File photo for reference only

 

The Thai government is under fire for spending 140 million baht on free public transport in Bangkok for a week, a measure intended to curb air pollution. Critics argue the plan doesn’t address the root causes of the city's haze crisis.

 

Announced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the initiative launched on Saturday, January 25, aims to reduce PM2.5 particle levels by encouraging commuters to ditch their cars and use public transport. This includes free rides on buses and electric trains. Key operators like the Bangkok Transit System and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority are participating.

 

However, not everyone is convinced. On Facebook, Bhumjaithai MP Korrawee Prissananantakul criticized the plan as "ineffective," stating it assumes drivers will switch to public transport, which he called "easier said than done."

 

"The government is spending taxpayers’ money on Bangkok's problem. What about other provinces suffering the same pollution?" he questioned.

 

 

Environmental experts also voiced their opinions. Jessada Denduangboripant from Chulalongkorn University suggested that the budget could provide air purifiers for schools. Marine ecosystem expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat criticized the delayed government action, saying, "We’ve been dealing with this pollution for weeks."

 

Despite the criticism, the free transport initiative drew a 45% increase in electric train passengers on its first day, with the BTS Green Line reporting 857,878 trips—a 46% rise.

 

The debate continues over whether measures like free public transport can effectively address Bangkok's air quality crisis or if they represent a misuse of taxpayer money on short-term solutions.

 

-- 2025-01-28

 

 

I used the MRT and BTS twice this week instead of the NMAX to get some free rides.

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Critics argue the plan doesn’t address the root causes of the city's haze crisis.

Critics = taxi and tuktuk drivers!

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai government is under fire for spending 140 million baht on free public transport in Bangkok for a week, a measure intended to curb air pollution. Critics argue the plan doesn’t address the root causes of the city's haze crisis.

They don't know what to do... just paper over the cracks like everything else

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Despite the criticism, the free transport initiative drew a 45% increase in electric train passengers on its first day, with the BTS Green Line reporting 857,878 trips—a 46% rise.

They do not say if it reduced congestion though. I would guess that the majority of free riders do not own a vehicle or drive it daily on the streets. 

It is quite difficult to ask a car owner to stop driving and instead wait in long lines and stand on crowded trains to get to work. 

 

Totally useless, did more harm than good, money could have been better spent on just about anything else to curb air pollution.