Bangkok: The Cabinet has appointed the Ministry of Transport as the primary agency responsible for enhancing the inspection standards of passenger buses across the country. This decision comes as part of the government's strategy to address and rectify issues related to the corruption scheme involving CNG/NGV bus permits.
According to Thai News Agency, the government has responded positively to a proposal from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) aimed at closing existing loopholes in the permitting process for public transport vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) or natural gas for vehicles (NGV). The proposal emphasizes the need to elevate safety standards to a consistent level nationwide.
Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that the Cabinet acknowledged various measures proposed by the NACC to prevent corruption in the bus permit application process. The NACC's investigation into a 2024 NGV-powered bus accident revealed numerous irregularities, including an overreliance on documentation at the expense of technical inspections and the issuance of inspection certificates without actual vehicle evaluations, which jeopardizes passenger safety.
The NACC's proposed measures include implementing urgent policies to enhance road safety standards, revising standards for passenger vehicle usage and structural integrity, and tightening the requirements for obtaining and renewing licenses for non-regular passenger transport vehicles. These measures also recommend the integration of efforts with the Royal Thai Police and the adoption of a systematic IT system for tracking vehicle modifications and inspection results.
The Cabinet has also highlighted the importance of creating a "Safety Rating List" for public buses, which will categorize safety standards and identify defective or non-standard vehicles. This list will be accessible online, allowing the public to make informed choices regarding public transport services.
Additional measures emphasize the need for ongoing training for bus operators and drivers in traffic laws, risky behaviors, and emergency procedures. The use of monitoring systems such as IVMS, GPS, and CCTV is encouraged to track driving behaviors, alongside establishing accessible complaint channels for the public to report unsafe practices.
To ensure effective implementation, the Ministry of Transport will collaborate with various agencies, including the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Industry, the Royal Thai Police, and the Road Safety Fund. The Ministry is tasked with formulating a comprehensive plan and submitting a summary of actions to the Cabinet Secretariat within 30 days for further Cabinet review.
Ms. Lalida expressed the government's commitment to taking active measures to eliminate corruption loopholes, enhance bus safety standards, and foster public trust, particularly for buses using CNG/NGV fuel, by ensuring rigorous and transparent inspection procedures.