Bangkok's New Plan: Beat Traffic with a Congestion Charge

[snoop1130]

Traffic in Bangkok | Photo via ThaiResidents.com

 

In an effort to tackle chronic traffic jams and pollution in Bangkok, Thailand plans to introduce a congestion charge in six high-traffic areas of the city. Following successful implementations in cities like London and Milan, the charge aims to relieve gridlock, encourage public transport, and cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Motorists will have to pay a fee during peak hours, starting at 40 to 50 baht per vehicle, expected to increase every five years to reach 80 baht per vehicle. The initiative is projected to generate around 10 billion baht annually, with funds helping to maintain a 20-baht fare cap on certain train services.

 

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit backs the move, hoping it will lead to less congestion and cleaner air. According to a 2023 survey by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), the congestion charge will target the following areas due to their high traffic volumes:

 

 

1. Phetchaburi-Thonglor intersection: 60,112 vehicles daily
2. Silom-Naradhiwas intersection: 62,453 vehicles daily
3. Sathorn-Naradhiwas intersection: 83,368 vehicles daily
4. Pathumwan intersection: 62,453 vehicles daily
5. Ratchaprasong intersection: 56,235 vehicles daily
6. Pratunam intersection: 68,473 vehicles daily

 

For context, after London introduced a congestion charge in 2003, traffic reduced by 15%, bringing in 1.2 billion pounds (about 50.33 billion baht) and cutting carbon emissions by 16%. Milan saw similar benefits in 2012, with a 12% drop in traffic, a 48% increase in public transport use, and a 15% reduction in emissions.

 

Bangkok officials hope to see these positive results in the near future, creating a more sustainable and less congested city.

 

-- 2025-02-10

 

 

[KhunLA]

More taxes will solve everything ...

 

... and the band played on 

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In an effort to tackle chronic traffic jams and pollution in Bangkok, Thailand plans to introduce a congestion charge in six high-traffic areas of the city. Following successful implementations in cities like London and Milan, the charge aims to relieve gridlock, encourage public transport, and cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

A city that has more than 3 times it's capacity in residents and workers...

Infrastructure and transportation are the solution, not congestion charges.

[rwill]

Quite a burden for those making 300-500 baht/day.

 

How are they collecting the fee?  Setting up booths which would congest traffic even more.   Taking photos and mailing bills which would cost quite a bit and lots of unpaid bills?