Thailand Reviews School Bus Safety and Senior Driver Licensing
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat reports that 20% of inspected school buses failed safety checks, while discussions regarding lifetime driver's licenses for seniors are underway.
During the 17th Thailand Road Safety Seminar, Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasakulkiat revealed concerning data regarding student transportation. According to Khaosod Online, approximately 20% of school buses inspected recently failed to meet safety standards. This finding highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring secure transport for students across the country.
In addition to school bus safety, the Ministry of Transport is currently exploring the possibility of reviewing lifetime driver's licenses held by elderly citizens. The Deputy Minister emphasized that this initiative is still in the preliminary discussion phase, and no final decisions or policy changes have been enacted at this time.
These developments were shared in the context of Thailand's broader road safety goals. Despite a downward trend in road fatalities over the past decade, the country still records approximately 50 deaths per day, totaling around 15,000 annually. The government has stated its long-term ambition is to reduce road fatalities to zero, rather than settling for incremental percentage improvements.
For residents and travelers, these discussions underscore a heightened focus on road safety enforcement. While school bus inspections are ongoing, the potential review of senior licensing remains a topic of debate. Further updates from the Department of Land Transport will be necessary to clarify if and how these policies will impact current license holders.
