thailandedition
Consumer Council pushes BMA for traffic light control, AI to prevent accidents

Consumer Council pushes BMA for traffic light control, AI to prevent accidents

Prachachat•General•8h ago

Reader Briefing

Consumer Council and Department of Rail Transport are advocating for Bangkok to regain control over traffic light systems and implement AI technology to enhance road safety and prevent recurring accidents.

  • •The Consumer Council and the Department of Rail Transport are pushing for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to take full control of traffic light systems from the police to improve traffic management.
  • •There is a strong call to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into traffic management to predict and prevent accidents, especially at complex intersections.
  • •A recent train-bus collision on May 16, 2026, which resulted in fatalities and injuries, has intensified calls for these systemic changes.
  • •The Department of Rail Transport is also overseeing enhanced drug testing for train drivers and the development of an elevated railway project to eliminate level crossings.

Overview

  • •Following a fatal train-bus collision on May 16, 2026, resulting in 8 deaths and 32 injuries, the Consumer Council is pushing for systemic improvements.
  • •The Consumer Council is urging the BMA to take complete authority over traffic light management to integrate traffic control systems.
  • •The Consumer Council and the Department of Rail Transport are collaborating to explore the implementation of AI in traffic management and accident prevention.
  • •There are identified limitations in the current traffic signal control system as on-site police cannot manually adjust signals automatically.
  • •The Department of Rail Transport is imposing stricter daily drug tests for train drivers following an increase in positive results.
  • •The Ministry of Transport is expediting plans for an elevated railway project from Phaya Thai to Huamark, aiming to eliminate at-grade rail crossings.
  • •The elevated railway project is expected to be proposed for Cabinet approval in 2027, with construction taking 3-4 years.
  • •The adoption of AI is proposed to help analyze traffic flow and optimize signal timing, reducing human error and improving traffic fluidity.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Prachachat (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Anonymous Police Officer
"We must question why Thailand has used automatic traffic light systems for so long, yet on-site personnel cannot control them or use AI to help solve traffic problems."
น่าจะต้องตั้งคำถามว่าประเทศไทยใช้ระบบสัญญาณไฟอัตโนมัติมานานแล้ว แต่ทำไมคนหน้างานถึงไม่สามารถควบคุม หรือใช้ระบบ AI เข้ามาคำนวณแก้ปัญหาจราจรได้
Anonymous Police Officer
"We shouldn't be tied to traffic police only managing their own area to prevent congestion, but should manage the entire road user system comprehensively."
เราไม่ควรผูกติดว่าตำรวจจราจรเขตไหนก็ดูแค่พื้นที่ตัวเองไม่ให้รถติด แต่ควรบริหารจัดการในภาพรวมของผู้ใช้รถใช้ถนนทั้งระบบ
Athipu Jitranukroh
"This AI system will detect if a car is stuck within the train barrier zone and automatically send an alert to the station master's mobile phone."
ระบบ AI นี้จะตรวจจับหากมีรถยนต์จอดค้างอยู่ภายในเขตไม้กั้นรถไฟ จากนั้นจะส่งสัญญาณเตือนภัยไปยังโทรศัพท์มือถือของนายสถานีโดยอัตโนมัติ
Adisak Saisongkram
"What is missing is only 'political will' to transfer authority and personnel from the Metropolitan Police Bureau to the BMA for comprehensive traffic light management."
สิ่งที่ขาดไปมีเพียง “เจตจำนงทางการเมือง” ในการขอโอนย้ายอำนาจและบุคลากรจากกองบัญชาการตำรวจนครบาลมาให้ กทม. บริหารจัดการสัญญาณไฟจราจรด้วยตัวเองทั้งระบบ

Key Entities

Organization

Consumer Council(สภาผู้บริโภค)
An organization advocating for consumer rights that is pushing for improvements in Bangkok's traffic management system.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)(กทม.)ℹ️
The municipal government responsible for the administration of Bangkok, being urged to take over traffic light control.
Department of Rail Transport (DRT)(กรมรางฯ)
A government department collaborating with the Consumer Council to enhance traffic safety and implement AI technology.
Traffic Police(ตำรวจจราจร)
The police force currently responsible for managing traffic signals, highlighted as having limitations in the current system.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT)(รฟท.)ℹ️
The national railway company being urged to revise infrastructure projects to solve level crossing issues.
Cabinet(ครม.)ℹ️
The body that will review and approve the proposed elevated railway project.
Rail System Technology Institute (RSTI)(สถาบันเทคโนโลยีระบบราง (สทร.))
An institution collaborating on the pilot project for intelligent CCTV systems with AI.
Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd.(บริษัท หัวเว่ย ประเทศไทย)
A technology company partnering in the pilot implementation of intelligent CCTV systems with AI.
Bureau of Traffic and Transport (BOT)(สำนักการจราจรและขนส่ง (สจส.))
An existing department within the BMA that supports traffic and transportation, which can manage traffic lights if authority is transferred.
Metropolitan Police Bureau(กองบัญชาการตำรวจนครบาล)
The police authority currently holding jurisdiction over traffic light control, from which authority transfer is sought.

Law

Artificial Intelligence (AI)(AI)ℹ️
Technology being proposed for use in traffic management to predict and prevent accidents and optimize signal timing.

Place

Makkasan - Asoke Din Daeng Intersection(จุดตัดมักกะสัน – อโศกดินแดง)
The location where a significant train-bus collision occurred on May 16, 2026.
Nakhon Sawan Province(จังหวัดนครสวรรค์)ℹ️
The province where 3-4 railway intersections are being used for the pilot of an AI-powered CCTV system.

Person

Ms. Saree Angsavalangkul(นางสาวสารี อ๋องสมหวัง)
Secretary-General of the Consumer Council, advocating for the BMA to gain control of traffic light systems.
Mr. Athipu Jitranukroh(นายอธิภู จิตรานุเคราะห์)
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, discussing the implementation of AI and safety measures.
Train Driver(พขร.)
Personnel whose drug testing frequency is being increased due to rising positive results.
Mr. Adisak Saisongkram(นายอดิศักดิ์ สายประเสริฐ)
Head of Policy Driving Support Unit at the Consumer Council, emphasizing the political will needed for traffic management reform.