EV ambitions
Phang Nga’s rich lithium deposits were the focal point of a House Committee on Industry visit yesterday, as the government looks to establish the area as a global lithium source. The move aligns with the government’s strategy to make Thailand an electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub. Akkaradech Wongpitakroj, chairman of the House Committee and United Thai Nations MP for Ratchaburi,…
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AI-driven project launched to tackle Bangkok’s traffic congestion
An artificial intelligence (AI) technology-driven project, the Ratchaprasong Model, has been launched by the government to combat excessive traffic congestion in the bustling business district of Ratchaprasong. This area is also recognised as a tourist hotspot in the capital. The inauguration of the project was presided over by the Prime Minister’s Office Minister, Puangpet Chunlaiad, and vice minister Warawut Yanjareon,…
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Thailand to host prestigious Formula E electric-car championship
The Government of Thailand is set to welcome the prestigious Formula E electric-car racing championship in the coming year. This revelation was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on his X account yesterday, following an engaging conversation with a senior executive of Formula E. Formula E, also known as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, has earned global recognition…
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BMTA set to go green with 3,390 electric buses
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) embarks on an initiative to replace its ageing fleet with 3,390 electric buses, announced Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri. During a recent board meeting, it was revealed that the BMTA has prioritised the urgent acquisition of new electric buses, aligning with its commitment to mitigate environmental impact across the metropolitan area. Manaporn, overseeing the BMTA,…
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Thai EV sales surge by 603% amid government incentives
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sales in Thailand surged by 603% year-on-year to 73,568 units last year, with the upward trend expected to continue throughout this year, as per the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This growth is expected to outstrip that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which witnessed a 13.7% year-on-year sales decline to 238,570 units in 2023, capturing…
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Kia considers setting up electric vehicle factory in Thailand
Premium Korean car manufacturer, Kia, is exploring the possibility of setting up an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Thailand, as per an announcement made by Kia Sales (Thailand). The move comes in response to the rapidly expanding EV market in the country. If approved by Kia Corporation, the parent company which falls under the Hyundai Motor Group, Thailand would become…
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Rama II expressway construction issues prompt contractor downgrade considerations
The construction of the Rama II Road expressway, currently plagued by delays, substandard work and safety concerns, has prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to consider downgrading contractors responsible for the project. The state budget office was instructed to investigate possible penalties for the contractors involved. Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Comptroller General’s Department, was called to meet with the prime…
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Tesla in Thailand: The future of green mobility and autonomous vehicles
Following its debut in Thailand at the end of 2022, US-based automobile giant Tesla continues to expand its influence in the Thai market and it is also exciting to purchase a new car in Thailand. With a test centre open in Ramkhamhaeng, customers can try driving various Tesla models as they wish, buy Tesla products, and pick up their ordered…
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Bangkok joins forces with Netherlands for eco-friendly urban mobility
Bangkok has coordinated with the Dutch concept to design Bangkok into a walkable and cycling city. Assoc. Prof. Wisanu Supsompon, along with Sanon Wangsrangboon, the Deputy Governors of Bangkok and Remco Johannes van Wijngaarden, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, attended a presentation of ideas and group activities discussion at the ACTIVE Workshop in Bangkok at…
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Transport Co warns against taxi surcharge at bus terminus
Amidst a surge of complaints, Transport Co Ltd, a state enterprise under the Transport Ministry, took swift action against taxi drivers fleecing passengers with a hefty 50-baht surcharge at the terminus, better known as Mo Chit 2, servicing provinces in the North and Northeast. As of Friday, Transport Co has put the brakes on the arrival area, redirecting all interprovincial…
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Fare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence
A female Thai taxi driver condemned police officers for indulging two foreign tourists who refused to pay toll fees by covering the costs themselves. The female taxi driver shared a video of when she engaged in an argument with police officers and two foreign women passengers on Facebook. In the video, she refused to accept money from the police and asked…
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Bangkok’s expressway toll fees skyrocket starting today
Toll fees along Bangkok’s Chalong Rat and Burapha Withi expressways are seeing a steep increase starting from today, March 1. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) dropped this bombshell earlier this month, announcing a hefty hike in toll charges. For four-wheel vehicles traversing the Chalong Rat Expressway, be prepared to shell out an extra 5 baht, pushing the toll to…
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China-Laos high-speed rail to transform northeast Thailand
Krungthai COMPASS Research Centre unveiled a groundbreaking vision, identifying the China-Laos high-speed railway as the cornerstone for transforming the northeast of Thailand into an economic juggernaut within the Greater Mekong Subregion. The centre disclosed that the China-Laos high-speed railway, now operational for both passenger and freight services along the Kunming-Vientiane route, will directly turbocharge trade and investment in Thailand’s northeastern region,…
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Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights
Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April. Suriya asserted that this measure is just one of the short-term solutions being devised to combat the escalating airfare predicament. “We’re taking decisive action to address the concerns raised by…
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Thailand’s manufacturing sector sees slump for 16th month
Thailand’s manufacturing sector witnessed a prolonged slump for the 16th month in January, as the country’s key economic pillar grapples with dwindling domestic and overseas motor vehicle sales, according to information released by the Industry Ministry. The year-on-year decline of 2.94% in the sector fell short of the anticipated 5.1% fall predicted in a Reuters survey and followed a revised…
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