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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Thai airports increase passenger service charge by 25 baht
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) board has agreed to a 25 baht rise in the passenger service charge (PSC) at seven airports across various provinces. This adjustment, suggested by the Department of Airports (DoA), will be implemented at DoA-managed airports in Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phitsanulok. During the CAAT…
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Parking puzzle: Pattaya evens out the odds to curb traffic congestion
In a bid to tackle the notorious traffic congestion in South Pattaya, city officials have rolled out a strict enforcement of odd-even parking rules on the bustling South Pattaya Road. Starting Monday, February 3, the initiative aims to streamline traffic flow and bring order to the chaotic streets. On the first day of enforcement, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet took to…
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Bangkok’s new bus shelters as much use as a chocolate fireguard
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) addressed concerns regarding the transparency of its bus shelter procurement initiative amidst criticisms that they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard as the shelters won’t protect people from the sun and rain. The BMA outlined plans for two shelter models: one is 2.3 by 3 metres, accommodating three individuals, priced at approximately 230,000 baht.…
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Thailand’s 34 billion baht railway plan to boost trade and tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is pushing for an 80-million-baht budget to conduct a feasibility study for a new double-track railway linking Hat Yai in Songkhla to Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat. The massive 34.59 billion baht project aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s policy to enhance railway efficiency, improve connectivity between Thailand and neighbouring countries, and stimulate border trade,…
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Back in the driver’s seat: Rewat plans to steer Phuket forward
Fresh off his re-election victory, Rewat Areerob is revving up to tackle the challenges facing Phuket as the newly-affirmed president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO). Triumphing with a commanding 86,616 votes, Rewat of the Phuket Yat Dai Party left his nearest rival, Lersak Leenanitikul of the Prachachon Party, trailing in the dust with 44,602 votes. Not content with…
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Thailand to modernise railway with 184 new diesel railcars by 2030
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to replace its ageing fleet by procuring 184 air-conditioned diesel railcars, along with spare parts, at a cost of 24.1 billion baht. These new railcars aim to modernise the current fleet, which has been in service for three decades. SRT chief Veeris Ammarapala stated that the new railcars will replace 10 existing long-distance…
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Thailand’s ‘one ticket’ travel plan moves forward
Thailand is one step closer to a game-changing transport upgrade, with the House of Representatives approving the Pheu Thai Party’s draft bill for an integrated ticketing system. The move, passed with 226 votes in favour and 142 against, promises a seamless travel experience for commuters across urban trains and buses. But not everyone is on board. The House ditched a competing proposal from the People’s Party, opting instead…
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Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership…
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Bangkok fights smog with free public transport for a week
The Thai government is taking bold action to tackle Bangkok’s persistent smog problem by offering free rides on the BTS, MRT, and BMTA buses for seven days, starting tomorrow, January 25. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle usage and ease air pollution in the capital. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced the measure today. “From January…
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Chinese tourist’s van overturns in Pattaya, sparks traffic chaos
A Chinese tourist’s van overturned, leading to a road blockage on Pattaya Second Road and causing delays exceeding 30 minutes, resulting in minor injuries. The Pattaya Rescue Centre was informed about the accident at 10.06pm on Tuesday, January 21. Upon notification, Pattaya police and rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene. They discovered a white Toyota Alphard van overturned on…
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Red light: Thailand’s car industry caught in hybrid dilemma
Thailand’s car production industry, a powerhouse of the national economy, stands at a pivotal red light crossroads. The decision now looms large: should the focus be on propelling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into the spotlight, or should there be a concerted effort to guide the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector through a transitional phase towards electric vehicles (EVs)? With the…
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Nakhon Ratchasima to launch electric rail transit after 7-year wait
The government has given the green light to a long-anticipated electric rail mass transit initiative in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. After a seven-year wait, the northeastern province is eagerly anticipating its own mass transit system, as noted by Sarawut Choedchai, a former city mayor and member of the traffic management committee in Thailand’s third-largest city after Bangkok and Chiang…
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Woman caught vaping on Bangkok BTS sparks outrage (video)
A video capturing a woman allegedly vaping cannabis on a Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) has gone viral, igniting outrage and calls for stricter public behaviour enforcement. The shocking footage, shared on the Facebook page อีซ้อขยี้แหลก on January 12, shows the woman casually vaping on the train, surrounded by children and elderly passengers. The clip reveals the woman standing and texting while…
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Driving Thailand’s economy into the high-tech fast lane
In a bid to supercharge Thailand’s sputtering economy, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is rallying the manufacturing sector to shift gears and embrace high-tech innovation. With aspirations to increase GDP growth by 1% annually, Akanat is touting cutting-edge products as the next big play, given the triple threat of tech disruptions, geopolitical spats, and looming climate change. Since the pandemic, Thailand’s…
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Fuel for thought: Thailand sees shift in consumer petrol gears
Thailand’s engines are revving as fuel consumption takes a notable 2% leap, in line with the country’s economic growth, which is pegged at a healthy 2.6% to 2.7% for 2024. The Department of Energy Business reveals that from January to November, Thais guzzled an average of 155 million litres of fuel daily. Turning heads in the petrol station queue is…
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Bangkok’s traffic gridlock gets a tech-tock fix
Bangkok’s notorious traffic mayhem is finally seeing a breakthrough, thanks to a two-year tech overhaul that’s got commuters breathing a sigh of relief. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology has slashed journey times in the city’s busiest areas by a remarkable 25%. This traffic-taming triumph comes courtesy of the ATC system,…
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Bolt drives change: Thai ride-hailing gets major boost with initiative
Ride-hailing giant Bolt is shaking up Thailand’s mobility industry with bold initiatives aimed at empowering drivers and modernising the regulatory landscape. Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, is doubling down on its commitment to raising industry standards in Thailand. In line with the nation’s e-hailing laws and guidelines set by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Bolt is providing hands-on…
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Thailand airports boost biometrics for faster service times
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) is enhancing its biometric identification systems to expedite service times at airports. Yesterday, January 8, AoT Director Kerati Kijmanawat confirmed that this system has been implemented at six major international airports managed by AoT, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai. However, the system currently does not…
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Orange Line construction closes Bangkok flyover for two years
The flyover on Bangkok’s Charan Sanit Wong Road has been closed to facilitate the construction of the Orange Line electric railway. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion. Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) Deputy Governor Kittikorn Tanpao announced the closure to accommodate the development of the Orange Line, specifically the Bang Khun Non-underground station. This station…
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Thai airports get safety and check-in boost as travellers rise by 14%
The Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Airports (DoA) to enhance measures in support of travellers following more than 14% rise in passenger numbers over the new year period. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, January 7, that from December 27 to January 2, the DoA recorded 319,275 passengers, reflecting a 14.12% increase compared to the previous year. The…
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SRT Red lines to get 319 billion baht upgrades: Transport Ministry
The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…
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Tourists get intimate on tuk tuk despite driver’s warnings (video)
A video involving tourists engaging in intimate behaviour on a tuk tuk has sparked widespread online criticism. Despite being cautioned by the driver to stop, the tourists continued, leading the driver to let the incident unfold. The incident was shared on social media yesterday, January 3, by a Facebook user named Somnuck Chanagune who posted a 34-second clip with the caption,…
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Bangkok gridlock: Holidaymakers return with dried goods
The roads leading back to Bangkok have become increasingly crowded as northeastern Thai residents return after celebrating new year festivities with their families in the provinces. Traffic reporters noted heavy congestion throughout the day on the Friendship Highway, which saw a steady stream of cars heading towards the capital. Although some sections of the road experienced smoother traffic flow, minor…
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Gridlock crisis: Phuket’s billion-baht boom sparks urgent action
Provincial officials have vowed to tackle Phuket’s surging traffic chaos as the island’s tourism industry hits record-breaking highs. Governor Sophon Suwannarat chaired a high-stakes Zoom meeting with key stakeholders on Thursday, December 26, to address infrastructure challenges threatening the paradise’s reputation. With over 10 million visitors in 2023 generating a staggering 388 billion baht in revenue—an astounding 100.38% increase from…
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New year traffic chaos hits Ayutthaya roads
Traffic congestion gripped the routes through Ayutthaya as people embarked on their new year holiday journeys. Traffic reports yesterday evening, December 27 highlighted heavy vehicle accumulation at Bang Pa-in Interchange, with cars from Phahonyothin Road, Highway 9, and the motorway filling all lanes. Many city dwellers were eager to leave Bangkok and surrounding provinces, heading towards the northern and northeastern…
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Traffic congestion rises as Thai motorists head home for new year
Traffic congestion has begun as people return home for the new year celebrations. Roads across Saraburi, particularly Phahonyothin and Route 304, are seeing increased volumes of vehicles, prompting traffic police to expedite the flow towards the gateway to Isaan. Reports yesterday highlighted the growing traffic on Friendship Highway as people journey back to their hometowns for the new year festivities.…
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Thailand to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers
Drunk drivers in Thailand will soon face stricter penalties, as announced by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The government plans to collaborate with the Interior Ministry to enforce tougher laws aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Suriya highlighted the growing concern over traffic accidents, especially those caused by drunk driving, smartphone distractions, drowsiness, speeding, and other traffic violations. According to the Don’t…
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Holiday mayhem: Govt unveils free tolls plan for New Year’s Eve
The Thai government has announced measures to ease the expected holiday travel chaos. With a staggering 34 million trips anticipated, the Ministry of Transport has unveiled a chaotic cocktail of free tolls, trial road openings, and even free camping spots in a desperate bid to keep the nation moving. Happiness Festival Everywhere in Thailand is the rather optimistic slogan for…
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Phuket’s traffic revolution: New roads to transform island travel
Phuket is gearing up for a major infrastructure facelift with a slew of secondary road developments aimed at easing traffic woes and boosting tourism. Officials unveiled the ambitious plan at a press conference chaired by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanarat at Provincial Hall on Friday, December 20, showcasing a roadmap for smoother travel and economic growth. Jakkrapong Thamuntree, Director of Phuket’s…
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Apply for international driving licences via Paotang app in Thailand
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank launched a new service allowing people to apply for international driving licences through the Paotang app, offering convenience and speed with 24-hour accessibility. This collaboration aims to enhance public services through digital technology. The initiative was announced by Suparpong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, alongside Jirut Wisanjit, DLT Director General, and…
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