Chao Phraya Express Boat Prepares for Interferry 2026 Conference

Interferry 2026 anchors in Bangkok this November 2–4, serving as a stage to showcase ferry innovations and elevate Thailand to a global water-transport hub while driving the economy and eco-friendly water travel worldwide. The countdown begins for hosting the world-class "Interferry 2026 – The 50th Annual Interferry Conference," held grandly from October 31 to November 4, 2026, at the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok. Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd., Thailand's legendary water mass-transit operator and this year's host, has revealed its vision and pivotal adaptation strategy to cope with changing modern travel patterns. Chairwoman Supapan Pichai-ratchasongkram disclosed that travel patterns along both banks of the Chao Phraya River have changed significantly. From a past ridership of around 30,000–40,000 people per day, it has now adjusted to approximately 15,000–20,000 per day. The main factor comes from the transformation of riverside areas from what were once centers of government agencies and large educational institutions into commercial zones, luxury hotels, and tourism destinations such as ICONSIAM, Asiatique, and Maharaj Pier. This has shifted the purpose of boat travel from daily commuting to tourism. Additionally, the expansion of transport infrastructure including the BTS, MRT, and the comprehensive expressway network, along with work-from-home behaviors that began during the COVID-19 crisis, have all accelerated giving passengers more diverse and faster options.

Highlighting "On-Time, Safe" Strengths to Retain 70% Market Share Despite facing challenges from increased travel alternatives, Chao Phraya Express Boat continues to maintain its leadership with a market share of around 70%. This success stems from the philosophy of "integrity toward customers," focusing on fast, punctual service that helps passengers avoid the uncertainty of road traffic. Most importantly, safety has been maintained for decades with vessel accident statistics near zero, while keeping fares affordable for the public.

Next Steps Toward Innovation: Developing New-Era Vessels and Expanding Business To respond to changing travel patterns, Chao Phraya Express Boat is not standing still as a mere operator of existing routes but is advancing development of new passenger vessels using steel and aluminum materials that are lighter, stronger, more durable, consume less energy, and achieve better speeds under the highest safety standards. Simultaneously, the company has expanded its capabilities to become a specialist in comprehensive vessel operating systems, including consulting on vessel construction, maintenance, and operations management. This includes taking on management of electric passenger boats on the Saen Saep Canal (Wat Sri Boon Rueang–Min Buri extension). The company also sees opportunities to expand routes to other provinces and coastal sea routes in the future. This continuous adaptation not only reinforces its image as more than a public transport system but also reflects a vision ready to step into the future, aligning with the Interferry 2026 conference theme "Stronger Than Ever… Together."