The latest news on transport and tourism from JTTRI-AIRO.

2026/06/04
Event
The 1st Japan–Thailand Workshop on Regional Public Transport

      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​​​​​​

Online : Link
Onsite : Link

      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)
  • TBD
    TBD
Speech from Guests of Hornor (10 Mins)
  • TBD
    TBD
  • 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
    Promotion Office, Kumamoto Prefecture
Discussion (30 Mins)
 
Closing Remark (10 Mins)
  • Mr. OKUDA Tetsuya, President for International Affairs/ President
    JTTRI, JTTRI-AIRO
  • Mr. Sorapong PAITOONPHONG, Director General
    Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport (MOT)
Registration​​​​​​
Online : Link
Onsite : Link

  • Opening Remarks
    Mr. SHUKURI Masafumi
    Chairman, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
  • Opening Remarks
    TBD
    TBD
  • Speech from Guests of Honor
    TBD
    Thai side
  • Speech from Guests of Honor
    Mr. KAJIWARA Toru
    Minister and Chief of Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan to Thailand
  • Keynote Speech
    Dr. Saksith CHALERMPONG
    Director, Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI)
  • Keynote Speech
    Dr. UTSUNOMIYA Kiyohito
    Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kansai University
  • Presentation & Discussion
    Dr. MUROI Toshiaki
    Research Fellow, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
  • Presentation & Discussion
    Dr. Patanapong SANGHATAWATANA, Ph.D.
    Assistant Director, Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI)
  • Presentation & Discussion
    Mr. Somchart WATTANAKLA
    Deputy Mayor, Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization
  • Presentation & Discussion
    Mr. TOMINAGA Yoshiyuki
    Director, Promotion Office, Kumamoto Prefecture
  • Closing Remarks
    Mr. OKUDA Tetsuya
    President for International Affairs/ President JTTRI, JTTRI-AIRO
  • Closing Remarks
    Mr. Sorapong PAITOONPHONG
    Director General, Department of Land Transport (DLT), Ministry of Transport (MOT)