A group of van operators met with Deputy Transport Minister Siriphong Angkasakulkit, submitting four demands including urgent fuel relief and a review of minibus replacement criteria. The minister accepted their concerns and ordered the Department of Land Transport and Transport Company Limited to revise regulations and provide half-interest subsidies.
Mr. Siriphong Angkasakulkit, Deputy Minister of Transport. He invited public van operators to meet and discuss solutions to their difficulties. The meeting included Mr. Kachasak Siriratmanawong, Assistant Secretary to the Minister of Transport; Mr. Sorapong Paitoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT); Mr. Piya Yoma, Deputy Director-General of DLT; Mr. Attawit Rakjamroon, President of Transport Company Limited (TC); Mr. Weerawat Pattanathawornkul, Deputy Managing Director of TC; representatives of van, bus, and affiliated bus operators; and other related agencies. The meeting was held on 24 June 2026 at the Ministry of Transport conference room.
Mr. Siriphong said this meeting aimed to listen to opinions, suggestions, and problems from public transport operators to jointly devise fair and appropriate solutions for all parties, with the primary focus on the public's best interest. Mr. Preeda Makmunpol, President of the Van Trade Association, along with operator representatives, participated in discussions, submitted a letter, and followed up on problem-solving progress, requesting the Ministry of Transport to take the following actions:
1) Expedite relief measures for the impact of fuel price increases, noting that no financial assistance has yet been provided to operators.
2) Review and reconsider voluntary vehicle replacement measures on routes not exceeding 100 kilometers, changing from minibus to van, including support policies for electric vehicle (EV) minibus operators such as reducing loan or financing costs.
3) Establish compensation based on actual trips to align with service operating costs.
4) Promote legislation and specific regulations for minibuses, separating criteria by vehicle type and size to create standards, clarity, and fairness for operators. Also, review the appropriateness of fines according to Transport Company Limited's regulations.
The Deputy Minister assigned the Department of Land Transport to review redundant regulations and procedures to facilitate operations, reduce paperwork, and improve service efficiency. He urged prompt disbursement of relief payments to affected operators. He also tasked Transport Company Limited to review regulations, rules, and fines to ensure fairness, and to consider flexible scheduling of bus trips to match public demand, especially on weekends and consecutive holidays, to enhance service efficiency and passenger convenience.
Additionally, the Ministry of Transport is studying details and preparing to promote a down payment support policy for van operators needing to switch to minibuses. This aims to reduce costs for vehicle replacement, mandating EV use to align with government policies promoting electric vehicles and charging infrastructure development. There is also a concept to support interest rates with a “half subsidy” to reduce operators' cost burdens during the transition, which will be discussed with relevant agencies before further action.
Mr. Siriphong emphasized that the Ministry of Transport will comprehensively consider suggestions from all sectors and expedite concrete problem-solving measures based on fairness to all parties—operators and the public alike—while upholding legal principles. The ministry will continue to advance systematic public transport development to improve service quality, build public confidence, and support the long-term strength and sustainability of the national public transport system.
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