Thailand’s Transport Minister Urges Tighter Safety Standards for Passenger Buses

Deputy PM Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn urged enhanced safety standards in Thailand’s bus industry and AI use in inspections, emphasizing passenger safety, staff training, and collaboration among transport and tourism sectors.

Key Points

• Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn emphasized the need for stricter safety standards in Thailand’s passenger bus industry and advocated for increased use of artificial intelligence in vehicle inspections during the Thai Bus Operators Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting.
• He stressed the importance of passenger safety, highlighting the necessity for operators to educate travelers on emergency procedures, including locating exits and evacuation methods. The Department of Land Transport was tasked with enhancing vehicle inspections and driver monitoring through AI technology.
• Phiphat urged collaboration among transport and tourism authorities, tour companies, and bus operators to ensure safe, efficient transportation for international visitors, which is vital for their initial experience in Thailand. He reaffirmed that cooperation between government and private sectors is key to improving service standards.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has called for tighter safety standards across Thailand’s passenger bus industry and greater use of artificial intelligence in vehicle inspections. Speaking at the Thai Bus Operators Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting in Bangkok today (Aug 26), Phiphat placed passenger safety at the center of efforts to modernize road transport and support tourism.

Safety requirements should cover vehicles, drivers, onboard personnel, and passenger readiness for emergencies. Operators were urged to ensure travelers know the locations of emergency exits, how to open emergency doors, and what to do during an evacuation. The Department of Land Transport was also instructed to tighten vehicle inspections and driver oversight while exploring AI-assisted systems to improve inspection accuracy and efficiency.

Phiphat also called for closer coordination among transport and tourism authorities, tour companies, and bus operators. Passenger buses are often among the first services international visitors encounter after leaving airports, railway stations, or seaports, making safe vehicles, professional drivers, and quality service important to their first impressions of Thailand.

The transport minister affirmed that cooperation between government agencies and private operators will remain critical to improving service standards and delivering reliable transportation for residents and visitors.

Source : Thailand’s Transport Minister Urges Tighter Safety Standards for Passenger Buses