The Government of Thailand is set to replace its remaining non-air-conditioned cream-and-red buses with 1,520 electric buses under a THB14.905 billion seven-year lease contract. The first 500 buses are scheduled for delivery by March 30, 2027, followed by another 500 by April 30, 2026, and the remaining 520 by May 30, 2026. The project remains on schedule despite Foton withdrawing as a component supplier, with CRRC now expected to supply structural components for the full fleet.
Production and assembly are being carried out in Chachoengsao, with the facility capable of assembling up to 15 buses a day. The new fleet will undergo road testing, system checks and driver training before entering passenger service. The electric buses are expected to reduce annual operating costs by more than THB4.1 billion, while fares currently starting at THB8 are expected to be replaced by the higher fare structure used on air-conditioned services.