On Friday, 19th June 2026 Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-lndia Regional (JTTRI-AIRO) and Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI) will kick-off the first Japan–Thailand Workshop on Regional Public Transport in the theme of Sustainability of regional public transport services in regional areas in Thailand and Japan - Sharing the Current Situation and Key Challenges-. This workshop will provide an opportunity for Japan and Thailand to share the current situation and initiatives related to regional public transport, exchange knowledge and experience toward maintaining and improving public transport services in rural and local areas, and continue discussions aimed at addressing specific challenges going forward.
Registration
JTTRI’s ASEAN–India Regional Office (JTTRI-AIRO) has held discussions with the Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI) in October 2025 and January 2026 on public transport services in rural and local areas of Japan and Thailand. Through these discussions, the participants shared the understanding that, in rural and local areas of Thailand, intra-city route bus services are not sufficiently developed, while informal transport services such as shared pickup trucks and motorcycle taxis support local mobility. At the same time, it was noted that Thailand has recently been experiencing trends of population aging and declining birth rates, raising concerns over the future aging of service providers and a shortage of operators.
the First Japan–Thailand Workshop on Regional Public Transport
Date & Time
19th June (Fri) 2026
13:30-16:45 (ICT)
15:30-18:45 (JST)
Venue
Online : Zoom Webinar
Onsite : Ampai Sujaritkul Room, 1st Floor, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University
Theme
Sustainability of regional public transport services in regional areas in Thailand and Japan - Sharing the Current Situation and Key Challenges-
Program
Opening Remarks (10 Mins)
- Mr. SHUKURI Masafumi, Chairman
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
- Prof. Dr. Rungsun Rerknimitr
Vice President, Chulalongkorn University
Speech from Guests of Hornor (10 Mins)
- H.E. Mr. Arkhom TERMPITTAYAPAISITH
Former Minister of Finance and Former Minister of Transport
- Mr. KAJIWARA Toru, Minister and Chief
Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan to Thailand
Keynote Lecture (30 Mins)
- Dr. Saksith CHALERMPONG, Director
Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI)
- Dr. UTSUNOMIYA Kiyohito, Professor
Faculty of Economics, Kansai University
Presentation (10 Mins)
- Dr. MUROI Toshiaki, Research Fellow
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
Discussion (30 Mins)
Break (15 Mins)
Presentation (30 Mins)
- Dr. Patanapong SANGHATAWATANA, Ph.D., Assistant Director
Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI)
- Mr. Somchart WATTANAKLA, Deputy Mayor
Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization
- Mr. TOMINAGA Yoshiyuki, Director
Planning and Promotion Office, Kumamoto Prefecture
Discussion (30 Mins)
Closing Remark (10 Mins)
- Mr. OKUDA Tetsuya, President for International Affairs
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
- Mr. Sorapong PAITOONPHONG, Director General
Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport (MOT)
Registration
Thank you for joining us. This event has now concluded, and we look forward to seeing you again soon at our future events.
※This event facilitated simultaneous interpreter for Thai and Japanese only.
