The Department of Land Transport raises safety standards by issuing strict rules on modifying bus bodies and chassis. Permission and engineer certification are required at every step. These rules take effect on 1 July 2026 GMT+7.
Mr. Thitiphat Thaichongrak, Director of the Automotive Engineering Division and spokesperson for the Department of Land Transport. He revealed that the Ministry of Transport, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, along with Deputy Minister Mr. Siripong Angkasagulkiat, has a key policy to sustainably enhance public bus safety standards. The Department of Land Transport, as the safety standards regulator, has issued two announcements: the 2025 announcement setting criteria and conditions for permitting modifications or changes to bus bodies used for passenger transport, and the second 2025 announcement setting criteria for permitting modifications to vehicle components or parts. Both announcements will officially take effect from 1 July 2026 GMT+7 to ensure that public buses on the road have stable, robust, and standardized structures with maximum safety.
Operators or bus owners who intend to modify or change the condition of the bus body or chassis must strictly follow three main criteria as follows.
Before starting work, they must apply for permission from the Department of Land Transport, attaching important documents including photos of the bus before modification, shape drawings, and design certification from a qualified engineer or higher.
During the modification, the work must strictly adhere to the approved drawings with photographic evidence taken throughout, including structural pillars, axles, and steering systems. Additionally, photos of the supervising engineer alongside the vehicle are required. If work deviates from the approved plan, the modification must stop immediately. Modifying the axle beyond the manufacturer’s design is strictly prohibited.
After completing the work, photos of the completed bus body or chassis must be collected along with a certification letter from an engineer confirming structural integrity before submitting for vehicle registration with the Department of Land Transport.
The Department’s spokesperson added that body shops and chassis modification workshops taking on such work must register properly. Only workshops holding a factory license (Ror Ngor 4) and/or ISO9001 quality management certification related to vehicle manufacturing or assembly can register. Registered workshops can be verified on the Department’s website.https://aeb.dlt.go.th/enIf body shops or chassis modification workshops fail to register correctly with the Department of Land Transport, they will be prohibited from modifying vehicle bodies or chassis or completing vehicle registration. The Department is committed to developing Thailand’s automotive standards to ensure every journey is safe. For inquiries, contact the Automotive Engineering Division, Department of Land Transport.
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