Bus Operators Rally Against Phatthalung-Trang Route Ban: Suriya Klaewthanong Leads Legal Challenge

In a dramatic turn of events, bus operators from the southern provinces of Thailand have revved up their engines in protest against a newly imposed ban limiting access to the scenic Phatthalung-Trang route. This stretch of highway, snaking through the lush mountains and picturesque landscapes of Khao Phap Pha, is now off-limits, sparking vociferous outcry from those at the helm of the double-decker buses.

Yesterday, on June 4, the serene mountain road transformed into a bustling epicenter of dissent as nearly a hundred bus operators made their grievances heard—loud and clear. With buses strategically parked along the roadside, the protestors made it abundantly clear that they perceive the government’s decision as a wrench in their well-oiled operations. Enter Suriya Klaewthanong, the impassioned President of the Association of Double-decker Bus Operations, whose fervent plea underscores the logistical nightmare these operators now face.

“Imagine adding an unnecessary 40 kilometers to an already lengthy journey,” Suriya lamented, his voice echoing the collective frustrations of his fellow operators. “The Khao Phap Pha route provided a direct, efficient 60-kilometer path to our destinations. Now, by diverting through alternative routes, our journeys transform into marathons of endurance.”

The protest narrative unfolded with tales of the once-perilous, 8% inclined road that, through diligent renovations and safety measures, had been devoid of accidents for years. For operators, the ban seems more like a bureaucratic overreach rather than a necessary precautionary measure—a sentiment that has been gaining traction with every minute spent on those time-consuming detours.

Consider the plight of buses bound for the sun-kissed beaches of Phuket, originating from the triangular cluster of southern provinces. Due to this prohibition, their trajectory now meanders through the bustling district of Thung Song in Nakhon Si Thammarat, followed by a final twist through the vibrant province of Krabi. The consequence? Additional hours on the road and a steep rise in fuel expenses that threaten to drive their engines to the brink.

As tensions hit fever pitch, the Association of Double-decker Bus Operations, under Suriya’s leadership, is charting a course toward legal confrontation. “We are fully prepared to present our case in the Central Administrative Court, with the hope of overturning this restrictive ban,” he boldly declared. Their conviction drives a firm hand on the steering wheel of change, signaling that this journey is far from over.

This recent conflict draws attention to the ever-challenging balance between governmental safety decrees and the dynamic needs of local businesses. By championing their cause, the bus operators seek not only the pragmatic revival of their routes but also a reinstatement of faith in a system that too often bypasses the perspectives of those who know their roads best.

As the road ahead remains unwritten, one thing is certain—these operators have settled in for the long haul, determined to see their fight through to a satisfactory conclusion, maintaining their call: “Let us drive the routes that have been ours to steer for years.”