The ongoing and intensifying conflict in the Middle East has directly impacted global oil prices, which in turn have increased domestic energy costs and pressured the overall cost of living, especially in the transport sector where fuel costs are a significant expense. Therefore, the government has urgently introduced concrete measures to assist operators.
Recently, the Cabinet (Council of Ministers) approved a support package for transport operators using fuel, with a budget exceeding 2.06 billion baht. This aims to ease expenses and maintain stability in the public transport system, following urgent policies from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn and Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasukolkit, who assigned the Department of Land Transport to rapidly implement the measures for tangible results.
According to Sorapong Paitoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, the department has issued clear criteria covering all transport operator groups, including regular and non-regular passenger buses, taxis, public motorcycles, and freight trucks, tailoring support to service types and cost structures.
This measure provides aid over 42 days, from 20 April to 31 May 2026. A key condition requires recipients to actively provide public transport services during this period and to receive assistance only after verification of service data and complete documentation.
For public passenger vehicles, the support combines lump-sum payments and distance-based compensation to reflect actual usage. Buses on main routes and some in Bangkok will receive a lump sum of 5,040 baht per vehicle, provided they run at least 2,500 kilometers. Meanwhile, some routes will be compensated at 2 baht per kilometer with daily caps to control budgets and encourage continuous service. As for
non-regular passenger vehicles, such as buses, minibuses, and vans, they receive lump-sum payments based on vehicle type and usage, with distance conditions differing between general commercial use and employee transport, showing efforts to tailor support to diverse business models. Meanwhile,
the freight truck sector, a vital link in the supply chain, receives assistance of 6,000 baht per large vehicle (10 wheels or more) and 3,000 baht per small vehicle, with minimum distance requirements to verify genuine operation and reduce misuse risk. Meanwhile, for hired vehicles, including taxis and public motorcycles, lump-sum aid is also provided. Taxis must install and use the DLT GPS-NOTICE app and operate at least 2,500 kilometers, while public motorcycles receive 840 baht per vehicle.
Although the amount for motorcycles is modest, it reflects care for low-income workers in grassroots transport. In managing the program, the Department of Land Transport employs technology as a key tool, using GPS and the DLT GPS-NOTICE app to collect real-time trip data. Drivers must confirm their identity by scanning a QR Code at the start and end of each service, crucial for preventing fraud and false claims. For the application process, the department opened registration for eligible operators and drivers from 16 to 19 April 2026, with two methods available: online registration via the website
https://tss.dlt.go.th/
which operates 24/7, and walk-in applications at the Department of Land Transport Building 3, 1st floor, or provincial transport offices nationwide during official hours (08:30–16:30). Applicants must link a PromptPay account and submit all related documents to enable prompt, transparent verification and payment. However, the Department of Land Transport emphasized strict legal measures: any detected forgery or data distortion to obtain benefits will result in immediate disqualification and possible civil and criminal penalties, also affecting future transport license considerations.This registration drive represents an urgent policy initiative led by the Ministry of Transport under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat and Deputy Minister Siripong, aiming to ease cost burdens and mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices caused by Middle East conflicts.The measure covers all fuel types used by transport providers, including diesel and gasoline. The department has instructed relevant staff to prepare to facilitate registrants efficiently, ensuring a smooth process and reducing congestion at service points, while encouraging eligible individuals to register within the specified period to proceed to GPS data verification before receiving aid payments via PromptPay as per criteria. This injection of funds demonstrates the government's efforts to support the transport sector, a key economic driver, amid external pressures that are difficult to control. The detailed criteria and intensive technological monitoring show a balance between "assistance" and "oversight" to ensure funds reach genuine operators and maximize short- and long-term economic benefits. Follow updates on economic news, global and domestic economy, and economic analysis here:
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