Pattaya —
Pattaya City is taking steps to become a smart city by promoting eco-friendly transportation.
As part of this initiative, the city has recently received 12 fully electric Hilux Revo–e pickup trucks from Toyota Thailand to be used as public Songthaews around the city. These vehicles are operated by the Pattaya Bus Cooperative and currently run on four routes including:
- Route 4 (5 vehicles): Laem Bali Hai – Banglamung District Office
- Route 5 (3 vehicles): Naklua – Jomtien
- Route 6 (3 vehicles): South Pattaya – Naklua
- Route 7 (1 vehicle): North Pattaya – Jomtien
According to Pattaya Mayor Mr. Poramase Ngampiches, the project is part of the “Sustainable Prototype City Free from Pollution” initiative, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transportation in Pattaya and lay the foundation for a pollution-free public transportation system.
The electric Songthaews are expected to be in service from April 2024 to December 2025. So far, more than 4,500 people have used the service, covering a total distance of over 335,000 kilometers.
Mr. Poramase also revealed that Pattaya will soon get to house Thailand’s first hydrogen station for fuel celled electric vehicles. He said that, “The station will power Toyota’s vehicles for long-distance travel, possibly between U-Tapao Airport, Pattaya, and Chonburi.”
Meanwhile, private companies attempting to get into the electric scooter markethave experienced complications as the city reviews laws around their usage.
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