Bangkok fights smog with free public transport for a week

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

The Thai government is taking bold action to tackle Bangkok’s persistent smog problem by offering free rides on the BTS, MRT, and BMTA buses for seven days, starting tomorrow, January 25. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle usage and ease air pollution in the capital.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced the measure today.

“From January 25 to 31, people will be able to ride the electric trains and buses for free as part of our efforts to combat the city’s smog.”

 

This plan, ordered by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is designed to encourage residents to leave their cars at home.

The government has already coordinated with BTS Group Holdings and the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) to ensure the scheme runs smoothly. To compensate for the revenue loss during this period, the government will propose a central budget allocation of 140 million baht to the Cabinet for approval.

“Although we anticipate a surge in passengers, the compensation will match the operators’ average revenue from the past seven days.”

 

The Ministry of Transport has set up eight black smoke checkpoints in key locations, including Future Park Rangsit, Chatuchak Park, and Rama II Road. These checkpoints aim to monitor and reduce emissions from high-polluting vehicles, reported KhaoSod.

“We expect more than 20 to 30% of the public to take advantage of this free service. If dust levels fail to improve after seven days, we will evaluate the possibility of extending the initiative.”

 

IQAir yesterday reported that nearly every area in Thailand experienced PM 2.5 levels that are harmful to health. As of 6.23am yesterday, January 23, the global air quality monitoring company released real-time data, revealing the top 10 most polluted districts and cities in the country.

 

The most affected area was Mueang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality, with a US Air Quality Index (AQI) of 199. Following closely were Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani with a US AQI of 187, Lam Luk Ka district in Pathum Thani at 186, and Nakhon Chai Si district in Nakhon Pathom, which shares a US AQI of 185 with Rayong province. Pattaya in Chon Buri records a US AQI of 182.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-01-24

 

 

[Geoffggi]

I cannot foresee the Bangkok Hi-So population giving up their personal means of transport for a public mode of transportation .....LOL

[Briggsy]

The real solutions are too difficult and would impact both swathes of poor people (transport and agriculture) and also the incredibly powerful and influential CP Group.

 

So, it is free buses, cloud-seeding attempts and blaming the wind.

 

 

[JemJem]

Is this the very first time such a decision has been made for Bangkok? I mean, this 'free public transport due to air pollution'. I cannot recall one from before, but, of course it may have happened. 

 

[Briggsy]

1 hour ago, JemJem said:

Is this the very first time such a decision has been made for Bangkok? I mean, this 'free public transport due to air pollution'. I cannot recall one from before, but, of course it may have happened. 

 

Effective and powerful opposition to governments in Thailand always originates through the displeasure of Bangkok. Every government always focuses on the concerns of Bangkok first and foremost.

 

Ballot box - focus on rural areas.

Popular protest - focus on concerns of Bangkok.

[ifmu]

Oh ya free trans will take care of the air

[jcmj]

And there is the bandaid that they are going to try to use and if/when it doesn’t work then they will try something else. Every year is getting worse and they still only react to the issues once they become a problem. 

[Zack61]

I hope they put on extra services to cater for the increased passenger numbers. At rush hour now they pack them in like sardines and often people are unable to get on some of the trains. Can only imagine the mayhem during this week if the uptake is as high as they hope. 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

“From January 25 to 31, people will be able to ride the electric trains and buses for free as part of our efforts to combat the city’s smog.”

And then, back to smog land... the city officials are useless, remove them from office and get someone in who can make changes..

Paetogtarn the supposed PM is worse, maybe enjoying the fresh air in the Swiss Alps.

All her father worries about is making the next family biilions

[TheFishman1]

Every year it’s the same stuff they don’t wanna fix it TIT

[Captor]

16 hours ago, JemJem said:

Is this the very first time such a decision has been made for Bangkok? I mean, this 'free public transport due to air pollution'. I cannot recall one from before, but, of course it may have happened. 

 

No, not the first time. And it did not help last tme as well. And not next year too.

[ikke1959]

years of pollution cn not be solved in 1 week free public transport. But enforcement of the laws, and a working RTP together with strict measures for less pollution. Yesterday we went from Bangkok to my home and we saw at several places near the road wildfires, at least 30 very heavy black smoke fuming cars, and I told my partner this is only what we see and there will be many more on the roads.. and that for weeks or months. How can you solve the problem if you don't start with strict measures and heavy fines?? The corruption is is a few hundred THB and they go on. Why not announce that these black smoke fuming cars have 2 weeks to solve the problem and after that they will be fined with 5000THB or have to stop their car and can drive on when the problem is solved... Besides that a lot of old cars ar driving on the roads. Invest in replacing these old 40 year old cars and lower the particulate matter.. Same for wildfires.. big fines for it, but the RTP doesn't care if you call them. So nothing is be done and it will get worse year after year

[OldmanJ]

Sounds like a plan.Lets concentrate on Bangkok and the hi so's again and hope Thailands smog and dirty air problem will be solved.Do any other provinces exist in the government small mind.

[KhunBENQ]

When the winds come back and blow away the dirt all the plans and measures will be forgotten.

Currently the whole subcontinent is close to no winds. The winds from the sea look like hitting a wall.

[Spamhead]

4 hours ago, ifmu said:

Oh ya free trans will take care of the air

I think the article said free trains but if you want free trans you go right ahead.

[Justanotherone]

[Clarkey611]

I asked one of my colleagues yesterday, whether she would be using the BTS next week? Unfortunately, she said "no", as there were too many Chinese tourists using the system and she did not want to pick up a disease!

[Sydebolle]

A step in the right direction; use gasoline and petrol tax income to run the public transport system. 

Maybe a little longer than a week, say like as of today onwards forever. 

Yet it is only a very small drop of water on a very hot stone; try to stop the burning of rice and sugar cane fields.

This has to be taken to millions of underpaid, indebted and uneducated farmers which usually form the majority of the voter base, is controllable with the little envelopes on the campaign trail though. The problem now is, that the very same corrupt electorate, which has been voting nicely for the dinosaurs at the top, are the very same majority voter base for those governments. 

The goons in the government (literally all of them for all I know) now cannot breathe down the neck of the same farmers as they would for sure lose millions of votes in the next election. 

And, as long as education is a negligible nuisance on the budget, as long as teachers are semi-divine and the teaching material hardly worth the paper is is printed on - you get a perfect cocktail of "you cannot have your cake and eat it".

Just wondering when the leadership comes up with rain-making flights again or will set up misters all over Bangkok (at exorbitant pricing procured of course) to ineffectively try, what nature has been doing since its existence!

[newnative]

     That's not 'bold action'.  Far from it.  That's just pretending to do something.  Make a little publicity while not having to actually do anything.  While not having to actually make some bold decisions, some tough decisions.  Easy peasy.  Free transit, for a week.  Count 'em.  Ok, that's done. 

    Meanwhile, what's it going to be like riding the subway--with its way too inadequate  packed 3 and 4-car trains when riding isn't free?  Spouse and I only ride non-rush hour and even then it's way overcrowded.  How are you going to get people to give up their cars when public transportation is a miserable experience at rush hour?  

[RayWright]

5 hours ago, ifmu said:

Oh ya free trans will take care of the air

Not sure how the Kathoey's will do this. Care to expand?

[maddermax]

The authorities are probably regretting not encouraging the public to switch to electric cars!

[spidermike007]

Even if many people switch to public transportation it would be but a pinhead of the real smoke problem. 

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

[brewsterbudgen]

[sungod]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

years of pollution cn not be solved in 1 week free public transport. But enforcement of the laws, and a working RTP together with strict measures for less pollution. Yesterday we went from Bangkok to my home and we saw at several places near the road wildfires, at least 30 very heavy black smoke fuming cars, and I told my partner this is only what we see and there will be many more on the roads.. and that for weeks or months. How can you solve the problem if you don't start with strict measures and heavy fines?? The corruption is is a few hundred THB and they go on. Why not announce that these black smoke fuming cars have 2 weeks to solve the problem and after that they will be fined with 5000THB or have to stop their car and can drive on when the problem is solved... Besides that a lot of old cars ar driving on the roads. Invest in replacing these old 40 year old cars and lower the particulate matter.. Same for wildfires.. big fines for it, but the RTP doesn't care if you call them. So nothing is be done and it will get worse year after year

 

I'm not convinced all these road side fires are wild in origin

 

Agree on giving them time to fix the vehicles, but after a designated time I would put them in the crusher as collecting fines in this country is hard work.

[VR333]

Free public transport... nice idea, but with trains on the blue line already so crowded, I think I will take a taxi to my destination next week, to avoid the crush 🙂

[LarryLEB]

Free public transport forever would not put more than a small (i.e. tiny) dent in the air pollution problem at this time of year.

[Will B Good]

 

 

So free public transport stops agricultural burning?........interesting concept.

[impulse]

They should just call it what it is.  Free public transport for the Lunar New Year Holiday.  Which I applaud.  Happiness for the little people and all that.

 

Flying into Thailand from the north, it's pretty apparent that the big problem isn't cars, trucks and buses in Bangkok.

 

I won't be in Bangkok during that period, and I'm glad I won't be needing the BTS or MRT.  It'll be an absolute zoo with free passage.

 

 

 

[Sydebolle]

I am absolutely convinced, that the government is doing the very best in law enforcement and sputtering new ideas to no end. 

Yet I wonder, if the free public transport has an influence on the readings in Nong Khai, some 650 - 700 kms away from the big stinky. Reading was done at 6am this morning .........

Me thinks, it might have to do with burnt sugar cane and rice fields and nobody dares to touch those farmers as they are the voting base of these gifted governments with which Thailand has been blessed over the last 40 years while I am here .......

Touch the farmers and you will see, how uneducated voters, financially speaking "no-have-anythings" will retaliate backfire big time! 

[Will B Good]

 

2 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

I am absolutely convinced, that the government is doing the very best in law enforcement and sputtering new ideas to no end. 

Yet I wonder, if the free public transport has an influence on the readings in Nong Khai, some 650 - 700 kms away from the big stinky. Reading was done at 6am this morning .........

Me thinks, it might have to do with burnt sugar cane and rice fields and nobody dares to touch those farmers as they are the voting base of these gifted governments with which Thailand has been blessed over the last 40 years while I am here .......

Touch the farmers and you will see, how uneducated voters, financially speaking "no-have-anythings" will retaliate backfire big time! 

 

 

In addition to protecting their votes, they also know the papers won't report anything outside of BKK and Chang Mai......so who cares about us choking to death out in the sticks?