Bangkok's Free Transport Initiative Sparks Criticism Amidst Haze Crisis

[webfact]

Passengers exit a station on Bangkok's elevated Skytrain, in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerry Harmer)

 

In Bangkok, the government's recent decision to offer free public transportation has ignited a heated debate. Designed to address the city's escalating haze problem, this initiative is provoked by alarming dust pollution levels as particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches troubling concentrations. Yet, critics argue that the plan merely scratches the surface of a far deeper issue.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday that Bangkok's transport services, including buses and electric trains, would be made free for a week, starting immediately on Saturday. This move aims to reduce vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to PM2.5 pollution, by encouraging residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport.

 

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that approximately 140 million baht (around £3.2 million) from the central budget would be allocated to compensate operators for the lost revenue during this period.

 

Collaborations with Bangkok Transit System Plc, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company, and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority ensure that residents can avail these services without charge.

Nonetheless, the plan has faced notable resistance. Many argue it is an inadequate solution to the pollution problem and a misallocation of taxpayer money. Criticism is widespread on social platforms, with politicians and environmentalists voicing their concerns.

 

Korrawee Prissananantakul, a Bhumjaithai MP from Ang Thong, voiced scepticism about the effectiveness of this initiative. "This policy can only succeed if car owners truly switch to public transport," he remarked. He questioned whether such a behavioural shift is realistic, describing it as a complex challenge.

 

Environmental experts echo this sentiment. Jessada Denduangboripant, from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science, labelled the 140-million-baht expenditure as wasteful. He suggested a more impactful use of these funds might involve purchasing air purifiers for schools suffering from the haze.

 

A view of Bangkok's elevated Skytrain line, in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerry Harmer)

 

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, another environmental expert, criticised the government's slow response. He noted that despite advance warnings, actions only materialised after pollution spikes became severe, urging for faster and more proactive measures.

 

There have, however, been tangible outcomes from the initiative. According to Pichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, Saturday saw a notable increase in public transport usage: 1,634,446 used the free electric train services, marking a 45.29% rise compared to previous Saturdays.

 

With Bangkok's haze expected to persist, the debate continues on whether this free transport measure is a timely intervention or a costly distraction from more sustainable solutions. As the situation unfolds, both the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing pollution and its financial viability remain subjects of public scrutiny, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-27

 

 

[Yagoda]

Its not cars and trucks alone. Its burning. Stop the burning.

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Its not cars and trucks alone. Its burning. Stop the burning.

 

Air looks clear to me, perhaps you need to remove your shades?

[Upnotover]

Well the plan worked, brilliant move by the Government.  Woke up this morning to fresh air and cool winds, well done, pat yourselves on the back.  Note to self, avoid BTS and MRT this week, will be packed solid.

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Air looks clear to me, perhaps you need to remove your shades?

A solid 90 overall. That means the discussion is closed till next year.

[JoePai]

9 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Air looks clear to me, perhaps you need to remove your shades?

That's due to the cold front from China last night (and the wind) - it will not last unfortunatley

[steven100]

oh stop whinging .....     I used the BTS twice yesterday and it was great   !!  

 

well done PM,  and well done Khun Prayut who ordered construction of the second part.  

[FritsSikkink]

3 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Well the plan worked, brilliant move by the Government.  Woke up this morning to fresh air and cool winds, well done, pat yourselves on the back.  Note to self, avoid BTS and MRT this week, will be packed solid.

Couldn't get into the MRT, huge cues and they stopped people from getting on the platform. Went back home to work from there.

[Upnotover]

14 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Couldn't get into the MRT, huge cues and they stopped people from getting on the platform. Went back home to work from there.

Ha ha, that's just brilliant!  Have a nice day working from home, also part of the Gov't strategy!

[maddermax]

It would probably be cheaper to supply the farmers up north with nitrate fertiliser to be used to Mak compost from their crop waste. They get fertiliser for their next crop and reduce the particulates in the air. A WIN WIN Situation!

[Atlantic Cod]

It is not about free transport or air quality, it is the first step to ban gas and diesel transportation 

[Emdog]

4 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Air looks clear to me, perhaps you need to remove your shades?

Try IQ air. https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map/thailand/bangkok/bang-kapi

Some numbers in area at 301 (above 25 not good for your health). "Air looking clear" is laughable at best. And if you were at Chernobyl, would you say "Air looks clear to me". Scientists develop instruments so our far from perfect senses don't over rule factual data.

[Joe32]

4 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Well the plan worked, brilliant move by the Government.  Woke up this morning to fresh air and cool winds, well done, pat yourselves on the back.  Note to self, avoid BTS and MRT this week, will be packed solid.

Did they produce the wind? 

[Beerzy65]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Passengers exit a station on Bangkok's elevated Skytrain, in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerry Harmer)

 

In Bangkok, the government's recent decision to offer free public transportation has ignited a heated debate. Designed to address the city's escalating haze problem, this initiative is provoked by alarming dust pollution levels as particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches troubling concentrations. Yet, critics argue that the plan merely scratches the surface of a far deeper issue.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday that Bangkok's transport services, including buses and electric trains, would be made free for a week, starting immediately on Saturday. This move aims to reduce vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to PM2.5 pollution, by encouraging residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport.

 

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that approximately 140 million baht (around £3.2 million) from the central budget would be allocated to compensate operators for the lost revenue during this period.

 

Collaborations with Bangkok Transit System Plc, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company, and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority ensure that residents can avail these services without charge.

 

Nonetheless, the plan has faced notable resistance. Many argue it is an inadequate solution to the pollution problem and a misallocation of taxpayer money. Criticism is widespread on social platforms, with politicians and environmentalists voicing their concerns.

 

Korrawee Prissananantakul, a Bhumjaithai MP from Ang Thong, voiced scepticism about the effectiveness of this initiative. "This policy can only succeed if car owners truly switch to public transport," he remarked. He questioned whether such a behavioural shift is realistic, describing it as a complex challenge.

 

Environmental experts echo this sentiment. Jessada Denduangboripant, from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science, labelled the 140-million-baht expenditure as wasteful. He suggested a more impactful use of these funds might involve purchasing air purifiers for schools suffering from the haze.

 

A view of Bangkok's elevated Skytrain line, in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerry Harmer)

 

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, another environmental expert, criticised the government's slow response. He noted that despite advance warnings, actions only materialised after pollution spikes became severe, urging for faster and more proactive measures.

 

There have, however, been tangible outcomes from the initiative. According to Pichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, Saturday saw a notable increase in public transport usage: 1,634,446 used the free electric train services, marking a 45.29% rise compared to previous Saturdays.

 

With Bangkok's haze expected to persist, the debate continues on whether this free transport measure is a timely intervention or a costly distraction from more sustainable solutions. As the situation unfolds, both the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing pollution and its financial viability remain subjects of public scrutiny, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-27

 

 

Doesn't include buses as paid ฿15 last night

[PeeJayEm]

Why not double or triple the road tolls for the period to cover the cost of the free public transport?  That would also be dealing with the issue at source instead of the via via idea of moving out of their cars onto public transport.   Middle

 class Somchai going to want to be without his luxury travel.

[newnative]

47 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Couldn't get into the MRT, huge cues and they stopped people from getting on the platform. Went back home to work from there.

Yes, it was awful on Sunday--never seen it so packed.  Horrible.  45% increase in usage but no increase in the frequency of the trains and no increase in the number of cars per train.  

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

oh stop whinging .....     I used the BTS twice yesterday and it was great   !!  

 

well done PM,  and well done Khun Prayut who ordered construction of the second part.  

 

I think it was Daddy this

[CLW]

The majority of the air pollution isn't created from cars in Bangkok. It's from crop burning in Thailand and neighbouring countries. When does the government finally understand this? Unless there are no severe consequences for arsonists it'll continue forever. 

[kingstonkid]

9 minutes ago, PeeJayEm said:

Why not double or triple the road tolls for the period to cover the cost of the free public transport?  That would also be dealing with the issue at source instead of the via via idea of moving out of their cars onto public transport.   Middle

 class Somchai going to want to be without his luxury travel.

The challenge is that the people would complain that they can not get to where they work and sell their products.

 

The main areas in BKK for the problem are factories and along the BTS line because there is no where for fumes to go it is like being in a bottle.  

[steven100]

7 minutes ago, newnative said:

Yes, it was awful on Sunday--never seen it so packed.  Horrible.  45% increase in usage but no increase in the frequency of the trains and no increase in the number of cars per train.  

oh stop whining,  yes it was busy but what did you expect, I got on and had to stand in the crowed train but hey ' ... guess what '    it was free  

[kingstonkid]

4 minutes ago, CLW said:

The majority of the air pollution isn't created from cars in Bangkok. It's from crop burning in Thailand and neighbouring countries. When does the government finally understand this? Unless there are no severe consequences for arsonists it'll continue forever. 

 

Bangkok is pollution caused by the number of vehicles the poor quality of vehicles and the lack of enforcement

 

LOL can you imgine ASEAN trying to set a policy and enforce it BUDDY HOLLY'S SONG COMES TO MIND

 

THAT'LL BE THE DAY

[Upnotover]

18 minutes ago, Beerzy65 said:

Doesn't include buses as paid ฿15 last night

Was it electric?

[josephbloggs]

3 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

Bangkok is pollution caused by the number of vehicles the poor quality of vehicles and the lack of enforcement

 

This is completely untrue. If ithat were the case then the air pollution would be this bad all year round, yet it isn't.

[tomazbodner]

At 10 am, MRT blue line from Hualumpong to Chatuchak park broke down. Unsure if it's fixed by now, but if you are going from south to north, from Hualumpong towards Bang Sue, it might not be running.

[kingstonkid]

3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

This is completely untrue. If ithat were the case then the air pollution would be this bad all year round, yet it isn't.

 

 

There is always a problem it is just ath this time of year it gets worse and yes part of it is farmers  but you are never going to get a Laos farmer to stop setting fire because it upsets thai's

But normally we have wind I agree that there are times it gets worse but the main problem all year round is teh traffic.  If you go to  NANA BTS and sit under the station, you will see what I mean.  It is the sme at any stationthat has high buildings on either side. 

[spidermike007]

It not only is symptomatic of an astonishing degree of sloth and indifference, but it is also very telling in regard to a complete misunderstanding of the severity of the problem and effective ways to address.

 

It exactly what I would expect from our current ivory tower brand of leadership. Pita would have been so much better for the nation, the Thai people and the potential for a better future. 

[RandolphGB]

Thais: 'Stop the air pollution!!!'

 

Sensible people: Ok, sure, stop fueling the food demand by constantly adding sugar to meals, drinking bubble tea, eating sweets, ice creams and endless processed stuff from 7-Eleven. Oh, and also pay higher taxes and prices for food to enforce laws and subsidize farmers who will lose out with less profitable but cleaner methods of crop rotation. While you're at it, establish a political union with the poorer neighbouring countries to subsidize their farmers to do the same. 

 

Thais: .......*silence* ....*looks confused*.... *grunts*... 'Stupid farang!'

 

 

[CM Dad]

7 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Its not cars and trucks alone. Its burning. Stop the burning.

As usual, the government addresses the result, smoke, not the cause, burning.  Therefore, the air pollution problem will never be solved.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

24 minutes ago, CLW said:

The majority of the air pollution isn't created from cars in Bangkok. It's from crop burning in Thailand and neighbouring countries. When does the government finally understand this? Unless there are no severe consequences for arsonists it'll continue forever. 

 

And AFAICT, the OP article doesnt even make any mention of agricultural burning as the main cause of this annual, seasonal air pollution debacle in Thailand.

 

That kinda tells you everything anyone needs to know about how keen the authorities here are to AVOID addressing the true main cause of what's going on, year after year after year!

 

 

[FarangFB]

27 minutes ago, CLW said:

The majority of the air pollution isn't created from cars in Bangkok. It's from crop burning in Thailand and neighbouring countries. When does the government finally understand this? Unless there are no severe consequences for arsonists it'll continue forever. 

 

Everyone know this. But these "arsonists" are not simple farmers you can simply fine them to stop. They're suppliers to billionaire industries that will lose big money if this burning stops. And every government knows well that is not a good idea to upset billionaires.