Mandatory training and tests for truck drivers transporting dangerous goods will be enforced starting Sept 19, Department of Land Transport (DLT) deputy director-general Kamol Buranapong said Tuesday.
The move is part of Thailand's efforts to integrate United Nations (UN)-based road safety regulations into its domestic laws, he said.
The deputy chief made the comments at a public hearing for the training programme, attended by transport authorities and private logistics firms that transport dangerous goods.
The hearing involved initial layouts for the duration of the proposed training programme and its subsequent tests.
While an official format has not yet been settled, Mr Kamol said those who complete all training requirements and pass the tests will gain an internationally recognised certificate to transport dangerous goods.
He said the training programme will educate drivers about the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), which came into effect in 1968.
This treaty mainly concerns requirements each truck transporting dangerous goods must have, including set-format safety signs indicating the type of product carried inside the truck, and a list of items each truck must have as safety precautions. These include functioning fire extinguishers and traffic cones, among others.
As of 2016, 49 UN states supported ADR.
At present, the DLT issues separate licences for drivers who transport dangerous goods, called Tor 4 licences. Lasting three years, they observe domestically certified regulations.
However, in light of upcoming road-based logistics development plans in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and southern parts of China), Mr Kamol said the department will switch to using ADR-based certification.
By Sept 19, an ADR certificate will be a requirement by the DLT for dangerous goods transportation, Mr Kamol said.
"There are currently about 50,000 drivers with Tor 4 licences in the country," he said. "As an initial measure, these drivers will be exempted from the programme, by having them submit documents to the DLT stating their present licences have not yet expired."
According to him, requests to waive the training programme can be submitted by drivers and logistics firms starting next month.
However, once their licences expire, any licence renewals as of Sept 19 will require the drivers to take the training programme.