File photo for reference only

 

The government has initiated a 90-day crackdown on vehicles emitting black smoke in an effort to combat rising PM2.5 pollution levels in Thailand, which pose significant health risks. Immediate actions include stricter vehicle inspections and increased penalties for non-compliance, with a focus on diesel-powered vehicles that contribute significantly to the pollution problem.

 

This initiative, launched on December 2, 2025, involves collaboration between the Pollution Control Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Department of Land Transport, and Traffic Police Division at Bangkok Port. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister, assigned Pol Lt Gen Ittiporn Pho Thong to oversee operations as Bangkok and surrounding areas are declared pollution control zones from November to March, a period typically experiencing reduced air circulation and heightened pollution levels.

 

The measures include lowering the allowed black smoke emission standard from 30% to a maximum of 20% from November 1, 2025. Authorities will implement 14 daily checkpoints in Bangkok and 16 in nearby areas, intensifying efforts in major cities in other provinces. Vehicles exceeding the smoke limit will be required to correct the issue within 15 days, down from the previous 30-day timeframe, or face fines up to 5,000 baht under environmental laws.

 

The initiative also aims to support vehicle owners with the Green List Plus program, in partnership with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and private companies. Car owners can receive discounts on engine checks, oil changes, and spare parts. Additional benefits include free parking at select malls, BTS transit vouchers, and discounted car insurance.

 

Between October 1 and November 30, 2025, authorities inspected 85,731 vehicles, stopping 656 for exceeding smoke limits. So far, 44% of these non-compliant vehicles have been repaired and compliant, while others face fines for not meeting legal deadlines, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways

• A 90-day crackdown aims to reduce black smoke emissions from vehicles to improve air quality.
• Stricter inspections and lower emission standards are being enforced across Bangkok and other key areas.
• The Green List Plus program offers vehicle owners discounts and additional benefits to encourage compliance.

 

Related Stories:

Bangkok Expands Low Emission Zones to Combat Air Pollution

Bangkok to Ban Trucks in "Low Emission " Zones Amid Pollution Rise

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-03

 

 

 

Barn door. Close. Horse. Left.

It will take max 1 week, after that business as usual.. seen it many times with all crackdowns already.. the RTP is never doing its job

What a joke Thailand is !!!    always  reactive     can not think ahead 

So they get a small fine of maximum 5000 and still dont do anything what then ? It needs to be a much larger fine and 7 days to effect a repair. I dont see what they can do about the super up small trucks we see beach out dock smoke every time they stick their foot down,crush them?

And why only now why not 365 days a year.  

This topic yet again. I saw a few vehicles yesterday emitting so much smoke, and I'll see a few more next week and the week after and after and after. 

And the non air-conditioned Bangkok Public buses with be first to comply.

 

How is the excessive noise from cars and motorbikes enforcement working here in Pattaya?  The intention is true, theatrics worthy of award and execution comical.

Deja Vu, I swore I heard this same spiel every year since I got here.

Perhaps they should start at vehicle testing stations, where everything seems to pass..............🤫

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Perhaps they should start at vehicle testing stations, where everything seems to pass..............🤫

Everything in Thailand is a Pass  from this to kids at schools  it called loss of face 

1 hour ago, Hardcastle P said:

So they get a small fine of maximum 5000 and still dont do anything what then ? It needs to be a much larger fine and 7 days to effect a repair. I dont see what they can do about the super up small trucks we see beach out dock smoke every time they stick their foot down,crush them?

And why only now why not 365 days a year.  

The thing with fines in Thailand is that if they are too high, then it attracts corruption in form of a reduced settlement and a torn up ticket.  

QUOTE: "crackdown on vehicles emitting black smoke...."

 

I wish I had 100Baht for every "crackdown on vehicles emitting black smoke".

 

Waste of time because the process / the punishment is a total joke and produces nothing. 

 

I stayed in RAM, just inside Soi 23 several times every month for many years. Walk out to Ram Rd., (1 minute walk), big build up of  traffic, all stopped at red lights, many buses and trucks all spewing out large amounts ofblack smoke. Meantime the shops staff and street vendors are breathing in massive amounts of black smoke, many times every day. Nothing ever changes.