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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Thailand ensures utmost safety during Loy Krathong travel surge
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced robust preparations for the anticipated large crowds during the Loy Krathong festival. Officials are expecting a significant influx of both domestic and international travellers participating in the festivities across Bangkok and other provinces. Suriya has directed various agencies to improve travel accessibility and ensure safety across all modes of transport, including…
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Bangkok set for traffic chaos as flyovers close for Orange Line
Heavy traffic congestion looms over Bangkok as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) prepares to close and demolish three key flyovers for the construction of the Orange Line electric train route. This significant infrastructure project is set to begin tomorrow, November 15, causing major traffic disruptions in some of the city’s busiest areas. The BMA announced yesterday its plan to dismantle…
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Motorcycle gang with foreign flags disrupts Thai traffic (video)
A disruptive motorcycle gang, displaying flags of a neighbouring country, caused havoc on a Thai roadway, obstructing traffic and leaving drivers frustrated. The incident, initially highlighted on TikTok by a user named Ginnaralynn, occurred yesterday, November 12, drawing attention to the reckless behaviour of the bikers. The viral video showed a group of big bikes, prominently featuring flags from a…
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Bangkok to beat the gridlock with new congestion charge
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit revealed that Bangkok could soon join cities like London and Singapore with a congestion charge aimed at unclogging the city’s crowded streets and reducing pollution. Suriya announced a six-month timeline for the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to finalise a study identifying the best model for implementing the charge. “We’re looking at…
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Bangkok plans cycling lanes to ease congestion in key districts
The capital’s bustling streets may soon see a transformation as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Thailand Walking and Cycling Institute Foundation (TWCIF) are set to introduce a walking and cycling lane project in four heavily congested areas. A feasibility study for this initiative is scheduled to conclude next month, setting the stage for a city-wide shift in transportation…
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Tunnel expressway project shelved due to projected lack of returns
Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced the cancellation of a major expressway infrastructure project’s underground component. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) will not proceed with the tunnel section of the Phase 3 Northern Expressway project (N1 section), which was designed to connect the Si Rat Expressway to both Ngamwongwan and Prasert Manukit roads. The decision comes…
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Thailand gears up for excise tax as it charges into electric future
Thailand is set to adjust its automotive excise tax structure to reflect the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), according to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. This move aims to harmonise local policies with international trends in the automotive industry, particularly as the competition between battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) intensifies. Paopoom highlighted the uncertainty…
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Airport initiative boosts culture and economy in northern Thailand
Phitsanulok and Nan airports have introduced an innovative Live Airport concept aimed at highlighting the cultural identities of these provinces while generating sustainable economic benefits for local communities. The initiative was inaugurated on November 1 and seeks to position airports as not only transit points but also as cultural gateways into the region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, accompanied by…
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Patong slams brakes on taxi conflicts to boost tourism image
Efforts are underway in Patong to reorganise the city’s unscrupulous motorcycle taxi services following a recent conflict among drivers over passenger pickups. Local police in the bustling tourist destination are taking steps to address the situation, which has negatively impacted the area’s reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, a member of the People’s Party representing Phuket, revealed that a meeting took place yesterday…
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High-speed airport rail link contract still pending review
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced today that the amended contract for the high-speed airport rail link connecting three major airports cannot yet be presented to the Cabinet this week, as it awaits thorough review from the State Enterprise Committee. Suriya today, November 4, said he plans to discuss the timeline with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who…
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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…
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Bangkok MRT Orange Line construction to disrupt traffic this month
Construction on the western segment of Bangkok’s MRT Orange Line is set to bring some disruptions, as announced by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The project, which aims to enhance the city’s transit network, will necessitate the closure of a traffic lane along the initial five stops of the light rail line, stretching from Bang Khun Non…
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Karon police ‘taxi’ the bull by the horns: No more illegal rides
Karon police have hit back at online accusations claiming they’ve been lax in tackling illegal taxi operations. In a bold announcement, they revealed that a whopping 208 illegal taxis have been stopped and seized since the start of July. In a statement released earlier yesterday, October 31, Karon Police reassured the public that their officers have been conducting checkpoints at…
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Bangkok’s Orange Line expansion advances with overpass removals
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is accelerating discussions with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to dismantle overpasses in anticipation of the Orange Line’s expansion. This strategic move is set to facilitate the construction of the western segment of the Bang Khun Non-Min Buri rail system, aiming for completion by 2030. Vithaya Punmongkol, acting governor for the MRTA,…
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Thailand ambitions take off: 6 projects to boost transport hub status
The Transport Ministry of Thailand is advancing six airport development and construction projects to position the country as a regional transportation hub. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that representatives from the ministry’s Airport Department, Airports of Thailand, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies recently attended the 59th Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference in the Philippines.…
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EXAT digs deep but hits financial roadblock on N1 Expressway
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) seems set to abandon its plans for an underground route in the controversial N1 Expressway development, citing financial concerns. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed that the board has decided to delay the project after a study raised serious doubts about its financial viability. Despite a promising equity internal rate of return (EIRR) projected at…
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Thailand’s auto industry brakes as production target stalls
Thailand’s auto industry is stuck in first gear, with car production now expected to fall short of the 1.7 million target for 2024 as sales and exports hit a serious slump. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warns that car manufacturing could face another downgrade this year, with officials predicting a sharp drop from the original target of 1.7 million…
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Thailand plans 71.6 kilometres expressway connecting Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan
Thailand’s Expressway Authority (EXAT) is planning a new expressway spanning 71.6 kilometres to connect Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan, aiming to significantly improve the transport infrastructure between these two provinces. The proposed project, named the Samut Sakhon-Samut Prakan Riviera, was disclosed by a source familiar with the matter. The project, with an estimated budget of 109.25 billion baht (US$3.2 billion),…
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Thailand to build own trains, expand rail network to 7,500 km
Thailand is set to advance its railway technology with a government directive for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the National Research and Development Institute of Rail Technology (NRDIT) to produce their locomotives and trains. This initiative aims to expand the country’s rail network from its current 4,044 kilometres to 7,500 kilometres in the future. Director of the NRDIT,…
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Phuket faces a splash of chaos as waterworks fixes leak
Phuket Waterworks Authority (PWA) announced urgent repairs on a leaking water pipe at the notorious three-way intersection in front of Wat Patong, scheduled for tomorrow. The work, which will run from 1am to 6pm, tomorrow, Saturday, October 26, will force the closure of one westbound lane on Phra Baramee Road. Traffic chaos is expected to spill over into the surrounding…
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Port progress ‘pier’-fectly on track: Laem Chabang sailing ahead
Laem Chabang Port’s third development phase is sailing ahead, now reaching around 45% completion, with Pier F poised to debut by late 2027, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri confirmed. This ambitious project forms a cornerstone of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Development Plan and is among the top 15 infrastructure priorities under the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration. However, the latest report…
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Andaman Riviera set to ‘pave’ the way with final report in February
The ambitious Andaman Riviera project, a 50 billion baht (US$1.5 billion) initiative to construct over 600 kilometres of new roads along Thailand’s Andaman coast, is set to see its final report completed in February. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OPT) confirmed the development yesterday, October 21. Chaiwat Sangkhaphak, OTP Division Director for Transport and Traffic System…
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Bangkok-Vientiane rail adds carriage to match 13,000+ passengers
More than 13,000 passengers have utilised the cross-border service of the Bangkok-Vientiane rail route since its inauguration on July 19, leading the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to add another passenger carriage to meet the increased demand. Governor of the SRT, Veeris Ammarapala announced yesterday, October 20, that he had recently met with Daochinda Siharat, Lao National Railway State Enterprise…
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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…
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All aboard: Vietnam charts a 7.2 billion baht track to China
Vietnam announced an estimated cost of 179 trillion dong (US$7.2 billion) to build a new railway connecting it with China‘s Yunnan province. The proposed 427-kilometre railway will traverse from Lao Cai province, through Hanoi, and extend to the port city of Haiphong and Ha Long City, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The country is actively pursuing the upgrade of…
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Don Mueang Tollway projects revenue boost amid rising traffic
Don Mueang Tollway Public Company Limited (DMT) forecasts a bright performance for the third quarter of this year heading into the High Season of Q4. The surge in tourism, both foreign and domestic, is expected to boost passenger numbers and traffic on the elevated tollway. Sakda Phanwai, the Managing Director, expressed optimism as Thai AirAsia X relocated its flights back…
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Highways reopen after Chiang Rai flood chaos
Flood-ravaged Chiang Rai is getting back on its feet, with crucial roadways reopened after devastating landslides. The Department of Highways (DOH) has fast-tracked repairs to reconnect communities isolated by torrential rains, particularly along the vital Highway 1150, linking Wiang Pa Pao in Chiang Rai to Phrao in Chiang Mai. This key route, blocked by multiple landslides, had halted travel and…
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EEC high-speed rail contract revisions to Cabinet in two weeks
Proposed revisions to the contract for the high-speed rail project connecting three major airports are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet within two weeks, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Pichai, who also chairs the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, announced that the committee had approved changes to five critical points in the contract. The committee is currently…
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ID check-mate: DLT gears up for tight security drive with ThaID app
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is cracking down on security, rolling out mandatory identity checks with the ThaID app from November 1 for anyone booking driving license and vehicle registration slots. That’s right, no more easy rides—it’s high-tech all the way via the DLT Smart Queue app and website! Today, October 15, Seksom Akkharaphan, the no-nonsense Deputy Director-General and…
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Bangkok to sign MoU for Orange Line, road closures expected
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) for the transfer of areas during the construction of the Orange Line’s western section this week. Tawatchai Napasaksri, director of BMA’s Public Works Department, confirmed that the committee overseeing the handover of roads in Bangkok, along with…
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