Thai Smile Bus joins UITP, expands global standing
Thai Smile Bus has become the first Thai public transport company to join the International Association of Public Transport, earning recognition as the world's largest electric bus operator outside China.
BANGKOK, 18 May 2026 — Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd. has officially joined the International Association of Public Transport, marking a major step in bringing Thailand's public transport sector closer to international standards.
Thai Smile Bus (TSB), a Thai-owned public transport enterprise, has stepped onto the international stage after officially receiving its membership certificate from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). The company has also secured recognition as the "world's largest electric bus (E-Bus) operator outside China," underscoring its position as a major player in clean-energy mass transit.
The formal induction into UITP, which has more than 2,000 members across the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide, plays a key role in promoting sustainable public transport development across multiple regions.
Kulaporn Wongmacharaphinya, Chief Executive Officer of TSB, said the UITP membership represented an important milestone and a significant leap forward for both the company and Thailand's road-based public transport sector. The membership enables the firm to exchange expertise, concepts, and technological innovations with global operators to improve operational standards, technology, and safety metrics, with the goal of elevating Thailand's public transport to international standards.
TSB has been honored by UITP as the world's largest E-Bus operator outside China, ranking number one globally for the largest fleet of 100% electric clean-energy buses. This achievement reflects Thailand's readiness and capacity to expand its urban transport network and support the country's broader net-zero carbon emissions target.
During a visit to Transit Smart Hub, Thailand's first fully integrated intelligent control center located at the company's headquarters, Worawit Chanchayanon, TSB's Chief Operating Officer and Strategy Officer, formally accepted the 2026 Membership Certificate from Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP.
