Thailand public service and transport initiatives

The Thai government has introduced several measures to reduce living costs and improve public services. To assist with travel during the Chulalongkorn Day holiday, the Expressway Authority of Thailand announced toll waivers at 63 checkpoints across the Chaloem Maha Nakhon, Si Rat, and Udon Ratthaya routes.

In response to significant increases in ridership and revenue, the Ministry of Transport is considering extending the daily flat-rate commuter pass program for the Red Line and Purple Line electric train services until December 31, 2027. The current measure, set to expire on November 30, 2026, allows passengers to travel for a daily cap of 40 baht using EMV contactless cards. Data from August 2026 shows that this scheme led to a 121.54% increase in total daily ridership across both lines, with the Red Line seeing an 89.01% increase and the Purple Line seeing a 135.41% increase. The proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for formal consideration.

Additionally, the Department of Provincial Administration is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to gambling regulations intended to modernize laws regarding billiards, snooker, and boxing competition standards.