Challenges of Dangerous Goods Transport by Rail in Thailand

For the transport of dangerous goods (DGs), trucks are more commonly used in Thailand. However, transportation by truck is often prone to accidents and even environmental damages. Rail freight transport is an environmentally friendly mode of transport, which is considered safe and reliable, though it has shown the lowest market share amongst all the freight transport modes in Thailand. This is because of a lack of logistics facilities, infrastructure, locomotive units, supported regulations and efficient operational practice. This situation led to the increase of risks of possible damages on inland logistics in the country. This paper carries out a study of the challenges of DGs transport by rail in Thailand. A comparison of legislations for DGs transport by rail between Europe, Japan and Thailand is organised to provide appropriate guidelines for the development of regulations applicable to the situation in Thailand. Results of the study indicate that DGs transport by rail in Thailand requires regulations, controlled operational procedures, and training provisions covering direct and block train operations, reliable maintenance of trains and shipping. With proper guidelines in place, the market share of DGs transport by rail in the country would increase and thus promote the railway transport mode as the backbone of an environmentally friendly transportation logistics component in the overall development of Thailand.