buses

  • Thailand NewsPattaya’s traffic turmoil: No more rogue bus stops

    Pattaya’s traffic turmoil: No more rogue bus stops

    Pattaya’s reputation as a bustling tourist paradise is under threat—not from a lack of attractions, but from a gridlock of its own making. At a Pattaya City Council meeting yesterday, November 20, council member Surin Yimyai sounded the alarm about the city’s chaotic public transport practices, particularly buses flouting the rules by picking up and dropping off passengers wherever they…

  • Thailand NewsPublic CNG bus safety inspections launched by DLT

    Public CNG bus safety inspections launched by DLT

    The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has initiated a comprehensive vehicle safety inspection for all public buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The inspections aim to bolster safety measures and boost passenger confidence. This mandatory inspection campaign will run until November 30. The DLT reported that 1,331 out of the total 13,426 CNG-powered buses nationwide have been inspected. Findings…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok buses introduce new safety measures for NGV fleet

    Bangkok buses introduce new safety measures for NGV fleet

    Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced a new safety initiative for all its buses, particularly those running on natural gas (NGV). The directive, emphasised by Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, aims to elevate safety standards across the board. BMTA Director Kittikarn Jomduang Jaruwanpolkul revealed that the organisation operates a fleet of 809 NGV buses. This includes 486 blue air-conditioned low-floor…

  • Thailand NewsBTS gears up for electrifying bus race in Bangkok’s BRT expansion

    BTS gears up for electrifying bus race in Bangkok’s BRT expansion

    Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the BTS Skytrain operator, is in a race to supply Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) electric buses and have them operational by the September 1 deadline. BTSC signed a contract with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday, June 16, to procure 23 electric vehicles (EV) buses for the BRT system and to operate them…

  • Thailand NewsOn the right track: Thailand’s new transport minister charts course for infrastructure upgrade

    On the right track: Thailand’s new transport minister charts course for infrastructure upgrade

    Newly appointed Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit yesterday committed to enhancing Thailand’s logistics network, focusing primarily on the country’s railway and maritime transport infrastructure. In his first press briefing, Suriya stated that strategic plans are underway and will be made public in the coming week. Highlighting the importance of the logistics sector, which contributes nearly 15% to Thailand’s gross domestic product…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket earmarks 156 million baht for 24 EV buses and charging stations

    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,…

  • Covid-19 NewsFace masks still required on public transport, in cinemas

    Face masks still required on public transport, in cinemas

    Thailand recently celebrated lifting all remaining Covid-19 restrictions and fully reopening its borders to international travellers. But, while tourists can enter without proof of vaccination or negative tests, face masks are still mandatory on public transportation throughout the country. A deputy director of the Department of Health has explained that some Covid safety and prevention measures remain in place. In…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai government asks private companies to allow staff to work from home

    Thai government asks private companies to allow staff to work from home

    Thai health authorities are choosing to take a cautious approach, even though they say “the situation is under control”. They’ve asked state agencies and private companies in Thailand to allow staff and contractors to work from their home. They’re suggesting that staff work from home for at least 14 days as the Omicron has reached 1,551 infections (as of January…

  • Transport NewsVaccinated riders get 20% off on Transport Co interprovince buses

    Vaccinated riders get 20% off on Transport Co interprovince buses

    For those who have been fully vaccinated, Thailand’s state-run long-distance bus operator is offering a 20% discount on all fares until the end of November. The Transport Co operate the public buses that travel between provinces across the country, and they are offering the deal the boost ridership as tourism grows. The move is also hoped to counteract the losses…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Phuket eases domestic entry, Thitisan transferred to BKK prison | Sept 3 | Thaiger

    Thailand News Today | Phuket eases domestic entry, Thitisan transferred to BKK prison | Sept 3

    The deputy head of the national police has briefed a House Committee on the legal case against former cop Thitisan Utthanaphon. As Phuket prepares to carefully allow domestic tourists back onto the island, new Covid-19 infection number remain relatively stable. The Baiya vaccine, a plant-based Covid-19 vaccine being developed in Thailand, is ready to begin phase 1 clinical trials this…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Restrictions ease, interprovincial travel resumes | September 1

    Thailand News Today | Restrictions ease, interprovincial travel resumes | September 1

    A head of a regional prosecutor’s office claims the now-ousted Nakhon Sawan district police superintendent intended to kill the drug suspect. Restrictions start easing in dark red zones from today, that includes Bangkok of course. Today’s easing of restrictions also heralds the re-start of interprovincial travel – both buses and flights. A coffee shop employee has sustained serious injuries after…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Red Zone restaurants reopen, policeman ‘not dead’ | August 31

    Thailand News Today | Red Zone restaurants reopen, policeman ‘not dead’ | August 31

    A freight train that was bombed and experienced gunfire over the weekend in Southern Thailand is back up and running. Starting tomorrow, restaurants in provinces classified as “dark red” for high Covid-19 infection rates, will be able to offer dine-in services… no vaccine necessary. Thai police say rumours a police officer died after leaking footage of a suspect allegedly being…

  • Thailand News“Dark red” interprovincial transport ban lifted, flights and bus services resume Wednesday

    “Dark red” interprovincial transport ban lifted, flights and bus services resume Wednesday

    The ban on public transportation out of “dark red” zones has been lifted. Following the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s decision to ease the restrictions, both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the state-run Transport Company announced domestic flights and interprovincial bus services will resume on Wednesday. While domestic travel from the “high risk” provinces, like Bangkok, there are…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Bodies in BKK streets, interprovincial travel curbed, prison surge

    Thailand News Today | Bodies in BKK streets, interprovincial travel curbed, prison surge

    Netizens are slamming Bangkok police, claiming that the bodies of 3 men who died separately on the streets of the capital were left uncollected for hours. 315 people detained at Khon Kaen Provincial Prison tested positive for the virus. Recently, police arrested a man for allegedly using Facebook to sell a police badge and a certificate for being a member…

  • Covid-19 NewsLockdown tomorrow: What to expect in Bangkok and beyond

    Lockdown tomorrow: What to expect in Bangkok and beyond

    Though the government won’t use the word, tomorrow sees 10 dark red zone provinces going into, essentially, a lockdown. Here’s a rundown of what to expect during the 2 week period beginning tomorrow (Monday). The restrictions apply to all 10 provinces, but the information below is focused on the lockdown in Bangkok. INSIDE BANGKOK Things are about to quieten down.…

  • Transport NewsAll buses from Bangkok to Phuket and south cancelled from today

    All buses from Bangkok to Phuket and south cancelled from today

    In response to Bangkok’s new lockdown measures from today, all bus service between Bangkok and Phuket has been cancelled, along with buses to the dark red zone southern provinces. Interprovincial buses will stop running, effective immediately until further notice, with no set end date. The announcement was made by the president of the public company Transport Co which supervises all…

  • Tourism NewsThai Air Asia returns to Suvarnabhumi in addition to its Don Mueang hub

    Thai Air Asia returns to Suvarnabhumi in addition to its Don Mueang hub

    Thai AirAsia is spreading its Bangkok wings and opening up a secondary hub at the main Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK), to help broaden its attraction and bolster its bottomline. Thai Air Asia was the first airline to head back to the moth-balled Don Mueang in 2012 to re-establish the older airport after all the airlines moved across to the new Suvarnabhumi…

  • Bangkok NewsPanicked passengers flee Bangkok bus – VIDEO

    Panicked passengers flee Bangkok bus – VIDEO

    Panicked passengers of a Bangkok bus could be seen fleeing yesterday after the bus driver careened across the road in a race with a rival driver on the same route to get more fares. A video on social media showed a privately run bus on Route 1 dangerously tailgating and trying to pass another bus serving the same route. The…

  • Environment NewsPoll shows most Bangkok residents dissatisfied with public bus service

    Poll shows most Bangkok residents dissatisfied with public bus service

    A recent survey by Bangkok Poll showed most of the city’s residents aren’t satisfied with the capital’s bus services, citing long waiting times, shabby conditions and thick black exhaust. The poll, conducted June 25-29 by the Bangkok University Research Centre, surveyed 1,299 people aged over 18 to gauge public satisfaction with city buses. The largest group, 46.7%, said they were…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Thursday, June 11

    Thailand News Today – Thursday, June 11

    Transport Company resumes service, bans foreigners The wheels on the bus go round and round. But not for foreigners living in Thailand. It’s now official. If you’re a foreigner you won’t be allowed on intercity buses operated by the state owned Transport Company, under the auspices of the Thai Ministry of Transport. They announced today that foreigners are banned from…

  • Transport NewsAll public transport allowed to resume

    All public transport allowed to resume

    The Transport Ministry today allowed all public transport, including buses, trains and planes to resume, to meet the people’s demand for travel, with the exception of some provinces that have not ended lockdown measures. The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary says the move is in line with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s third phase of relaxation of Emergency Decree restrictions.…

  • Transport NewsTransport Company interprovincial bus services to the South remain suspended

    Transport Company interprovincial bus services to the South remain suspended

    Transport Company, Thailand’s interprovincial bus company, announced this week that it is continuing its suspension of all services to the southern provinces as the country will be under the state of emergency until June 30. It did not say when services will resume. The company was expected to resume services from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Phuket and Trang from June…

  • Covid-19 NewsBank report predicts extended timeframe for Thai tourism recovery

    Bank report predicts extended timeframe for Thai tourism recovery

    As the severity of the current situation facing Thailand’s lucrative tourism industry starts to sink in, Kasikorn Bank Research Centre have released a report with some stark predictions. Thailand’s tourism and hospitality industry faces losses of 1.69 trillion baht in 2020 and recovery “may not be clearly evident” next year. The report also foreshadows strict ‘new normal’ procedures as government measures…

  • Transport NewsThousands of people have been travelling between provinces

    Thousands of people have been travelling between provinces

    … but not quite as many as before, so far. The Director General of the Department of Land Transport says that more people have been using the inter-provincial buses services after the government recently easing Thailands’ lock down situation. He says… “Although some long distance services are still not in operation to comply with the night time curfew, many inter-provincial…

  • Covid-19 NewsNo public transport bus tickets until at least April 30

    No public transport bus tickets until at least April 30

    “We cannot provide additional buses and all available buses have been used. Complying with the social distancing policy halves the number of passengers per bus.” Due to the state of emergency declared by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the president of state enterprise Transport Company, Jirasak Yaovatsakul, announced today that ticket sales for all…

  • Covid-19 NewsBye bye Bangkok, 1000s of workers head home

    Bye bye Bangkok, 1000s of workers head home

    The Thai PM was asked over the weekend if there would be additional measures to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. He replied “We’re working on it.” Bangkok’s lockdown-you-have-when-you’re-not-having-a-lockdown, is pushing 1,000s of casual and migrant workers out of the city ‘up country’ as Bangkok shutters many of its businesses. Many are heading home to Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos…

  • Environment NewsAir purifiers to be added to the top of Bangkok buses. Really…

    Air purifiers to be added to the top of Bangkok buses. Really…

    “It is like a single dead pixel on your phone, hardly noticeable” Air purifiers sitting on tops of buses. Apparently this is another solution for Bangkok’s air pollution problems. Sounds like the people selling the mobile bus-top air purifiers have a very convincing sales person! But Bangkok’s Mass Transit Authority director Surachai Eamvachirasakul says the department will go ahead with plans…

  • Environment News50% of Thai trucks checked in Don Mueang belching black smoke

    50% of Thai trucks checked in Don Mueang belching black smoke

    Last April Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that those driving polluting vehicles would face arrest and fines, warning owners of transport businesses they’ll be held responsible for toxic emissions. Now the Department of Land Transport announced it was stepping up measures to bring emission levels from trucks and public transport vehicles within safe limits. The measures are designed to alleviate pollution…

  • Environment NewsElectric vehicles on the rise but the take up is slow in Thailand

    Electric vehicles on the rise but the take up is slow in Thailand

    “Two trends will develop in Southeast Asia. The first is new operators of EV taxi fleets such as cars and motorcycles, and the second is electric buses for public transport.” Justin Wu, head of Asia-Pacific for Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says the electric vehicles (EVs) remain expensive and unaffordable for individual buyers in Thailand and ASEAN. Mr. Wu says…