The Department of Land Transport is advancing a major legal reform by separating specific laws for public passenger transport. It is expediting the issuance of three ministerial regulations— the Road Safety Fund Act, separate EV vehicle license plates, and school bus license plates—aiming to elevate standards for school buses and public transport. Strict inspections of braking and electrical systems will be conducted to prevent fire risks, with a target to enforce these regulations by the end of this year.
Mr. Sorapong Paitoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT). He revealed that the Department of Land Transport is currently pushing forward a significant structural legal reform plan for land transport. The goal is to establish a separate, independent law specifically for public passenger transport in the long term, alongside expediting ministerial regulations that can be implemented immediately in the short term to raise safety standards for school buses and public transport across the system.
Currently, the legal framework governing public passenger vehicles still relies on the main laws, including the Land Transport Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and the Motor Vehicle Act, which lack a dedicated section clearly regulating public passenger transport. Therefore, the department is consulting relevant agencies to draft a new act, the third version of the Land Transport Act, to define criteria, standards, and oversight mechanisms for public passenger transport more clearly and modernly. This is a long-term structural solution.
Mr. Sorapong added that while awaiting the enactment of the new act, the department has implemented urgent measures under the existing law by drafting three ministerial regulations. These drafts have completed stakeholder consultations and are ready to be submitted to the relevant minister for Cabinet consideration once the new government is formed, aiming for enforcement within this year.
The first ministerial regulation concerns the management of the Road Safety Fund, covering fund administration and the management of special or desirable vehicle registration numbers to ensure transparency and tangible benefits for enhancing road safety.
The second regulation defines the format and classification of license plates specifically for electric vehicles (EVs) to clearly distinguish vehicle types. This aligns with the increasing use of electric vehicles and supports government policies promoting EV adoption.
The third regulation organizes a new system for school buses by mandating a dedicated license plate labeled “1 นร.” along with a large orange plate that is easily visible. This allows officials and the public to immediately identify school buses, reducing confusion and preventing misuse of vehicles.
Mr. Sorapong emphasized that the highest priority is raising safety standards for school buses and public transport, especially by adding stricter vehicle inspection criteria that were not previously enforced. Examples include more detailed brake performance tests and rigorous electrical system inspections, particularly for measuring electrical leakage inside vehicles.
Previously, some operators installed additional equipment such as fans or sound systems using substandard wiring, which has been a major cause of bus fires. Implementing strict electrical inspections is a preventive measure to reduce risks and build confidence among parents and the public.
Regarding incentives to encourage operators to register their school buses under the “1 นร.” system properly, the department is discussing with the Ministry of Finance possible tax exemptions or reductions, as well as other government benefits to promote the use of quality and standard-compliant vehicles for student transport.
The Director-General stated that currently, about 5,500 school buses are registered, while there are over 52,000 schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, indicating a significant gap where many students still rely on old or non-standard vehicles. Organizing and upgrading these standards is therefore an urgent mission.
Additionally, the department continues to crack down on violations, especially cases where some taxi operators tamper with or cheat on fare meters, exploiting passengers. They affirmed strict enforcement of the law against such misconduct.
Mr. Sorapong concluded by saying that the relevant minister has acknowledged and approved the principles of the three draft ministerial regulations, emphasizing the key goal of ensuring children and the public travel in safe, high-quality vehicles. The Department of Land Transport is confident that once these measures are enforced, they will mark a significant turning point in elevating the standards of the country’s public transport system in the long term.
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