Promoting Taxi Boat Service on Phasi Charoen Canal with 15 Piers to Connect Road, Boat, and Rail Systems, Boosting Canal-side Tourism

Sanpetch discussed upgrading waterway transport by promoting Taxi Boats as feeder services linking road, boat, and rail systems to support tourism and stimulate canal-side community economies.

Sanpetch Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that he attended a presentation on the feasibility study for developing a passenger boat route (Taxi Boat) on Phasi Charoen Canal to offer a convenient, safe, and time-saving travel option while alleviating road traffic congestion.

The Ministry of Transport aims to promote Taxi Boats as feeder transport to ease traffic jams and shorten travel times, alongside revitalizing and boosting community tourism along the canal. The plan focuses on maximizing existing water infrastructure to create opportunities, stimulate the riverside community economy, and attract Thai and foreign tourists to conveniently and safely experience the charm of canal-side living at affordable prices, while seamlessly connecting water routes to electric rail or main roads.

Highlighting EV and hybrid boats for pilot use at 15 piers linking Phasi Charoen and Bangkok Yai canals.

Regarding development plans, the Deputy Minister assigned the Marine Department to act as the central agency driving the pilot project, dividing it into two main types:

• EV Taxi Boat A 6-seat highly maneuverable boat equipped with compact charging stations.
• Solar-hybrid boat Local boats retrofitted to reduce noise and black smoke, preserving traditional lifestyles and promoting tourism in Phasi Charoen–Bangkok Yai areas, such as Talat Phlu and Wat Kamphaeng Floating Market.

Additionally, coordination is underway to use 15 piers belonging to temples and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to develop concrete passenger pick-up and drop-off points.

Study results are impressive! Public ready to switch to Taxi Boat service.

Sanpetch further explained that traffic congestion is the main travel issue (30% of Thais, 46% of foreigners). Consequently, 77% of Thais and 45% of foreigners confirmed they would immediately switch to Taxi Boat service. The break-even point is estimated at 1,500 passengers per day, alongside efforts to relax waterway navigation regulations to facilitate private sector investment.

The Deputy Minister assigned the Marine Department and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to conduct in-depth field surveys and listen carefully to local residents’ feedback along Phasi Charoen Canal to consolidate findings for further consideration before officially pushing the Taxi Boat project forward.

/ Government Policy /