If you’re someone who dreads the thought of air pollution as much as a delayed flight, have I got news for you! The Transport Ministry, spearheaded by the ever-determined Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, has cast a bolt of electric excitement through the transport sector with an announcement that could make the DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’ look like a relic! Launched during an electrifying exhibit at the 40th Motor Expo within the cavernous halls of Impact Challenger in Muang Thong Thani, Suriya declared a move that’s sure to spark joy among the eco-conscious. The entire fleet of Thailand’s public transport vehicles is switching gears to become 100% electric, starting with a revamp level-up of AoT’s limousine service—talk about going green with style!
Ladies and gentlemen, gearheads and green hearts, the signs were all there at the Motor Expo. With an array of electric vehicles (EVs) sleekly lined up and the sales going much like hotcakes in a bakery, the ‘e-mobility’ era is no longer on the distant horizon; it’s here, revving up in your front yard. The ministry’s goal? To accelerate EV usage by an ambitious 30% by the golden year of 2030. Think of it as going green on a highway with no speed limits.
This isn’t just about making a fashion statement on four wheels, though. This policy has its roots in something far more profound—the very air we breathe. By placing clean air as a basic human right, the EV policy addresses the menacing cloud (quite literally) of air pollution. So, when those old rental contracts come to an end, don’t expect a simple trade-in. No, sir. Those fossil-fueled vehicles are about to go extinct, replaced by their electric descendants, as per Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visionary directive.
The wheels are in motion, and Minister Suriya’s team is partnering up with the wizards at the Finance Ministry to teleport EVs onto every route faster than you can say ‘Where’s my charger?’. The AoT’s limousine service is set to debut in this eco-blockbuster, with luxury EVs gliding silently onto the tarmac—and I bet they won’t need a red carpet either.
But hold onto your eco-friendly hats, because there’s more—72 new schemes, to be exact, are joining the EV parade between 2023 and 2027. Under Suriya’s stewardship, land transportation is riding the green wave with not just electric vehicles but also three shiny new motorways by 2031, making it easier to roam the land without choking it.
It’s not just the big roads getting a makeover; special economic zones are catching the eco-friendly bus too, with 13 localized plans. Airports? Consider them handled. Both Krabi and Phuket airports are on the flight path for improvements, followed closely by a well-deserved upgrade for Chiang Mai Airport.
Imagine 22 new national railway services, including a duel of dual rail tracks, the Orange Line MRT making connections from Bang Khun Non to Min Buri, and an electrified extension to the Red Line’s trains—this isn’t your grandpa’s choo-choo train.
And for the water babies out there, we haven’t forgotten about you. The Ministry is transforming piers along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River into ‘smart piers’—because even piers need to up their IQ. Also in the docks, cruise terminals are getting a boost to raise the sails on Thailand’s marine tourism.
With this glimpse into Thailand’s transportation revolution, it’s easy to get your gears grinding with excitement. The future is electric, and it’s arriving on time!
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