History of the Traffic and Transportation Department
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is considered the center of prosperities in various aspects such as economy, trade, investment, education, politics, public administration and culture. This qualification has provided Bangkok the best opportunity to develop rapidly. Recently, it has become a home to massive number of migrant domestic and international workers who seek for business and investment opportunities which has yet reflected in the dramatic increase of population. Because of human settlement that spreading evenly over wide regions and urbanization without an effective enforcement of city planning law, this has yet to cause traffic congestion to be exacerbated. The number of cars increases continuously while the number of road networks in Bangkok is relatively limited, inadequate mass transit system, and undisciplined drivers have delivered negative impact on the city’s economy, society, environment, general well-being, and the country’s capacity for competitiveness.

It was in 1971 when the Traffic and transport management systematically began. The German Government and the Royal Thai Government engaged in a bilateral cooperative project. In consequent, experts from F.H. Kocks Consulting Engineering Rhein Ruhring, GMBH were dispatched to work in collaboration with Thai officials to initially conduct a survey and planning of traffic flow in Bangkok. In 1973, the Cabinet passed a resolution to establish a special agency known as the “Office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Traffic Engineering” on 12 June 1973 under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Its mandates are to implement road design, planning for traffic congestion solution and develop mass transportation system in the future. After the promulgation of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act, B.E. 2518 (1975), the Office was then referred as the “Traffic Engineering Division” under the umbrella of the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the BMA on 14 February 1975. The division was then became the “Traffic and Transportation Department” or TTD in accordance with the BMA announcement on 29 December 1993. Its responsibilities ranged from research, exploration, data collection, analysis, planning, design, to the development of road networks, traffic systems, and public transportations, including promotion of traffic and transport safety in Bangkok metropolis.

The Traffic and Transportation Department  has the following authorities:

               1. Study, survey, gather information on traffic and transport and analyze the cause and solution for traffic issues and develop main and supplementary mass transit system projects. Design and analyze the feasibility of the road network to develop and solve traffic issues. Propose policies on the safety development and implementation plan.

               2.  Develop a Bangkok traffic master plan, form the department information technology development and implementation plan and develop a traffic and transportation computer program.

               3.  Study, analyze, determine and improve the traffic engineering and road equipment standard as well as manage the traffic and transportation in Bangkok.

               4.  Survey, design and estimate for installation, dismantling, moving and maintenance of traffic signs, traffic engineering equipment, traffic lights and safety equipment. Provide facility to help the disabled and elderly as well as provide bicycle lanes and bicycle parking spots.

               5.  Study, survey, design, install, inspect and develop a traffic and safety information technology, communication network system, closed-circuit television (CCTV), Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and people’s lives and asset safety with advanced technology.

               6.  Be the central control of communication by optic fiber cable, CCTV and digital trunked radio system in Bangkok for the safety and convenience of transportation and to be the center of coordination with related sectors.

               7.  Develop and maintain CCTV and communication network of Bangkok in managing, implementing and servicing the people as well as propagating through various media.
               8.  Study, survey, design, direct and supervise the construction of railway, road and water transportations junction.

               9.  Study, analyze, specify service standard and plan out Bangkok mass transit system on railway, road and water transportation.

               10.  Study and analyze the feasibility in managing, developing, improving and modifying the road, rail and water transportation revenue to be sufficient for the operation. As well as to gain income by giving rights or employing or any other means of obtaining revenue which will not affect people’s convenience and safety in transportation.

               11.  Publicize and provide information on traffic and transportation and other related information through online media. Urge traffic discipline. Develop and publicize discipline in traffic to both the adolescents and the people.

               12.  Perform other related or assigned duties.

The Secretarial Division
The Policy and Planning Division
The Traffic Engineering Office
The Traffic Technology Division
The Transport System Office