New Thai public transport safety measures welcomed by locals, expats and tourists

In a long-overdue attempt to prevent deaths and injuries caused by public transport accidents, Thailand has introduced new safety measures for all public vehicles.

It’s well-known that Thailand’s public transport services have major problems with accidents causing loss of life as well as injury to tourists, expats and Thais alike. The safety or otherwise of public transportation is a perennial subject of discussion in the expat community, especially when yet another fatal crash makes local media headlines. As a result, a newly-minted law by the Department of Land Transport (DLT) will be roundly welcomed by expats and locals alike as it now requires operators to have their drivers and vehicles inspected every 90 kilometers.

Given that, especially in underdeveloped rural areas, Thailand’s roads can cause drivers huge problems, the death toll on public transportation desperately needs to be reduced. According to the DLT’s director general, the necessary inspections will take place around the clock every day and night of the year, in the hope that the service’s poor reputation can be significantly improved and lives saved. Operators who attempt to skip the checks can expect a hard time from officials, including punishments and fines, and drivers will also be checked for signs of drug or alcohol abuse.

Sadly, the majority of expats are fully aware that road safety isn’t a priority in the sector, with monthly reports of fatal accidents the norm rather than the exception. Rear-ending of other road users, collisions in general, crashing into ditches or driving off the road and even, very occasionally, bursting into flames are all featured in on-and offline media outlets for all to see. For example, earlier this month a tourist bus packed with Chinese visitors collided head on with a truck, killing its driver and causing several tourists to be rushed to a nearby hospital. Several days ago, a Rayong-Nong Khai bus rear-ended a large truck, killing the bus driver and injuring 33 passengers. Any attempt to reduce the road carnage is welcome, with frequent checks the best way forward.