Ban for Double-Decker Buses on Seven Risky Routes During Songkran Festival

[Georgealbert]

 

File picture from reference only.

 

The Ministry of Transport has announced a ban on double-decker interprovincial buses from using seven identified high-risk routes during the upcoming Songkran holiday, citing safety concerns. Violations of the new regulation could result in fines of up to 50,000 baht.

 

The announcement was made during the launch of the Ministry’s annual road safety campaign for the Thai New Year at the Department of Land Transport’s Road Transport Innovation and Technology Centre. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote presided over the event, which promotes safe and seamless travel under the theme “Happy Songkran: Smooth and Safe Travel Across the Transport Network.”

 

 

The Ministry’s preparations for the Songkran holiday focus on two key areas:

 

1. Convenience and Cost Reduction – Ensuring every traveller has access to transport services, the Ministry has coordinated with relevant agencies to provide additional buses and trains, improve public transport connectivity, and station staff to offer travel information and receive complaints. A nationwide 10% fare reduction on all interprovincial buses operated by the state-owned Transport Co., Ltd. (Baw Kaw Saw) will also be applied during the Ministry’s “Leave Early – Return Late” travel window.

 

2. Safety Measures – Rigorous vehicle inspections will be carried out at the departure point, during transit (at checkpoints), and upon arrival. Drivers must be sober, healthy, and well-rested. Risky behaviours, such as speeding and excessive work hours, will be monitored via GPS. Buses travelling over 400 km must have at least two drivers on board.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong also announced the implementation of new safety regulations specifically aimed at preventing deadly accidents involving double-decker tour buses. After consulting with the Department of Highways, the Ministry has identified seven hazardous routes, defined by steep inclines and past accident statistics, where double-decker buses are now prohibited:

 

1. Prachin Buri – Highway 304: Kabin Buri to Wang Nam Khiao

2. Phatthalung – Highway 4: Khao Phap Pha to Phatthalung

3. Phrae – Highway 103: Mae Yang Ho to Mae Teeb

4. Chiang Mai – Highway 118: Chiang Mai to Doi Nang Kaew

5. Loei – Highway 2013: Bo Pho to Khok Ngam

6. Phetchabun – Highway 2331: Cho Hoa to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park

7. Nan – Highway 1256: Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park

 

The Department of Land Transport will monitor these routes using GPS tracking. Any double-decker tour bus found to have violated the ban will trigger a summons for both the driver and the operator, with penalties of up to 50,000 baht.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong assured that the new regulation will not adversely affect bus operators, as consultations have already taken place and operators have agreed to comply.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sorapong Paitoonphong, stated that public transport usage during Songkran (11–17 April 2025) is expected to reach 2.52 million passenger trips. Of these, approximately 993,000 will travel by interprovincial buses, 770,000 by air, and 757,000 by intercity rail.

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

[flyingtlger]

Don't ban the buses, ban the dangerous operators.....

 

[Jim Blue]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

File picture from reference only.

 

The Ministry of Transport has announced a ban on double-decker interprovincial buses from using seven identified high-risk routes during the upcoming Songkran holiday, citing safety concerns. Violations of the new regulation could result in fines of up to 50,000 baht.

 

The announcement was made during the launch of the Ministry’s annual road safety campaign for the Thai New Year at the Department of Land Transport’s Road Transport Innovation and Technology Centre. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote presided over the event, which promotes safe and seamless travel under the theme “Happy Songkran: Smooth and Safe Travel Across the Transport Network.”

 

 

The Ministry’s preparations for the Songkran holiday focus on two key areas:

 

1. Convenience and Cost Reduction – Ensuring every traveller has access to transport services, the Ministry has coordinated with relevant agencies to provide additional buses and trains, improve public transport connectivity, and station staff to offer travel information and receive complaints. A nationwide 10% fare reduction on all interprovincial buses operated by the state-owned Transport Co., Ltd. (Baw Kaw Saw) will also be applied during the Ministry’s “Leave Early – Return Late” travel window.

 

2. Safety Measures – Rigorous vehicle inspections will be carried out at the departure point, during transit (at checkpoints), and upon arrival. Drivers must be sober, healthy, and well-rested. Risky behaviours, such as speeding and excessive work hours, will be monitored via GPS. Buses travelling over 400 km must have at least two drivers on board.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong also announced the implementation of new safety regulations specifically aimed at preventing deadly accidents involving double-decker tour buses. After consulting with the Department of Highways, the Ministry has identified seven hazardous routes, defined by steep inclines and past accident statistics, where double-decker buses are now prohibited:

 

1. Prachin Buri – Highway 304: Kabin Buri to Wang Nam Khiao

2. Phatthalung – Highway 4: Khao Phap Pha to Phatthalung

3. Phrae – Highway 103: Mae Yang Ho to Mae Teeb

4. Chiang Mai – Highway 118: Chiang Mai to Doi Nang Kaew

5. Loei – Highway 2013: Bo Pho to Khok Ngam

6. Phetchabun – Highway 2331: Cho Hoa to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park

7. Nan – Highway 1256: Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park

 

The Department of Land Transport will monitor these routes using GPS tracking. Any double-decker tour bus found to have violated the ban will trigger a summons for both the driver and the operator, with penalties of up to 50,000 baht.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong assured that the new regulation will not adversely affect bus operators, as consultations have already taken place and operators have agreed to comply.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sorapong Paitoonphong, stated that public transport usage during Songkran (11–17 April 2025) is expected to reach 2.52 million passenger trips. Of these, approximately 993,000 will travel by interprovincial buses, 770,000 by air, and 757,000 by intercity rail.

 

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

Does it run or fly ,

[edwinchester]

"The Department of Land Transport will monitor these routes using GPS tracking."

 

"Risky behaviours, such as speeding and excessive work hours, will be monitored via GPS."

 

Not exactly proactive is it considering how easily a tracker can 'accidentally' be disabled.

[quake]

I thought the jokes were 5 days ago.

T.I.T.

 

[anchadian]

Again, it's not just Songkran, it's every day of the year.

[petedk]

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Violations of the new regulation could result in fines of up to 50,000 baht.

 

The operative word being "could." 

 

Also, why are they only banned during Songkran? I would love to know how many actually get fined because I am sure they will out and about on those roads.

[bkk6060]

Look forward to terrible reports of them crashing.

[Tubulat]

On 4/6/2025 at 8:20 AM, anchadian said:

Again, it's not just Songkran, it's every day of the year.

• "Location:Living on Mars since 2001. Still waiting for a lift home"

That is a matter of jumping hard, as there is no gravity.
btw. didn't you bring a skippy ball when you went there.

[hotchilli]

On 4/6/2025 at 3:26 AM, Georgealbert said:

“Happy Songkran: Smooth and Safe Travel Across the Transport Network.”

Sounds quite catchy... in reality the numbers will prove otherwise.

[newbee2022]

On 4/6/2025 at 3:26 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

File picture from reference only.

 

The Ministry of Transport has announced a ban on double-decker interprovincial buses from using seven identified high-risk routes during the upcoming Songkran holiday, citing safety concerns. Violations of the new regulation could result in fines of up to 50,000 baht.

 

The announcement was made during the launch of the Ministry’s annual road safety campaign for the Thai New Year at the Department of Land Transport’s Road Transport Innovation and Technology Centre. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote presided over the event, which promotes safe and seamless travel under the theme “Happy Songkran: Smooth and Safe Travel Across the Transport Network.”

 

 

The Ministry’s preparations for the Songkran holiday focus on two key areas:

 

1. Convenience and Cost Reduction – Ensuring every traveller has access to transport services, the Ministry has coordinated with relevant agencies to provide additional buses and trains, improve public transport connectivity, and station staff to offer travel information and receive complaints. A nationwide 10% fare reduction on all interprovincial buses operated by the state-owned Transport Co., Ltd. (Baw Kaw Saw) will also be applied during the Ministry’s “Leave Early – Return Late” travel window.

 

2. Safety Measures – Rigorous vehicle inspections will be carried out at the departure point, during transit (at checkpoints), and upon arrival. Drivers must be sober, healthy, and well-rested. Risky behaviours, such as speeding and excessive work hours, will be monitored via GPS. Buses travelling over 400 km must have at least two drivers on board.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong also announced the implementation of new safety regulations specifically aimed at preventing deadly accidents involving double-decker tour buses. After consulting with the Department of Highways, the Ministry has identified seven hazardous routes, defined by steep inclines and past accident statistics, where double-decker buses are now prohibited:

 

1. Prachin Buri – Highway 304: Kabin Buri to Wang Nam Khiao

2. Phatthalung – Highway 4: Khao Phap Pha to Phatthalung

3. Phrae – Highway 103: Mae Yang Ho to Mae Teeb

4. Chiang Mai – Highway 118: Chiang Mai to Doi Nang Kaew

5. Loei – Highway 2013: Bo Pho to Khok Ngam

6. Phetchabun – Highway 2331: Cho Hoa to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park

7. Nan – Highway 1256: Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park

 

The Department of Land Transport will monitor these routes using GPS tracking. Any double-decker tour bus found to have violated the ban will trigger a summons for both the driver and the operator, with penalties of up to 50,000 baht.

 

Deputy Minister Surapong assured that the new regulation will not adversely affect bus operators, as consultations have already taken place and operators have agreed to comply.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sorapong Paitoonphong, stated that public transport usage during Songkran (11–17 April 2025) is expected to reach 2.52 million passenger trips. Of these, approximately 993,000 will travel by interprovincial buses, 770,000 by air, and 757,000 by intercity rail.

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

Good move. Could you do it nationwide for all roads, please?👍

[khunjeff]

These buses are either safe or they aren't. If they're safe, allow them everywhere, and if not, ban them completely. This "compromise" solution makes no sense at all.

[Olav Seglem]

 Bad idea.

Keep instead:

Busses well maintained and controlled.

Check quality and educate drivers.

Monitor work/rest hours.

Use safety belts.

[fredwiggy]

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Good move. Could you do it nationwide for all roads, please?👍

Ban bus transportation from all of Thailand? It isn't the buses that are any problem unless they fail inspection. It's the drivers who are using cell phones, eating while driving, inebriated or over tired. If they followed protocol, accidents would disappear as far as the buses and drivers being at fault.

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Ban bus transportation from all of Thailand? It isn't the buses that are any problem unless they fail inspection. It's the drivers who are using cell phones, eating while driving, inebriated or over tired. If they followed protocol, accidents would disappear as far as the buses and drivers being at fault.

All right, but the double deckers are too high and too small. The safety standards I won't mention. 

It's all about road safety. (Drivers included)

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

All right, but the double deckers are too high and too small. The safety standards I won't mention. 

It's all about road safety. (Drivers included)

The higher the vehicle, the slower and more carefully you drive. I'm sure you've seen thousands of instances of vehicles piled high with almost everything imaginable daily on Thai roads. This isn't allowed in the west but accidents waiting to happen here.

[actonion]

Let's have some  people who know what they're talking about  on this Annual Road Safety campaign, the Ministry is made up of Thai's who drive just the same as the rest of them,  so how is it going to be a safe campaign>?

[newbee2022]

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The higher the vehicle, the slower and more carefully you drive. I'm sure you've seen thousands of instances of vehicles piled high with almost everything imaginable daily on Thai roads. This isn't allowed in the west but accidents waiting to happen here.

Exactly. When I see this in front of me I'm very cautious with overtaking 

[watchcat]

On 4/5/2025 at 8:26 PM, Georgealbert said:

a ban on double-decker interprovincial buses from using seven identified high-risk routes during the upcoming Songkran holiday,

 

Ah just during Songkran holiday but after they're safe.?

[thongplay]

If these routes are not safe for Songkran they are not safe any day. If these measures are necessary for Songkran they are necessary every day.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, thongplay said:

If these routes are not safe for Songkran they are not safe any day. If these measures are necessary for Songkran they are necessary every day.

 

Similar to years gone past when an announcement has been made that riding in the back of a pickup is illegal and such laws will be enforced over Songkran... 

 

.. Then a backlash from the public as they claim the poor are being targeted...   

 

A further announcement is then made that its ok to ride in the back of a pickup, but only over the Songkran period - no further announcements and the flat bed of a pickup remains standard 'seating' for the extended family and friends... 

 

 

These simple issues and the manner in which they are addressed highlights Thailands haphazard almost absent minded approach towards road safety.