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 10 biggest challenges retirees face in Thailand (and how to overcome them)
Retiring in Thailand comes with many benefits, like warm weather, affordable living, and a rich culture. However, it also brings challenges. Retirees must deal with visa rules, healthcare costs, language barriers, and cultural differences. Rising medical expenses, required insurance, and...
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Don Mueang station’s escalators and elevators back in service after repairs
Don Mueang station’s escalators and elevators on the Red Line are fully operational after completing repair and maintenance work. The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) confirmed the news after an inspection carried out yesterday. Pichet Khunathamrak, the DRT director-general, confirmed that all 24 escalators and nine elevators are now in service. Ongoing repair work at Wat Samianaree, Bang Khen, Lak…
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Air Japan direct flight aims high: Bangkok to Tokyo route to tempt Thai travellers
Air Japan today announced plans to target Thai passengers by offering a direct flight from Bangkok to Tokyo next year. The president of Air Japan, Hideki Mineguchi, revealed to the media that Air Japan is a new low-cost airline under ANA Holdings, which will provide the airline’s first flight from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in…
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Phuket earmarks 156 million baht for 24 EV buses and charging stations
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) confirmed the allocation of 156 million baht (US$4.7 million) from this year’s budget for the purchase of 24 electric vehicle (EV) buses. These air-conditioned buses, each with a capacity of 21 seats, are set to serve three public routes across the province. The announcement was made during a Phuket Provincial Land Traffic Subcommittee meeting,…
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Driving change: Thailand shifts gears with online vehicle registration
The Thai government has launched an online vehicle registration service, providing a more convenient and time-saving option for the public. This move aligns with the government’s digital transformation policy, which aims to facilitate access to public services. As a result, citizens can now book a single number plate for each vehicle. Ratchada Thanadirek, Deputy Government Spokesperson, highlighted that this initiative…
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Motorcycle driver charged after road rage incident with bus in Phuket
A heated altercation between a tour bus driver and a Grab motorcycle driver yesterday led to police intervention on the main route through Pa Khlok, Phuket. The incident, which took place near the PTT petrol station, resulted in the bus driver’s side window being shattered. The tour bus, which belonged to Pornprom Corporation Co Ltd, found itself at the centre…
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Train drivers prevent disaster, stopping just metres from man on tracks
The near-death experience of an unidentified man was shared by a train driver on the Captain in Train Facebook page. The video showed a mysterious man standing on the train tracks, apparently hoping to be hit. The driver, Choonya Sathiranon and his colleague Thepnurak Choochuai, working in the Hat Yai district, Songkhla, South Thailand were operating express train number 169…
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Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project phase two set for year-end approval
Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek announced that the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project is anticipated to receive Cabinet approval by the close of the year. Meanwhile, operations on the first phase of the project are slated to kick off by 2026. Rachada yesterday briefed the public on the state of the high-speed rail venture following the 30th…
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DLT nets 7 billion baht in vehicle tax due to convenient online payments
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) collected over 7 billion baht in vehicle tax in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, thanks to the ease of its “from anywhere” payment system. This figure represents the taxes received from the owners of 5.5 million vehicles between October of the previous year and July of the current year. The…
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Red Line train earns high satisfaction scores, increases operating hours
The Red Line suburban train service conducted its second annual satisfaction survey this year to gauge the needs of its passengers. The results were used to improve the quality of their service. The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), an expert in survey and research, designed and conducted the survey across all 13 stations. Suthep Panpeng, the managing director of…
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Toddler yanks steering wheel causing pickup to damage noodle shop
A road collision in Nakhon Ratchasima caused significant damage when a pickup truck, driven by a woman accompanied by her three year old daughter, crashed into a noodle shop. The incident, which was shared on TikTok by user @jindarat254327, also resulted in damage to three parked vehicles, including two cars owned by Kan, who was dining in the noodle shop at…
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23 year old graduate reports train harassment incident to police
A recent graduate has reported harassment from an alleged rail official aboard a train to Bang Mun Nak Police Station. The woman, 23 year old Punyanuch is seeking justice for an incident that took place on August 15. While travelling on train number 202 from Phitsanulok to Nakhon Sawan, she was molested by a man claiming to be a train…
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Police officer damages woman’s motorcycle, leaves note, pays for repair
A 29 year old woman named Supapan was angered when she returned home to find her motorcycle damaged but was pleasantly surprised to discover a letter of responsibility from a local police officer. His sincere gesture has drawn public praise and demonstrated a shining example of accountability within the police force. The incident occurred at a convenience store opposite the…
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Exat toll hike on key expressways pauses by Ministry of Transport
The Progressive Ministry of Transport has issued a directive to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) to maintain the current toll charges for Chalong Rat and Bang Na expressways for another six months, running through February of next year. This development will stave off the proposal by Exat to implement a 10% increase in tolls on both routes. The toll…
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Cockroach’s thrilling 2,000-km journey rivets Chinese plane passenger
An exciting in-flight encounter with a stowaway cockroach caught the attention of social media after a female Chinese passenger on a flight from Shibaoshan to Ningbo noticed the critter. The insect’s surprising endurance while clinging onto the aeroplane window during a 2,000-kilometre journey at high altitudes added a thrill to the passenger’s air travel experience. The passenger, who opted for…
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Thai railways: Double-track upgrade paves the way for 120km/h passenger speeds
The Thai government is set to partially inaugurate the Map Kabao-Jira Junction double-track railway line next year. This Thai railway development will result in an increased speed limit for passenger trains, potentially enabling them to travel up to 120 kilometres per hour, a significant leap from the existing 50 kilometres per hour. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a visit to…
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Thailand’s railway safety upgrade: 693 unauthorised crossings to be rerouted
In the aftermath of a tragic accident last week in Chachoengsao, where a freight train collided with a pickup truck at an unrecognised railway crossing, taking eight lives and injuring three, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resolved to close 693 unauthorised railway crossings across Thailand. The accident took place on an unauthorised crossing, lacking official signalling mechanisms. Of the…
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Disability debate over hearing-impaired food delivery rider
A viral video of a woman criticising a hearing-impaired food delivery rider for leading her astray sparked public disability discrimination controversy, accumulating as many as 2.7 million views in Thailand. This incident, which occurred in June, has stirred debates on the appropriateness of allowing individuals with disabilities to handle such job roles, as well as sparked, calls for compassion and…
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Flatulence incident: Chinese bus tour rocked by passenger’s relentless gas emissions
A flatulence incident on a bus caused by an unexpected intestinal complication has promoted a flurry of laughter and serious health discussions online. The event took place on a bus tour in China where passengers, including a notable online influencer, were reportedly subject to a barrage of foul-smelling wind expulsions from a passenger. The influencer, known to her online followers…
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Chinese passenger denied flight boarding, hits police with skateboard
A Chinese passenger was captured in a viral TikTok video clip attempting to assault a Tourist Police officer at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok with a skateboard. The unruly passenger had become enraged after the captain of a flight back to China declined his boarding due to concerns about his disruptive behaviour, thus proving the captain’s point. Pol. Maj. Gen.…
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Divine traffic jam: Giant Thai deity, Kru Kai Kaew, hits roadblock in Bangkok
A giant sculpture of the renowned Thai deity Kru Kai Kaew or the Great Master Teacher, caused considerable traffic when it failed clear a bridge it was passing under in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok. A humanoid with bird-like features, wings on its back and golden talons, the unusual sight sparked curiosity about the identity of the deity among bystanders. Too tall to…
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Koh Samui anticipates 34 billion baht mainland bridge by 2028
Plans to establish a land link to the island of Koh Samui have been in the works for years but now the Express Authority of Thailand (EXAT) held their first public orientation hearing about the Samui Bridge. The blueprint for this project showcases a 20-kilometre bridge, slated for construction in 2028, to connect Koh Samui to the mainland. EXAT chief…
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Bangkok waterways: 9.32 billion baht expansion plan unveiled
In a proactive move to alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok, Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is set to submit plans for the development of existing and potential canal routes. Underpinning these Bangkok waterways plans is the promotion of passenger boat transportation as a practical solution to the city’s notorious traffic issues. On the specifics of…
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Smooth skies ahead: THAI-turkish partnership signals global travel upswing
A monumental leap forward for international air travel took flight yesterday when Thai Airways International (THAI) and Turkish Airlines secured a memorandum of understanding. The anticipated partnership will focus on the cut-throat competition prevalent on Asia-Europe routes. Commonly, airline collaborations entail synchronising schedules and revenue sharing. For instance, Qantas Airways and Emirates have a working partnership on Europe-Australia services. However,…
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Phuket officials probe safety standards after speedboat’s reckless wave maneuvering
Following a public outcry driven by online footage showcasing the reckless manoeuvring of a tour speedboat through large waves, the Phuket Marine Office has released a statement on the incident. The speedboat, distinctly labelled Natthicha 555, flagrantly disregarded a water safety notice by failing to equip its tourists with life jackets. The persisting unsafe sea conditions were the triggering reason…
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Buckle up! New law makes taxis ensure passenger wear safety belt
Buckle up! An announcement requiring taxi drivers to warn their passengers to wear their safety belts has been issued and will become effective in November. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette, yesterday, August 7. The warning was declared by the National Police Office, which aims to establish a safety practice for taxi drivers in notifying and ensuring that…
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Bear loose on Iraqi passenger flight at Dubai Airport
Where’s Samuel L Jackson when you need him? An Iraqi Airways passenger flight met unexpected panda-monium when a bear wandered free from its transportation cage. Wildlife experts were called to manage the situation before it got grizzly as the plane prepared for departure at Dubai International Airport. They tranquilised the bear, returning it to its cage and removing it from…
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Double trouble: Dozy guy dozes off on bus not once, but twice
A peculiar incident involving a young man who woke up trapped on a bus at 1am not once, but twice, has shocked people online. The youth, who had fallen asleep due to the potent effects of his sleeping pills, claims bus staff failed to wake him, leaving him to grope about in the deserted vehicle. In a video posted on the…
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Police deny involvement with taxi mafia in viral video scuffle
Confusion swirled around an incident captured on a viral video with speculation of whether certain Bangkok taxis were registered or not, and whether Thong Lor Police were involved with an illegal taxi mafia. Phansa Amraphitak, Police Chief of Thong Lor Police, today stated that the group of seven accused taxi drivers appeared for interrogation based on the summon notice. They…
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Bangchak Corporation pivots to sustainable aviation fuel
A forward-looking strategy is being implemented by energy conglomerate Bangchak Corporation as it navigates the uncertain future of the oil refinery business, deeply impacted by the global push for electric vehicles. In an endeavour to address this dilemma, the corporation has steered its focus towards the development of biofuel, known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), for aircraft, potentially a major…
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Toll-free travel treats: Thailand’s EXAT suspends expressway fees to ease the burden on residents
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) today announced that toll fees for three major expressways will be suspended on select dates this year, to ease travel and lessen the financial strain on residents. To make commuting smoother and friendlier to the pocket during the upcoming holiday season, EXAT has provided toll-free access to the following expressways: Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway…
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