BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has strengthened safety measures for school transport vehicles nationwide at the start of the new academic term. Key actions include mandatory vehicle inspections, integration with a centralized database, and higher security standards for student transit. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana stated that the government is prioritizing child and youth transit safety through a partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Transport, and related agencies. This initiative aims to reduce road accident risks and reassure parents as schools reopen this month.
The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to urgently audit all school transport vehicles. Provincial transport offices and local schools are requiring comprehensive safety inspections, with a focus on braking systems. Vehicles that do not meet these standards will be taken out of service until repairs are verified. The DLT and the Ministry of Education have launched a centralized school transport database at schoolbussafety.dlt.go.th. This platform streamlines regulatory oversight and promotes GPS tracking to monitor vehicle locations and driver behavior in real time.
The government is upgrading certification requirements for drivers and onboard attendants by mandating safety and child-care training. Long-term plans include studying issuing unique, highly visible license plates exclusively for school transport vehicles to alert nearby motorists. The state will also expand youth traffic discipline programs and implement advanced safety seminars for commercial bus and truck operators to improve road safety. (NNT)
