Bangkok continues to mull out options to become green

BANGKOK- Let’s be frank about: over the 15 years, pollution in Bangkok seriously decreased. Anyone who used to visit the capital at the end of the nineties would certainly remember old busses spitting heavy clouds of dark fume, traffic policemen moving with masks on their face while thick smoke could often be observed. Worth of it was the smell of car pollution impregnating clothes and the skin just after an hour walk. 

Well, pollution still exists of course as more cars can be seen in the streets of the Thai capital. But a combination of expanding public transport and cleaner cars has helped reducing the level of pollution of the metropolis. The last Pollution Index published by the website Numbeo shows that Bangkok ranks only 74 among the top 100 most polluted cities far away behind Jakarta (rank 5) and Manila (rank 29). But more is to be implemented to further reduce air pollution levels. 

In the middle of the year, Bangkok extended its test of free bike rentals, the “Pun Pun Bike”scheme. First concentrated between Siam Square and Silom, the bike scheme is now available on Sukhumvit Road and up to Rattanakosin Island. First opened with 12 stations, the bike scheme has now 50 stations? Some 100 stations are planned around town. 

And now a new idea is also emerging. Owners of vehicles more than 10 years old could be subject to a hefty increase in registration fees under a proposal from Bangkok Metropolitan police department to relieve traffic congestion. The plan is aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city. In parallel to heavier taxes, the city also plans to introduce an electronic fine system for traffic law violations, and set up a Bangkok traffic court.

More measures could be adopted to further curb cars’ traffic. Such as reducing parking spaces in town, a measure already taken in many cities around the world such as London or Paris. And increase the availability of public transport. Bangkok is now embarked into the construction of at least two new MRT/train lines. But more needs to be now done such as offering a unique ticket to facilitate the use of all public transport (they are three different operators for trains in town) but also for the various busses circulating around the metropolis.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews