Thailand pilots 'green transport' to combat air pollution in Bangkok

By VNA January 26, 2025 | 03:35 am PT

Air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by AFP

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered free public transport in Bangkok for one week, starting on Feb. 25, in a move to deal with the alarming air pollution in the capital city.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the decision was made after Bangkok was ranked as the fourth worst city in the world for air quality according to the latest data from Swiss-based IQAir on Jan. 24.

From Jan. 25 to 31, people will be given free services on buses and electric trains within the capital, said Suriya.

The Thai government will allocate about 140 million THB ($4.1 million) from the central budget to offset the costs of transport units, including Bangkok Transit System Plc (BTS), Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company (BEM) and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

In addition, the government has also set up eight checkpoints to monitor vehicle emissions. Suriya expects the number of passengers using public transport to increase by 20-30% during this period. If the pollution situation does not improve after the seven-day period, the government will consider extending the initiative, he added.