Thailand
– Roadways
The Thai highway network follows
the left-hand traffic rule of the road. The network is the twin responsibility of the Department of Highways, and the Department
of Rural Roads, under the oversight of the Transportation
ministry of Thailand. Public highways are also called public roads , especially when part of urban
streets. The network spans over 70,000 kilometers across all regions of
Thailand. Most are single carriageways. Dual carriageways have frequent u-turn lanes and intersections slowing down
traffic.
Length of
Road Network in Thailand –
|
Administered by
|
Road Type
|
Route Kms.
|
|
Department
of Highways
|
Special
& National Highways
|
68794
|
|
Department
of Highways
|
Construction/minimum
Maintenance
|
1283
|
|
Department
of Rural Roads
|
Rural
|
47507
|
|
Department
of Local Administration
|
Rural
|
352465
|
|
The
Royal Irrigation Department
|
Rural
|
23153
|
|
Bangkok
Metropolitian Administration
|
Municipal
|
1228
|
|
Local
Authirities
|
Municipal
|
N.A.
|
|
Expressway
& Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
|
Bangkok
Expresways
|
207.9
|
Accidents by
Road Transport –
|
Year
|
No. of Reported Accidents
|
No. of Casualties
|
|
2011
|
68,583
|
21,916
|
|
2012
|
61,194
|
22,344
|
|
2013
|
61,323
|
20,906
|
|
2014
|
63,441
|
20,871
|
|
2015
|
69,371
|
18,160
|
Length of
Roads by Category –
|
Fiscal Year
|
Special & National Highways
|
Others
|
Grand Total
|
|
Paved
|
Unpaved
|
Total
|
|
2010
|
66,046
|
268
|
66,313
|
997
|
67,311
|
|
2011
|
66,104
|
237
|
66,341
|
1,195
|
67,536
|
|
2012
|
66,631
|
240
|
66,871
|
922
|
67,793
|
|
2013
|
67,267
|
280
|
67,547
|
706
|
68,253
|
|
2014
|
68,012
|
260
|
68,272
|
774
|
69,046
|
|
2015
|
68,582
|
212
|
68,794
|
1,283
|
70,077
|
Types of
Highway -
The 1992 Highway Act, revised as the 2006 Highway
Act, defines the following five highway types :
A special highway or motorway is
a high capacity highway designed for high speed traffic, for which the
Department of Highways carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs,
and is registered as such. Motorway entrances and exits have controlled access,
and controlled by the DOH. Registration of motorways is overseen by the
Director General of the DOH.
A national highway is a primary
highway, part of the network connecting regions, provinces, districts, and
other important destinations, for which the DOH carries out construction,
expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of national highways is overseen by
the Director General of the DOH.
A rural highway or rural
road is a highway for which the Department of Rural Roads carries out
construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of rural highways is
overseen by the Director General of the DORR.
A local highway or local
route is a highway for which the local administrative organization
carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of rural
highways is overseen by the provincial governor.
A concession highway is a highway
for which a legal government concession has been granted. Registration of
concession highways is overseen by the Director General of the DOH.