"Pipat–Siripong" lead major upgrades for Thai railways! Strict controls on freight trains, raised driver standards, expanded urban rail plans, and promotion of rail tourism to stimulate the national economy through the Railway Board, laying the foundation for the highest safety standards in Thai rail systems, aiming for convenient, safe, accessible travel for the public alongside Thailand's economic growth.
Today (17 Jul 2026), Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, chaired the 2/2569 meeting of the Rail Transport Policy Committee to consider draft laws and important policies, addressing problems alongside utilizing the rail system to boost the country's economy. Present were Mr. Chayatham Promsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Pichet Kunathamrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport,Officeof Transport Policy and Planning, and representatives from relevant agencies at the Ministry of Transport meeting room.
Mr. Pipat disclosed that this meeting's main goal is to elevate the safety of Thailand's rail system to the highest standards, especially after the cargo train collision with a bus incident, necessitating urgent measures to "build confidence" and reduce risks to life and property, while using the rail system as a key economic driver, particularly in tourism. The meeting prepared to review draft safety and operational standards legislation to support national development and improve citizens' quality of life, focusing on four key dimensions:
First dimension Enhancing safety and regulating urban rail freight transport. From lessons learned in the mid-May accident, the meeting plans to declare Bangkok a “special surveillance zone” banning freight trains in Bangkok except between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. and on routes to Lat Krabang Container Depot (ICD). Speed limits will be capped at 30 km/h, and fuel transport trains are banned 24 hours in Bangkok except for urgent or public interest cases, aiming to reduce risks to lives, property, and the environment in densely populated communities.
Second dimension Integrating rail systems with tourism to stimulate the economy and distribute income. A “Rail Tourism Development Integration Subcommittee” will be set up to coordinate between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, focusing on infrastructure improvements under the concept of “Tourism for All,” to promote tangible rail tourism, stimulate regional economies, and sustainably distribute income to local communities.
Third dimension The meeting approved the rail transport development plan for Bangkok and its metropolitan area under the Rail Transport Act B.E. 2568 (2025) as a framework for long-term expansion of the urban rail network. The goal is to cover and connect travel seamlessly and integrate with other public transport systems as feeders, improving travel convenience, solving traffic congestion, and supporting sustainable urban growth.
Fourth dimension Establishing legal foundations to regulate operator standards, vehicles, and personnel. The meeting approved in principle six draft subordinate laws covering licensing criteria requiring applicants to be juristic persons with sufficient registered capital, licenses valid up to 30 years, classifications of rail transport vehicles, engineering and safety standards for vehicles, and qualifications for drivers and controllers including age, physical and mental health, and professional skills.
Additionally, transparency will be enhanced by allowing display of electronic licenses for both personnel and rail transport vehicles, enabling easy public verification and increasing user confidence. Operators must obtain damage insurance covering the license period with minimum coverage based on license type and project value, aligning with business risk levels to protect service users and the public.
At the same time, all types of rail transport vehicles must be registered, structurally sound, safe, equipped with all safety devices, and allocate appropriate space for people with disabilities, the elderly, and wheelchair users. Drivers and controllers must pass physical fitness tests, mental health assessments, be free from addictive substances, and meet professional skill standards.
Mr. Pipat emphasized that this meeting marks a significant step in advancing the country's rail transport system development, including expanding the urban rail network in Bangkok and its vicinity, enhancing freight transport safety, tightening vehicle and personnel standards, and integrating rail to promote tourism. All plans and regulations aim to ensure public confidence, safety, accessibility, and equality, while positioning rail as a vital driver of the nation's economy.
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