Khon Kaen has launched the "Ambulance Lane" the first ambulance lane in northeastern Thailand, extending over 300 meters in front of Khon Kaen Hospital, to enhance ambulance mobility for quicker patient access.
At 09:00 on 10 Aug 2026 GMT+7, on Sri Chan Road in front of Khon Kaen Hospital, Mr. Yutthana Pothivihok, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, together with Dr. Thanasit Praipong, Director of Khon Kaen Hospital, jointly inaugurated the hospital's emergency express route.
Khon Kaen Hospital, in collaboration with Khon Kaen Province and the provincial road accident prevention and control agencies, created this route as the first of its kind in northeastern Thailand. It repurposes the leftmost traffic lane on Sri Chan Road, spanning more than 300 meters, to improve ambulance access speed to patients.
Deputy Governor Yutthana Pothivihok explained that currently, patient transport to Khon Kaen Hospital faces heavy traffic congestion and occasional blocked lanes due to parked vehicles, hindering ambulance movement. While less urgent cases may manage, true emergencies like heart attacks or strokes require every second. Any delay caused by blocked access to the hospital can be life-threatening. This prompted the establishment of the Ambulance Lane, reserved exclusively for authorized emergency vehicles during critical moments to ensure timely treatment.
Dr. Thanasit Praipong, Director of Khon Kaen Hospital, stated that statistics show up to 36,000 emergency medical transports pass through this route annually, averaging 100 vehicles daily. Establishing the ambulance lane in front of the hospital marks a significant step in integrating efforts among government agencies, local authorities, partner networks, and all sectors sharing the goal of patient safety, enabling emergency patients to access care more quickly and effectively.
The ambulance lane in front of Khon Kaen Hospital, over 300 meters long, improves ambulance access speed without closing the road. It is a proactive lane reservation allowing ambulances to travel promptly during critical seconds, with all road users cooperating to preserve this vital life-saving corridor.
