Transport
- Thailand News
Thailand’s seaplane tourism venture set for December
Deputy Minister of Transport Manaporn Charoensri paved the way for Thailand’s first seaplane tourism venture yesterday in Phuket, by inaugurating a three-day workshop titled First Seaplane Operations Toward Thailand’s Aviation Hub. Manaporn asserted that the initiative was in line with Prime Minister Settha Thavisin’s policies focused on revitalising the national economy, enhancing air transportation efficiency, and positioning Thailand as a…
- Thailand News
Fashioning diplomacy: Thailand’s soft power exchange with France
Thailand is set to partner with France, known for its soft power prowess in areas such as fashion and tourism, in a knowledge exchange initiative spearheaded by the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN). The deal was set in motion following inter-agency discussions between the two nations. The most recent, being the fifth high-level economic dialogue (HLED), saw the DTN Director-General…
- Thailand News
Thailand announces toll-free expressways for Coronation Day
Thailand celebrates as the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announces toll exemptions on three major expressways for Coronation Day on May 4. In a move to facilitate travel during the public holiday and alleviate expenses for citizens, some 60 toll booths across the Chalerm Maha Nakhon, Si Rat, and Udon Ratthaya expressways will not charge fees for 24 hours. The…
- Transport News
Songkran festival sees 1% rise in public transport usage in Thailand
Public transport usage during this year’s Songkran festival experienced a 1% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, with around 5.6 million travellers across Thailand, as reported by the Transport Ministry. The minister, Suriya Juengrungreangkit, reassured that the public transport networks were effectively managing the increased number of passengers and vehicles on the country’s main transportation routes.…
- Business News
Pilatus Marine to expand LPG marine transport across Asia
Pilatus Marine, Thailand’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) marine transport operator, is set to expand its services throughout Asia. The move forms part of a strategic initiative to increase its customer base and cater to the rising demand for marine transport of LPG and olefins, a crucial ingredient in plastic production. According to Chief Executive, Varawit Chimtawan, the expansion is…
- Thailand News
Khon Kaen plans for state-of-the-art light rail transit system
Khon Kaen province declared its intention to kickstart the construction of a cutting-edge Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Planned to begin in 2025, this ambitious LRT project, the first of its kind outside Bangkok, promises to usher in a new era of modernised transit, with its inaugural route encircling the Bueng Kaen Nakhon Reservoir. The maiden phase of this visionary…
- 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
Bangkok’s expressway toll fees skyrocket starting today
Toll fees along Bangkok’s Chalong Rat and Burapha Withi expressways are seeing a steep increase starting from today, March 1. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) dropped this bombshell earlier this month, announcing a hefty hike in toll charges. For four-wheel vehicles traversing the Chalong Rat Expressway, be prepared to shell out an extra 5 baht, pushing the toll to…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s traffic crisis: over 500,000 vehicles clog the island’s roads
The Thai holiday resort of Phuket is grappling with a serious traffic problem. Senate Transportation Commission Chairman, General Yodyut Bunyathikarn, was informed on his recent visit to the island that over half a million vehicles are congesting the roads. Gen. Yodyut’s two-day visit aimed to understand the issues and challenges in implementing transportation and infrastructure projects in Phuket. During a meeting at…
- Thailand News
Songkhla sings new tune: Lifting bus restrictions could drive cross-border travel
Songkhla province is considering lifting restrictions on foreign-registered buses, potentially allowing them to cross provincial boundaries. The move aims to attract more visitors, predominantly from Malaysia, to explore other scenic destinations in southern Thailand, reveals a local tourism authority. President of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, Charoon Kaewwaveesub, disclosed today that Songkhla, in collaboration with the local land transport office, has…
- Thailand News
Police coordinate heart transport from Chanthaburi to Siriraj
A life-saving mission unfolded as police expedited the delivery of a heart from Chanthaburi to Siriraj Hospital within a critical four-hour window. The high-stakes relay kicked off at 9.30am from Prapokklao Hospital in Chanthaburi, employing a specific route through major highways to ensure the organ’s timely arrival. The FM91 Trafficpro page’s call for public cooperation reverberated across social media, urging…
- Thailand News
MFP MP Suphanat makes recommendations to improvements at Mo Chit 2
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Bangkok District 9 Suphanat Minchainan made recommendations for improving the escalators and lifts at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal. Suphanat suggested that the deputy minister of transport and executives should listen to service users in terms of the issues that have arisen regarding the station and that they shouldn’t rely on their judgment. He…
- Thailand News
Thai EV drivers demand more charging stations for smoother travel
Electric vehicle (EV) owners are voicing concerns over a lack of charging stations, as they scramble to charge their vehicles before embarking on the Korat-Bang Pa-in Motorway. The public is calling on the government to seriously support the increasing use of EVs. As people steadily return to Bangkok and central and eastern provinces, those driving EVs must plan their journeys…
- Thailand News
Eco-friendly e-pedicabs revolutionise Vientiane’s transport scene
In a groundbreaking move towards a greener, quieter Vientiane, the Laos-Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project has unveiled an innovative non-motorised initiative set to transform the city centre. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Department of Transport, the project aims to combat air and noise pollution. Introducing a novel addition to the bustling streets of Vientiane, the project…
- Phuket News
Phuket president seeks solutions for traffic, proposes electric buses
Phuket’s traffic woes might soon see a respite, with Rewat Areerob, the President of Phuket’s Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), urging Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to implement measures to ease the city’s road congestion. Additionally, Rewat is advocating for the introduction of electric buses in Phuket Town, under the PPAO’s jurisdiction. Rewat yesterday played host to travel experts and policy planning…
- Phuket News
Phuket transport twist: Anytime car caught in green-plate pickle, faces regulatory roadblock
Bright and early yesterday morning, representatives from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) descended upon Patong. Their mission? To probe into an Anytime car-sharing vehicle found parked in a spot earmarked for green-plate taxis and tourist rental vehicles. This inspection was initially reported by the Phuket Info Center. It was noted that the PLTO, in conjunction with police and other…
- Transport News
Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail endorsed by PM for easy city commute
Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail route was given a stamp of approval today by Thailand’s Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who described the new mode of transport as “comfortable.” Setting off from the Yellow Line railway depot on Srinagarindra Road, he and his entourage embarked on a 45 minute journey covering the entire monorail line and reaching Lat Phrao. Though the…
- Transport News
DRT urges partial Pink Line monorail launch to ease Bangkok traffic
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has called on the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to partially open the main routes of the Pink Line monorail to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The 34.5-kilometre MRT Pink Line is set to connect Khae Rai in Nonthaburi with Min Buri district in east Bangkok via Ram Inthra Road, with…
- Transport News
Thailand’s Pink Line monorail project faces third extension, delays completion to 2024
The completion date for Thailand‘s Pink Line monorail project has been pushed back by 345 days, marking the third extension granted by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The new estimated finish date is now set for August 2024, as opposed to the previously anticipated July this year, Bangkok Post reported. Sarawut Songsivilai, Highways Department director-general and MRTA…
- Transport News
New bus route connects major malls in Pattaya and Bangkok
For all the shopaholics out there, travelling between three different shopping malls in Thailand is about to get easier. In a joint effort by Central Pattana and Klook, a new bus route is being launched to operate between three major malls in Pattaya and Bangkok: Central World, Central Pattaya, and Central Village, with fares of only 190 baht. Yesterday, Nattakit…
- Transport News
Bangkok’s number of train passengers reaches all-time high
Bangkok‘s number of train passengers reached an all-time high on Friday, February 10. The number of people travelling by rail in and around Thailand’s capital city climbed to 1,577,330 that day, according to the Department of Rail Transport. The department’s numbers revealed that the BTS Green Line served the most passengers, with 916,390 people using the service, followed by the…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok BTS Skytrain fares to increase next year
Global inflation is rising and so is the cost of a ticket on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain. The BTS Skytrain will get a little bit pricier on January 1, 2023, according to an announcement made by the Bangkok Transit System Corporation (BTSC) today. Fares on the Sukhumvit (Mo Chit – On Nut) and Silom (National Stadium – Saphan Taksin) lines will…
- Transport News
Trains headed to most parts of Thailand now leaving from this Bangkok station
Trains headed toward most parts of Thailand are now leaving Bangkok Bang Sue Grand Station as of today, except eastbound trains. Most long-distance, rapid, and express trains will now terminate at the station. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said that tickets for long-distance trains will be available on the southern side of the ground floor. The SRT said that making…
- Economy News
Thai cabinet extends excise diesel tax cut for 2 more months
The Thai Cabinet is extending the country’s excise diesel tax cut for another two months after diesel prices hit Thailand hard this year. The cut of five baht per litre will be extended from September 21 to November 20. The elimination of excise tax on bio-diesel and bunker oil used to generate power will also continue from September 16 to…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok governor wants to control crowds at train stations after accident
Following the accident where 27 people got injured falling down an escalator, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is looking to decrease overcrowding at train stations. The governor said that one possibility could be to limit the number of people that can enter crowded stations. Chadchart said this would possibly be an option pending consultation with train operators. Chadchart said today that…
- Bangkok News
Details on Bangkok’s Green Line train contracts to be publicly disclosed
Details on contracts for Bangkok’s Green Line Train are set to be publicly disclosed, although it has not been announced when. Krungthep Thanakom has agreed to publicly disclose details of its contract and memorandum of understanding with Bangkok Mass Transit System PLC, more commonly known in the capital as BTS. The contracts are for the first and second extensions of…
- Transport News
Thailand aims to complete high-speed rail link with China by 2028
Thailand aims to finish constructing the high-speed rail link which will connect China with the Land of Smiles by 2028, according to the Transport and Foreign Affairs ministries. As it stands, the project is only 5% complete – casting doubts on Thailand’s ability to fulfil their recent pledge to get the job done in the next six years. Beijing plans…
- Transport News
Free parking at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during July holidays
Suvarnabhumi International Airport announced that free parking will be available at its long term car park at Zone C – which can accommodate 718 vehicles – during two long holidays this month. Parking will be free for 6 days from midnight on July 12 until midnight on July 18 in celebration of Asanha Bucha day (July 13) and the beginning…
- 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…