The Transport Ministry has vowed to regain people's trust in public transport by stepping up safety measures for women.
The recent rape and murder of 13-year-old Nong Kaem on board a State Railway of Thailand (SRT) train has sapped confidence in public transport, observers say.
Transport Ministry permanent secretary Soithip Traisuth said yesterday the agency is working with private operators to ensure safety for women and children on all modes of public transport.
The SRT's women-and-kids car, launched early this month, has received positive feedback, she said.
Several transport operators have responded to the ministry's announcement to ramp up safety for female travellers with plans to kick off their own campaigns tomorrow, Mother's Day.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) chief Makin Petplai said parking spaces for women will be arranged in six airports, starting at Suvarnabhumi, where on the second and third floors of its car park building, spaces will be allocated for 450 women drivers.
Only women who come alone or with children aged under 12 will be allowed to park their cars in the so-called "lady parking zone", he said.
"Lady parking zones" in Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang and Phuket airports have been prepared in front of car park buildings.
Spaces for 200 vehicles will also be arranged at Don Mueang airport, which could take about two months, Mr Makin said.
Development of lady parking zones in Hat Yai and Chiang Mai airports is also underway, he said.
Mr Makin said he has also instructed all airports to focus on the installation of lights and CCTV cameras to increase safety measures for women.
Kruawan Wongrukmi, director of Nakhon Chai Air, the operator of an inter-provincial bus service, said the company's "lady zone" reserved for female passengers on its vehicles will open tomorrow on routes from Bangkok to northeastern destinations.
"Since reservations opened, up to 12,000 passengers have booked lady zone seats, and customer demand is increasing," said Ms Kruawan.
SRT caretaker governor Prasert Attanan said the women-and-kids-only car has been implemented in four routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Sungai Kolok, Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai.
Mr Prasert said the special cars have all-female staff and are strict on security.
Land Transport Department chief Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said the department is conducting a feasibility study into a women-only taxi service.