Sakoltee urges the Ministry of Transport to promptly address two major issues: verify the actual running trips of bus route 189 that serves 60,000 people in Samut Sakhon, and points out that the Vibhavadi canal construction has been prolonged and is dangerous despite its scheduled completion in 2022.
On 5 Nov 2026 GMT+7, at the Parliament building during a House of Representatives meeting, Mr. Sakoltee Pattiyakul, a party-list member of the Democrat Party, discussed with the Speaker to forward public complaints and hardships to the Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies regarding two urgent issues: the bus shortage crisis affecting over 60,000 people in Krathum Baen and Om Noi districts.
Mr. Sakoltee revealed that the Democrat Party received complaints via the "Blue House" system about difficulties in travel connections between Om Noi, Krathum Baen, and Setthakit Road in Samut Sakhon Province caused by insufficient public transport management, impacting approximately 60,000 local residents.
The main cause is that the original bus route 85 (Bangkok - Samut Sakhon) has ceased service, while although the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) route 189 was approved, no buses have actually been deployed. Consequently, people rely primarily on local songthaews, which only operate until about 7:00 p.m., severely inconveniencing those who need to travel later in the evening.
Mr. Sakoltee therefore proposed that the Ministry of Transport, Department of Land Transport, and Samut Sakhon Province take urgent action by:
1. Investigating the status of the concession and license for bus route 189, including verifying that the actual number of trips complies with the conditions.
2. Improving, expanding, or redesigning bus routes based on public suggestions to cover Salaya – Phutthamonthon Sai 5 – Om Noi – Krathum Baen – Setthakit Road – Samut Sakhon Bus Terminal, extending service hours past 7:00 p.m. to reflect actual community needs, and implementing urgent measures to alleviate hardships while awaiting permanent route arrangements.
Calls for investigation into the delayed and unsafe Vibhavadi Rangsit Road canal construction causing traffic paralysis.
Mr. Sakoltee also presented photographic evidence of the drainage canal construction project along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road from Lat Phrao Intersection to in front of Thai Airways headquarters. He highlighted the project’s disorder and extreme hazards, noting that barriers are spaced too far apart without protective fencing to prevent motorcycles or pedestrians from falling into the construction pits, and that nighttime lighting is insufficient.
Furthermore, the contractor has encroached on traffic lanes without proper organization, causing widespread traffic congestion. The project began in 2019 and was scheduled for completion by 2021–2022. Although delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic extended the contract, the deadline has long passed and the work should be finished. If not, the Ministry of Transport must order the contractor to strictly enforce safety standards and promptly reopen traffic lanes for the public.