public transport
- Thailand News
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…
- Phuket News
Bus-ting with green energy: Phuket’s smart bus takes fresh direction
All aboard the eco-friendly Phuket Smart Bus express. Phuket’s transport scene is getting a high-voltage makeover with the launch of the spanking new Phuket Smart Bus service, and it’s already steering the island’s travel scene in a new direction. Connecting Phuket Town and Patong with ease and style, this service is run by Phuket City Development Co Ltd (PKCD) and…
- Thailand News
Thailand pumps the brakes on private sector traffic perks
The Ministry of Transport firmly dismissed allegations from the opposition that its proposed traffic congestion fees will disproportionately benefit the private sector, asserting that the policy is designed with accountability in mind. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Meenchainan, a Bangkok MP from the opposition People’s Party, during a House meeting yesterday, October 24. Transport Minister…
- Thailand News
Buriram gears up for MotoGP 2024 with travel incentives
Buriram is set to host the prestigious MotoGP event, PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024, from today, October 25 to 27, at Chang International Circuit. Atthawit Rakjamroon, acting managing director of Transport Company Limited (BorKorSor), announced initiatives to boost travel and attendance for the event. In conjunction with the MotoGP event, BorKorSor introduced a campaign titled Register for Souvenirs… Get…
- Thailand News
Thailand backs 20-baht cap on mass transit fares
Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) backs the Transport Ministry‘s initiative to cap mass transit electric train fares at 20 baht per trip, according to Secretary-General Saree Ongsomwang, who also advocates for a fair budget allocation for public bus services across all provinces. Saree stated that the 20-baht fare cap was one of Pheu Thai’s campaign promises ahead of last year’s election.…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya City approves 11km monorail project for 2027
Pattaya City has given the green light to an 11-kilometre monorail project, set to connect the Thap Phraya intersection on the western side to Nong Mai Kaen in the east. During the final public hearing for the proposed Purple Line monorail system on Wednesday, attendees approved the format, blueprint, and environmental impact study for the project’s second phase. Phutthaset Charoenphat,…
- Thailand News
Thaksin suggests reacquisition of private transit projects for 20 baht
The Transport Ministry is considering establishing an infrastructure fund aimed at repurchasing mass rapid transit projects from private entities, following a proposal by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Public ownership of these services could potentially allow for a standard fare of 20 baht per ride. Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday, August 24, that the ministry intends to explore the…
- Thailand News
Public transport complaints in Thailand exceed 100,000 in 9 months
The Department of Land Transport has revealed that complaints about public transport in the past nine months have exceeded 100,000 cases, with the most common issue being rude behaviour. Over 40,000 public transport drivers have had points deducted, and 404 drivers have had their licenses suspended. Today, July 24, Seksom Akkharaphan, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson of the Department of Land…
- Business News
Pink Line monorail to boost traffic to Mueang Thong Thani
Bangkok Land, a publicly traded company, anticipates that the Pink Line monorail will boost traffic and increase the occupancy rate of its exhibitions to 70% within five years. Chief Executive of Bangkok Land and operator of Impact Exhibition Management, Paul Kanjanapas reported that in the first half of the year, the company’s food, retail, and exhibition sectors met their growth…
- Thailand News
Thai passengers seek help from drug-addicted minibus driver
Minibus passengers today sought help from Nakhon Pathom Highway Police after the drug-addicted driver drove dangerously on a trip from the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bangkok. Officers from Nakhon Pathom Highway Police Station today, July 3, were alerted that the Bangkok-Prachuap Khiri Khan minibus driver was driving at a very high speed, and the vehicle was swerving…
- Thailand News
King names MRT Yellow Line Nakkhara Phiphat for prosperity
The King of Thailand has graciously bestowed the name Nakkhara Phiphat, meaning prosperity of the city, on the Yellow Line of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT). The announcement was made today, following the Ministry of Transport’s efforts through the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to implement the Yellow Line project. This line, running from Lat Phrao to Samrong, is…
- Thailand News
BYD electric bus charges Thong Lo roads in Bangkok
In a move towards eco-friendly commuting, BYD, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer from China, has unleashed its electric bus onto the bustling streets of Bangkok. Offering complimentary rides to commuters in the vibrant Thong Lo area until April 30, this trial run marks a pivotal moment in Thailand’s transportation landscape. Under the auspices of Rever Commercial Vehicles Ltd, the…
- Automotive
How Thailand Transformed its transportation
Thailand’s journey with transportation, especially its railways, tells a fascinating tale of progress, pauses, and policy shifts. Since the Paknam Railway’s inception on 11 April 1893, the country has witnessed the evolution of its transport systems, albeit with a slow expansion post-1960s. Only about 360km of railway lines were added from 1960 to 1990, highlighting a period of slowed growth.…
- Thailand News
Calls for government subsidy on all Bangkok public transport
A call for government subsidisation of all public transportation in Bangkok was made at a forum aiming to alleviate the city’s commuting issues. The event, attended by approximately 100 individuals including locals, was a collaboration between the House Committee on Consumer Protection, the Thailand Consumers Council and the Foundation for Consumers. The agenda was to gather consumer perspectives on the…
- Business News
Bolt boosts safety in Thailand with new app features
European mobility company Bolt strengthened its safety protocols in Thailand by introducing new measures designed to support both drivers and riders. A new feature, driver selfie verification, has been added to the ride-hailing application to minimise instances of driver impersonation and bolster safety for all users. In addition, Bolt launched an innovative trip safety monitoring feature. This facility allows the company…
- Thailand News
Minibus manager fined 5,000 baht for leaving Thai YouTuber stranded (video)
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) imposed a 5,000 baht fine on a minibus station manager after he refused to serve a Thai YouTuber, leading to the victim being stranded at a station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Thai travel YouTuber, Worrachat “Chiang” Thamrongwarangkun, shared his bad experience with his followers on Facebook and YouTube (Chiang Paiyoonaima). Chiang…
- Thailand News
Bangkok bus bust-up: Dismissed driver’s fare share of woes
A bus driver has been dismissed following an incident in which a young man claimed he was verbally abused and forced off the bus. The driver, who said he was afraid of dismissal, confirmed he had been let go by the company. The incident occurred on Route 1013, between Hua Takhe and Seacon Square, and was posted on the popular…
- Phuket News
Phuket to introduce ‘baht bus’ style transport service in tourist hotspot
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) is currently accepting applications from operators to establish a circular ‘baht bus’ style public transportation system in Phuket’s busiest tourist area. The announcement was made on the PLTO’s official Facebook page yesterday, with three separate notices for potential operators to provide bus transport services within Patong. Two of these notices outlined two circular routes, while…
- Phuket News
Phuket Airport accelerates taxi services with dedicated pickup zone
In a recent move to regulate taxi services in Phuket, Phuket International Airport put its foot on the accelerator and introduced a dedicated zone allocated for legally permissible taxis to facilitate the pickup of tourists. The news, revealed yesterday, came from a statement published by the airport itself, which was shared by Phuket MP, Somchart Techathavorncharoen. The statement, which was…
- Thailand News
Mini bus driver caught on viral video threatening to hit foreigner with iron bar in Phuket
A video has gone viral of a Thai minibus driver threatening to strike a foreigner with an iron bar in Phuket. The case is under investigation by the police. In the video shared yesterday, July 2, a white minivan is seen parked on a roadside in front of a coffee shop on Ratsada Road in Phuket. The driver, dressed in…
- Transport News
Free trial of Pink and Yellow monorail lines in December
Though not fully finished and operational, the Thai government declared that the Pink Line and Yellow Line of the monorail system in Bangkok will be opened for a free trial in December. More progress on the construction has been made on the new lines of the rapid transit system and the government hopes to show the public the lines in…
- Covid-19 News
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…
- Transport News
200 new electric buses will be in service in the Thai capital
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will partner with private companies to run over 200 electric buses to increase capacity so it can transport up to a million people each day. The new electric buses are also part of the city’s efforts to upgrade its old bus services and reduce Bangkok’s overall carbon footprint. The new electric bus system will rapidly…
- World News
US mask mandate on public transport lifted following court ruling
A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a mask mandate on public transport in the US is unlawful, eliminating the disease prevention measure. According to a Reuters report, the mandate was extended last week until May 3, requiring passengers on trains, planes, in taxis, and at transit hubs to wear face masks. The lifting of the mandate comes as…
- Transport News
Public transport drivers subject to safety points system from December
The Department of Land Transport is implementing a points-based system to punish public transport drivers for bad behaviours starting December 1. The system will give drivers 100 points to begin with and demerit points for every violation of traffic laws or safety, resulting in a temporary suspension of their license. The Director-General of the department explained the system that will…
- Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Vaccine schedule for Thailand and new train hub | February 4
While there’s no exact date on the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines, Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is assuring the public that the first order of the AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive this month, despite the E’s restrictions on Covid-19 vaccine exports at the moment. The National Vaccine Institute is working on getting the first shipment by the end pf February, according to…
- Transport News
Railway union rejects plans to close the Hua Lamphong Station which is set to be closed in November
Trains, planes and buses in Thailand all have restricted travel at the moment. In the case of the flights, domestic carriers have been forced to cancel or reschedule hundreds of flights due to the high drop off of passenger traffic since the start of Thailand’s second wave of Covid-19 which kicked off on December 20 last year. But amidst the…
- Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Survey shows a third of tourism businesses are broke or shut down | January 25
For those who need to extend their tourist visa, the Thai Immigration Bureau is asking that applicants make an appointment online to reserve their spot. The bureau says the online appointments will help with preventing the spread of Covid-19 by reducing overcrowding and making sure people abide by social distancing practices. And you thought it was about increasing efficiency. Applicants…
- Phuket News
Phuket taxis and tuk tuks under the microscope again after passenger ripped off
Local Phuket transport and provincial officials are AGAIN trying to tackle the island’s notorious taxi and tuk tuk ‘mafias’, after another passenger complained of being ripped off. The island has a long history of extortionate transport costs for local taxis and tuk tuks, giving Phuket a poor and infamous reputation for over-priced transport and rude drivers. Efforts to attract travellers…
- Northern Thailand News
State Railway officials sign 5 high-speed rail contracts as part of project linking Thailand and China
Officials from the State Railway of Thailand have signed 5 high-speed rail contracts worth more than 40 billion baht, in the latest development in the Thailand – China rail connection. It’s understood the contracts cover phase 1 of the railway, from Bangkok to the north-eastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). It’s hoped that section will carry its first passengers in…
