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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Charged up and rolling: GAC Aion sparks production of maiden battery EVs by June 2024
GAC Aion New Energy Automobile, the electric vehicle (EV) wing of Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), China’s second-largest EV purveyor, outlined plans to initiate the assembly of its maiden battery EVs by June 2024. The production is slated to occur at the brand’s nascent factory within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Gu Huinan, GAC Aion’s managing director, anticipates the assembly of…
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THAI to reintroduce 9 domestic routes after closure plan of Thai Smile Airways
Thai Airways (THAI) revealed that the airline is planning to reintroduce nine domestic routes by the end of this year following the closure plan of its subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways. In February, THAI announced that it would merge with Thai Smile Airways according to its business rehabilitation plan. All 800 Thai Smile Airways staff members would be transferred to work…
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Thailand’s transport sector set for major 29.7 billion baht upgrade
A bright future is on the horizon for Thailand’s transport and logistics system. The Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, has recently outlined his ambitious plans for the country’s railways and maritime sectors. Revealed during his inaugural speech, these policies are set to be formally announced next week. Suriya believes that by focusing on these areas of transport improvement, Thailand can significantly…
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Pink Line mass-transit system offers free rides in November trial
Free rides are on the horizon for Thailand’s Pink Line mass-transit system in November as announced on the government’s Thai Khu Fah Facebook page. The 34.5-kilometre monorail system is currently undergoing trial runs, a crucial step in the preparation phase before its official launch, as revealed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The Pink Line’s trial runs…
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Ticket turbulence: Thai airlines aim to price things right amid rising costs
Thai airlines plan to explain the accusations of raising ticket prices amid higher jet fuel costs. The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) announced it will host a seminar to clarify airfare structures and CAAT price regulations following consumer complaints. Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool stated that price increases mainly occurred during extended holidays due to high demand, impacting last-minute bookings.…
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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…
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Shock and recharge: Thailand’s EV sector hopes for spark
The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) expects greater manufacturer interest in Thailand’s EV sector. The latest incentive package might be less appealing than earlier ones. Current incentives consist of tax reductions and subsidies for car producers and importers. These incentives aim to boost EV production and consumption from 2022 to 2023. The incentives range from 70,000 to 150,000 baht…
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Sub-merging optimism: Thai’s submarine engine deal with Germany and China
The Thai government is hopeful of a renewed agreement with Germany and China, centring around the engine for a new submarine under construction in China. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang conveyed his confidence in a mutually beneficial deal between the three nations. The discourse involves the potential installation of a German-made engine in the Chinese manufactured submarine, as initially stipulated by…
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Air Canada to passengers: Sit in vomit-stained seats or be blacklisted
Air Canada publicly apologised following an incident where two passengers were forced to sit in seats contaminated with vomit from a previous flight. The flight in question journeyed from an airport in Las Vegas in the US to Montreal, Canada on August 26. Susan Benson, a passenger on the flight, shared the distressing ordeal on Facebook on August 29. Initially, they…
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Thai taxi talk tiff: Dialect debate drives social media stir
The Thai Taxi Association ignited a heated debate on the nation’s social media platforms after they advised the capital’s taxi drivers to avoid talking to passengers in the Isaan dialect in order to level up the service standard of Thai taxis. Bangkok is considered to have the most taxis in Thailand due to the bustling demand for their services making…
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Pattaya Central Tunnel to install CCTV to deter motorcycle riders
Pattaya’s Central Tunnel, a vital shortcut for local commuters, has been the centre of a heated debate involving the city’s Mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, and the persistent motorcycle riders who choose to ignore established safety regulations. Despite a standing prohibition, an estimated 5,000 motorcycles continue to navigate the tunnel every month, leading to the proposal of a new deterrent – the…
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Thailand’s first expressway tunnel proposed through 36 billion baht investment
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has put forth a proposal for an underground expressway, aiming to replace a contentious section of the N1 Expressway development. The proposal came after an extensive 17-month initial feasibility study. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed this plan during the project’s second hearing, stating that multiple factors such as engineering, investment costs, and environmental impact,…
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Nissan nightmare: Car inferno at Prachin Buri petrol station, owner vanishes
A Nissan sedan caught fire at a petrol station in the central Prachin Buri province today, though the owner of the burning car seemingly disappeared. The blaze prompted a swift response from the station staff and local fire services. The incident occurred at approximately 8.45am today, along Route 304, Mueang Kabin Buri-entrance to Nakhon Ratchasima, in the old city area of…
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TikToker shares flight passenger’s smelly feet on her armrest
A recent incident on a plane has sparked outrage among online viewers of a viral post. A woman shared a video on TikTok, showing her disgust as a fellow flight passenger placed his stinky feet on her armrest. The video was posted by the username @kenggii, and it has since amassed a significant number of views and comments, raising serious…
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Traffic obstruction: Minivan group apologizes for accident in Buriram
The president of the Sailom Club minivan group acknowledged wrongdoing in an incident where a tour van obstructed traffic at a four-way intersection to allow a convoy of vans to pass through. The traffic obstruction incident, which led to an accident, sparked criticism and questions over who gave the group the authority to impede traffic in such a manner. The…
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Chalong underpass closure in Phuket tonight for essential pump repairs
Phuket’s Chalong Underpass will be inaccessible to all traffic tonight due to closure to perform critical repair works on the tunnel’s pump system. The Phuket Highways Office has issued a statement detailing the closure timings, which commence from 9pm today and extend until 5am tomorrow. This is not the first instance of such a closure; the region’s ongoing rainy season…
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Deliveroo dilemma: Thai delivery riders seek Labour Ministry aid after road woes
Thai delivery riders seek the Ministry of Labour‘s aid for legal and financial assistance post-road accidents. Spokesperson Supaporn Phanprasit underlined the daily hazards of handling apps, and e-commerce. Rushing for deadlines leads to accidents, injuries, and worse. The group laments the lack of financial assistance or compensation from either the parties involved in the accident or the platform operators. The…
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Smooth ride: Phuket Airport opens doors to all ride-hailing taxi services for travellers
Phuket International Airport will begin welcoming taxis from all ride–hailing applications as of Friday, September 1, according to the Phuket Info Center managed by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior. The policy revision has been confirmed by Kirati Kitmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand (AoT). However, the new allowance comes with specific regulations and designated zones, the details…
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Thailand’s transit twist: Electric plans spark train fare cap talks in Bangkok
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) in Thailand is currently considering plans to deliver on the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s promise of introducing a cap on Bangkok’s electric train fares at 20 baht per trip. This was announced by a department source on Monday, who also revealed that the findings from this investigation will be presented to the new administration once…
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Thai Taxi Association’s controversial tips for satisfactory rides spark debate
The Thai Taxi Association stirred debate by posting six tips to ensure a satisfactory taxi ride. The recommendations include asking before getting in, not forgetting to tip, and calling for a Grab taxi during peak hours or if the location is difficult for a regular taxi to reach. The Thai Taxi Association’s Facebook page recently shared these suggestions, aiming to…
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UPDATE: Thai passengers ejected from flight over fight with cabin crew over luggage
An update to the original story about a woman from a group complaining on social media to criticise the air hostess and cabin crew for refusing to help her carry the luggage. Prominent YouTuber and influencer, Akaradej Yothajun, known as Benz Apache, recently recounted the same dramatic incident aboard a flight from Vietnam to Thailand. He reported that 16 Thai…
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Passenger criticises air hostess over luggage assistance refusal
[An UPDATE to this story paints a different perspective to the original confrontation with the air hostess over the passenger’s luggage.] An incident occurred yesterday when a woman took to social media to criticise an air hostess for refusing to assist her with her luggage. The woman, who was on a VietJet airline flight, lamented the poor service and asked…
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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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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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Bumpy road, broken spirits: Buriram locals rally for repairs after 50 years of dismay
Residents of Kok Pho in Buriram expressed their dismay at the state of a dilapidated road that has been in a state of disrepair for over 50 years, causing numerous accidents and commuting a challenge. They urgently request relevant authorities to expedite road repairs. Representatives from the villages of Kok Pho and Kok Ta Baek in the Isaan Khet district…
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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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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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Pattaya roadwork hazards exposed as woman flips car in early morning accident
A woman driver lost control of her vehicle, collided with a barrier, causing the car to overturn on a road in Chon Buri. The roadworks accident occurred around 4am today when Pattaya was undergoing widespread road surface drilling. Chonlawit Athipansi, Deputy Inspector (Investigator) of Pattaya City Police Station, and his team were informed of the car accident on Sukhumvit Road,…
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