BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has directed the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to expedite key transport reforms, including a common ticketing law, the Land Bridge megaproject, and a new water motorway connecting northern Thailand to the Gulf of Thailand.
At a policy briefing on April 29, 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need to translate policy into tangible results, prioritizing public benefit and national interest. He called the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning the ministry’s “brain trust” and assigned the office to lead strategic projects that enhance quality of life and boost Thailand’s economic competitiveness.
A key priority is the proposed Common Ticketing System Act, which seeks to lower travel costs and ensure fair fares for passengers and operators without increasing the state’s financial burden.
Officials expect 20 secondary regulations by June 2026 and plan to establish a dedicated common ticketing fund. The government aims to have all Bangkok electric rail lines implement a unified ticketing system by 2027.
The Transport Minister also called for accelerated progress on the Land Bridge project and the Southern Economic Corridor bill, which is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet by June 2026.
Authorities plan to complete environmental impact studies for the Land Bridge by 2027, attract investors, and start Phase One construction by 2030.
The ministry has also commissioned a feasibility study for the proposed Northern-to-Gulf Waterway Motorway (MMR1), intended to enhance inland water transport and link northern Thailand with the Gulf of Thailand. The study is expected to be ready for Cabinet consideration by 2030.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of sustainable urban development through Transit-Oriented Development, feeder transport systems, and adopting smart technology and artificial intelligence to improve traffic management in Bangkok and other major cities. (NNT)
