Older Diesel Cars to Undergo Stricter Inspections to Curb Pollution

[webfact]

 

In an effort to combat dangerously high levels of PM2.5 pollution, the Pollution Control Department has announced new regulations requiring diesel vehicles over 20 years old to undergo bi-annual inspections. This move aims to mitigate emissions from older vehicles that lack modern pollution control technology.

 

Pollution Control Department Director-General, Preeyaporn Suwannakes, revealed that PM2.5 levels vary depending on the environment and activities prevalent in different areas. Bangkok, notorious for its heavy traffic and high population density, is particularly affected by these emissions, with diesel vehicles being a significant contributor.

 

According to data from the Department of Land Transport, a large proportion of diesel vehicles in the country are over 20 years old. Given their outdated technology, these vehicles are less efficient in managing emissions.

 

To tackle this issue, the Pollution Control Department is considering increasing the frequency of mandatory vehicle inspections for these older diesel vehicles from once a year to twice a year.

 

 

The goal is to ensure these vehicles undergo more regular maintenance, thereby reducing PM2.5 emissions which substantially impact air quality.

 

These proposed measures are part of a broader initiative to enhance public health and environmental quality. By targeting emissions from older vehicles, the department aims to make a significant dent in the pollution levels affecting major cities.

 

In related news, a civil society group is preparing to present a bill to Parliament that aims to expedite climate goals while also protecting local communities’ rights to their natural resources.

 

Additionally, Thailand’s Ministry of Finance has announced new regulations concerning value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods. Effective from July 5 to December 31, 2024, the new rules will address tax disparities between foreign and domestic sellers, creating a fairer marketplace for consumers.

 

The Royal Thai Government Gazette published the Ministry's declaration today, focusing on customs duty exemptions for items valued at 1,500 baht or less.

 

These measures collectively highlight a concerted effort to address environmental and economic issues, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future.

 

Picture courtesy: Office of Natural and Environmental Policy
 

 

-- 2024-06-25

 

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[CharlieH]

Most of the older HGV would fail.

 

Guess it will lead to a huge rise in tea money at these local testing stations. 

[Pouatchee]

if only everyone took care of their vehicles. my truck is about 20 years old, diesel, body is ugly but apart from the occasional puff after running idle still runs clean. it is a real pity to see those smoke clouds coming by at high speed. but, one of the reasons these trucks run "rich" is because many tune them this way so they can go pedal to the metal with less risk of damaging their engines. some of these guys have high performance turbos and many mods under the hood that require running richer. that does not excuse the pollution we all must suffer, nor do the trucks who simply arent maintained. 

 

if the gvt is going to submit us to this, i hope they also submit the city bus and truck fleets to this.

Edited June 25 by Pouatchee

[JonnyF]

Let's hope they include the old Bangkok buses in this.

 

[JoePai]

Test EVERY year, those with black soot are killers

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, JoePai said:

Test EVERY year, those with black soot are killers

 

I'm assuming (never wise I know) that they are using the "twice a year" definition of bi-annual.

[tomaway]

Big trend is to modify pickup trucks like racing cars. I can see so many with the exhaust just purely removed, ECU and turbo modified, plus the big wheels going out of the wings...... the black smoke coming out of these pickup is just insane but..... according to the owners it is so cool!

 

Once again in the land of smile, if the RTP were doing their job.....  😏

[brianthainess]

22 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Test EVERY year, those with black soot are killers

They already do but all I have seen is that they do it on Idle not boot to the floor and see if it clears when the governors kick in. 

[ozz1]

Up here in the sticks most aren't registered anyway and they know where the cops hangout so nothing will change

[ikke1959]

another crackdown on black smoke cars.. as far as I know cars have to be checked before paying tax.. Why are these cars passing the tests?? and why is the RTP only checking if the tax is paid instead walking around the car and check brake lights, black smoke, licenseplates?? Nothing to do with 20 year old cars.. In fact there should be a program to take them of the road and and replace them with new or younger ones.. better for the air quality too

[lordgrinz]

I'm calling BS, I'll believe it when I see it, I haven't seen a single vehicle or driver enforced rule/law since I got here 8 years ago......this is a declaration to please the masses, but has no teeth, especially since there isn't a police force to enforce it.

 

Quote

Older Diesel Cars to Undergo Stricter Inspections to Curb Pollution

 

[digbeth]

my diesel truck pass the annual inspection despite not having a catalytic converter, due to it being clogged up one time, and to replace it with new ones from the dealer costs just too much

 

new cars standards are stricter than what's required to pass at the annal test centers, so unless they up the standard test for older diesels, most of the trucks will still pass

[Sandboxer]

1 hour ago, tomaway said:

according to the owners it is so cool!

 

I've renamed the D-max the Douche-max because most of these a-hole mobiles seem to be this model.

[MeePeeMai]

24 minutes ago, Sandboxer said:

 

I've renamed the D-max the Douche-max because most of these a-hole mobiles seem to be this model.

 

Yep, they usually add aftermarket tuning, a performance chip, performance fuel pump or oversize pressure regulator, larger than OEM fuel injectors and open up the intake system to get more performance and so that they can "roll coal" as they say in the USA.

 

It's obnoxious, dirty and unhealthy but hey, it's their country, the police don't give a damn so it's none of my business.  Let them choke on it. 

[Madgee]

In my neck of the woods, most of the older pick-ups,  smoke-belching or not have never seen an inspection for years. They have no plates, smashed lights etc. and the police do nothing because these poor folks have no money to pay their fines so what's the point of fining them? (sarcasm intended) Many have no intention of ever complying with the law and because of their circumstances, the law does not apply to them. 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, Madgee said:

In my neck of the woods, most of the older pick-ups,  smoke-belching or not have never seen an inspection for years. They have no plates, smashed lights etc. and the police do nothing because these poor folks have no money to pay their fines so what's the point of fining them? (sarcasm intended) Many have no intention of ever complying with the law and because of their circumstances, the law does not apply to them. 

 

Welcome to the 3rd World.

[NatureFilm]

testing alone does't make them clean

 

[rumeaug]

You can't take the old diesel out of the old diesel, no matter how many so-called inspections. 

[Thumbs]

What about all these newer trucks with racing turbos fitted? They kick out far more rubbish and they should be inspected but still seem to get a pass and remain on the roads

[Xonax]

Stricter pollution regulations is good, but stricter law enforcement would be better. Also all motorbikes and cars with modified exhaust systems should be removed from the roads.

[klauskunkel]

Street food without black smoke, that will change the flavor.

Alright, more MSG then...

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In an effort to combat dangerously high levels of PM2.5 pollution, the Pollution Control Department has announced new regulations requiring diesel vehicles over 20 years old to undergo bi-annual inspections

 

[BritScot]

Maybe I'm just unlucky but every diesel vehicle I've bought new in Thailand (Triton & Everest) have spewed black smoke if an aggressive departure from the lights etc. My conclusion has always been bad fuel or they don't install real catalytic converter. My vehicles are always well maintained. 

[brianthainess]

36 minutes ago, rumeaug said:

You can't take the old diesel out of the old diesel, no matter how many so-called inspections. 

New Injectors and a serviced/new fuel pump should. Then tested again.

[eddie61]

4 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Most of the older HGV would fail.

 

Guess it will lead to a huge rise in tea money at these local testing stations. 

Sounds like a nice little earner

[spidermike007]

Total nonsense. A while back they had another campaign similar to this and they had posters with phone numbers that you could call to report vehicles that were polluting. We were driving and we saw this truck that was pumping out huge black clouds of smoke and I copied down their license plate and I dialed the number, and handed my phone to my Thai wife and ask her speak to the department. She asked the person who answered the phone what can they do? He ask my wife why are you calling us and she said, well you have phone numbers posted to report polluting vehicles? The guy said well I don't know who I would report it to, and she said well that's not really our issue is it? You're supposed to be monitoring polluting vehicles. He said OK, I'll give me the license plate number and I'll see what I can do. My wife said are you going to do anything? He said, I don't know I need to look at the regulations first and see who I'm supposed to report it to, and then maybe somebody will do something.

 

How long have you lived here? How often have we seen promises like this? This current administration is infamous for pledges, declarations, proclamations and promises. Few are even remembered, much less followed up upon two weeks later.

 

They say we will do something about poorly maintained diesel vehicles. And nothing is ever done, because the cops are too lazy, and the highway patrol refuses to patrol the highway, and the special hotlines you set up, do not know anything about the program, or the laws. 

 

We care about the environment. Yeah right. Another bald faced lie. You care not, you see the air, you talk about the air, and you do nothing about the air. More empty words from the "do nothing men".

 

[GypsyT]

Diesels can be handy - sometimes:

 

 

[Humpy]

My Nissan 4 door pickup is 24 years old, has done over 380,000 km , serviced every year, does not blow smoke and you can still read the number plate ! The dumper trucks with their dustbin sized exhausts blowing clouds are waved through police checkpoints. Pickups that have been in accidents and still not been repaired, ie lights missing ,  no number plates and blowing smoke are all waved through. Not forgetting the 2 year old cars with their number plates sprayed over, are also waved through. Until the police do their job properly nothing will change...... 

[Aussie999]

That should put most of those dangerously overloaded, modified, black smoke belching, pick-ups off the road, and most trucks.

[DPKANKAN]

4 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Most of the older HGV would fail.

 

Guess it will lead to a huge rise in tea money at these local testing stations. 

More than half of them, especially the really old ones have no tax on MOT anyway ffs!!!!