Bangkok’s EV Bus Procurement Delayed Pending Cabinet Green Light
BANGKOK, April 18, 2025 — The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced a delay in signing the procurement contract for 1,520 electric air-conditioned buses, pending Cabinet approval. The contract, initially set for this month, is part of the government’s push to replace all combustion-engine buses with clean energy alternatives by 2029.
BMTA director Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul said the agency plans to lease the buses for seven years, with the first 500 units expected later this year, roughly 6–7 months after contract signing. The remainder will follow within another 3–6 months.
The 15.355 billion baht project shifts focus from NGV (natural gas for vehicles) buses, in line with new government policy. While BMTA’s accumulated debt remains at 150 billion baht, losses dropped to 2.9 billion baht in 2024, a sharp decline from the previous 5 billion baht average.
Financial relief also came from a legal victory over suppliers of NGV buses. The Supreme Administrative Court ordered four companies—including Bestrin Group and Sunlong Automotive—to pay 520 million baht in damages for misrepresenting vehicle origin to evade duties under ASEAN trade rules.
BMTA currently operates 2,884 buses, with 95% in service. This includes 1,520 non-air-conditioned units and over 1,300 air-conditioned ones, 800 of which already use clean energy.
The full EV transition will phase out about 2,300 older buses and cut diesel use by 60%, with non-air-conditioned buses to disappear by 2028 from regular routes. EV buses are expected to reduce operational costs significantly due to cheaper electricity and inclusive maintenance.
