ปลัดคมนาคมเผยต่อ ส.อ.ท. เดินหน้าปฏิรูประบบโลจิสติกส์ ชู MR-Map เชื่อมราง-ถนน-ท่าเรือ ลดต้นทุนประเทศThe Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Reveals to FTI the Advancement of Logistics System Reforms Using MR-Map to Connect Rail, Road, and Ports to Reduce National Costs

On June 29, 2026, Dr. Chayatham Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, delivered a special lecture on "Logistics Policies and National Infrastructure Development" at the 5th/2026 (3) meeting of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Attendees included Mr. Panya Chuphanit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Songyothin Chanpathadhip, Inspector General of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Piyapong Jivatanakulpaisarn, Director-General of the Department of Highways, and Mr. Jiroj Suklarat, Director of the Office of Transport Policy and Planning (OTP), at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Dr. Chayatham stated that the important mission of the Ministry of Transport is to develop the transport system to ensure that citizens and businesses can travel and transport goods conveniently, safely, on time, at reasonable costs, and in an environmentally friendly manner. This involves four modes of transportation: road, rail, water, and air, serving as the main mechanisms to drive the country forward.

In addition to investing in infrastructure, the Ministry also emphasizes the development of laws, regulations, and regulatory agencies to enhance the efficiency of transport and logistics services in line with national development goals.

Currently, Thailand faces several challenges, including traffic congestion, accidents, pollution, and high transport costs. Therefore, the Ministry is moving forward with reforms in the Thai transportation system under a 20-year transportation development strategy to enhance travel efficiency both within cities and between them, while supporting sustainable economic growth.

In terms of rail transport, which is crucial for reducing logistics costs, Thailand still faces limitations such as delays in train operations and incomplete connections between transportation systems. Therefore, the Ministry aims to shift the transport mode from "road to rail" to increase the share of freight transported by rail, reduce the country’s logistics costs, and enhance the competitiveness of the Thai industrial sector.

A key approach involves government investment in developing rail infrastructure, while the private sector plays a role in providing rail services, investing in intermodal terminals, and managing logistics to create a system that is efficient and more responsive to business needs.

Current initiatives being promoted include:
• Development of infrastructure such as the nationwide double-track railway project
• Development of laws and regulations, e.g., establishing the Rail Transport Department and promoting the Rail Transport Act
• Upgrading transportation facilities, such as developing the Bangkok Interchange Station as a central railway hub
• Promoting comprehensive logistics service providers
Dr. Chayatham indicated that efficient logistics cost reduction will occur when all operators' operations—such as port managers, railway service providers, dry port managers, and supportive legislation for competition—are interconnected to establish a Single Operator Ecosystem that allows for seamless transportation management.

Another significant project that the Ministry of Transport is rapidly promoting is MR-Map (Motorway-Railway Map), which is an integrated plan for the development of intercity expressway networks and rail systems to share the same routing, aiming to reduce land expropriation, lessen the impact on communities, lower construction costs, and improve the connectivity of travel and goods transportation in the country.

Currently, the Ministry has set MR-Map routes totaling 10 routes nationwide and selected 4 pilot routes: MR1, MR10, MR8, and MR2, to accelerate initial investment. The goal is to create a transportation network that systematically connects roads, railways, ports, and logistics centers to support future economic growth and push Thailand towards becoming a logistics hub in the region.

For MR1, it is a prototype project that integrates Marine + Motorway + Rail, connecting Nakhon Sawan to Samut Sakhon Province and the Gulf of Thailand. It is designed to ensure that water, road, and rail transport work together seamlessly, addressing limitations of the old routes, such as the winding Chao Phraya River, railway passes through community areas, and various logistics bottlenecks.

This project will develop new infrastructure models, including motorways, rail routes, and interconnected water networks, which will enhance product transport efficiency, reduce time, lower logistics costs, and increase the long-term competitive potential of the Thai industrial sector.

“The government and the private sector must together envision the final future and collaborate on pushing forward. The work in transportation takes time to develop, and we need to see the entire Network Level picture and develop Project Level according to plans. Now our vision is clear; what remains is the process that needs to be expedited,” Dr. Chayatham added.

Mrs. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), expressed gratitude to Dr. Chayatham Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, for honoring the lecture and sharing perspectives with the FTI Committee, which is highly beneficial to the Thai industrial sector. Logistics policies and infrastructure development are vital foundations for economic development and enhancing the nation's competitive capabilities.
The development of a transport network that connects all systems—road, rail, water, and air—together with the promotion of crucial projects such as MR-Map will help enhance transport efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and increase investment opportunities for the industrial sector in the long term.
FTI is ready to be a partner with the government in promoting policies and listening to the private sector's opinions to ensure that infrastructure development aligns with the industry’s needs, supporting future changes and reinforcing Thailand’s potential to become a regional logistics and manufacturing hub sustainably.