Get tough on diesel, vehicle numbers to tackle smog, experts urge

[webfact 35,658]

Get tough on diesel, vehicle numbers to tackle smog, experts urge

By WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

 

THE SEVERITY of Bangkok’s air pollution suggests that the national government’s pursuit of a “low-carbon economy” has fallen short of needs, say experts, who recommend higher taxes on “dirty fuel” and a reduction in the number of vehicles on city streets.
 

Like other countries, Thailand has incorporated the low-carbon economy model in policies, aiming for sustainable development and better public health. 

 

The Finance Ministry has already introduced excise taxes on vehicles that vary with emission levels and successive governments have endorsed railway projects such as the mass transit system in Bangkok. The Energy Ministry plans to use more renewable-energy fuels to produce electricity in place of natural gas and coal.

 

Praipol Koomsup, an economist specialising in energy issues, said the high level of air pollution in Bangkok indicates that that the country has not yet done enough to make the low-carbon economy a reality. 

 

One of several key contributors to the pollution problem is the estimated 2.5 million diesel-powered trucks and buses still on city roads. Diesel engines produce a significant amount of the PM2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter – currently putting health at risk in Bangkok. 

 

Praipol backs the idea of government subsidies for people willing to buy electric vehicles, the cost of which remains high.

 

“The government plans to increase the amount of renewable fuel for producing electricity from about 10 per cent to 20 per cent in the next 20 years. That is our target and we need to do a lot to achieve it,” he said. 

 

Thanawat Polvichai, director of the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, estimated that the air pollution could cost Bangkok businesses Bt5 billion to Bt10 billion because, among other issues, no one wants to linger at open-air food stalls. 

 

But Thanawat expects the crisis’ impact on the overall economy to be short-lived. 

 

Speaking at a recent Thailand Development Research Institute seminar on “air pollution as a negative impact of development”, Adis Israngkura, an economist involved in national resources and the environment, urged the government to raise the tax ante. 

It should review the excise tax system and make it clear to people that pollution will be taxed heavily to discourage the use of dirty fuels such as diesel. 

 

Cities need to be reorganised

 

The current tax rate on diesel fuel doesn’t reflect the serious impact of air pollution, Adis said, advocating a higher annual road tax on ageing vehicles as well because their engines’ efficiency degrades over time and they cause more pollution.

 

Adis believes the government is on the right track with its policies on sustainable development, but it needs to do more. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chairs a committee overseeing the effort, he noted, but “Prayut could take more action”. 

 

Chamnong Sorapipatana, chairman of the energy division at the Asian Transportation Research Society, noted that construction of the mass-transit rail system in itself causes traffic jams, adding to pollution. 

 

Construction work should be done at night, he said, or suspended until the middle of March when weather conditions aren’t trapping pollution over the city. After winter, the upper air will be cooler, allowing the pollution to rise and escape, Chamnong said. 

 

But in the long run, Bangkok and other cities need more green spaces and should be reorganised to lessen travel distances, he added. 

 

Sumet Ongkittikul, a research director at the TDRI engaged in transportation and logistics policy, said the government should limit the number of cars in Bangkok. It has moved too slowly on this, he said, in the hope that more people will voluntarily begin using public transport once the new rail lines are completed in Bangkok in three to five years. 

 

Sumet pointed out, though, that other countries have found people do not switch to public transit without some prodding.

Increasing the cost of owning a car would be one incentive. Singapore limits vehicle numbers by auctioning off licence plates and imposes high fees for allowing access to restricted areas. Hong Kong and London also impose tough rules on car owners, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/business/30362598

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-21

[Bob12345 4,769]

None of the solutions are popular, so they will do nothing to make sure the little general can stay in office as long as he pleases as he isn't rich enough yet.

[mok199 7,249]

Today a mini van backed up to the front door of my condo( p/u golfers )as I waxed my scooter, I asked him to shut off his diesel engine , he refused , I asked again , and again he refused , it almost came to blows...Saddly lawlessness,defyance,disrespect and shamlessness will never allow this country to grow and improve...the air will only get worse..

Edited January 21 by mok199

[fruitman 4,554]

8 minutes ago, mok199 said:

Today a mini van backed up to the front door of my condo( p/u golfers )as I waxed my scooter, I asked him to shut off his diesel engine , he refused , I asked again , and again he refused , it almost came to blows...Defyance,disrespect and shamlessness will never allow this country to grow and improve...

Mini-vans cause a lot of congestion, accidents and frustration on the roads...and they transport thailands most uneducated employee's which are not needed at all....Do they really need soo many salespeople/assistants in their shops/malls? In the West they can do the same job with 25% of the staff working...

[kannot 16,461]

no  way  will all the pick  up manufacturers and Farmers/rural  Thais  like  that, Thailand also does  not  have dpf  filters  in many of their  pick ups  as  I found  out when recently buying one

[kannot 16,461]

19 minutes ago, mok199 said:

Today a mini van backed up to the front door of my condo( p/u golfers )as I waxed my scooter, I asked him to shut off his diesel engine , he refused , I asked again , and again he refused , it almost came to blows...Saddly lawlessness,defyance,disrespect and shamlessness will never allow this country to grow and improve...the air will only get worse..

is it a  rule he has too? Ill sit  in the car/pick up with it  running  just to keep  cool

[mok199 7,249]

Just now, fruitman said:

Mini-vans cause a lot of congestion, accidents and frustration on the roads...and they transport thailands most uneducated employee's which are not needed at all....Do they really need soo many salespeople/assistants in their shops/malls? In the West they can do the same job with 25% of the staff working...

Mini vans are truly the bullies of the roads, but saying that,many drivers are great and many vans are essential in connecting small villages , we have a home in Nong Hong ( Burriram ) accessed only by mini van.if you have ever been to Mo Chit you will see the number of vans that run around Thailand, 24/7 , not hard to understand why so many drivers suffer from fatigue and poor skills..Its war out their ,keep your head up!!

[kannot 16,461]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Sumet pointed out, though, that other countries have found people do not switch to public transit without some prodding.

stick more bloody  carriages  on the BTS , room for another two at least,its  packed  full almost  all of the time.

[kannot 16,461]

in a few  weeks  when its  not as  bad  all will be forgotten...........

[robblok 28,444]

22 minutes ago, mok199 said:

Today a mini van backed up to the front door of my condo( p/u golfers )as I waxed my scooter, I asked him to shut off his diesel engine , he refused , I asked again , and again he refused , it almost came to blows...Saddly lawlessness,defyance,disrespect and shamlessness will never allow this country to grow and improve...the air will only get worse..

wow you getting to blows about something that minor. 

[hotchilli 2,273]

Thailand talks the talk but cannot implement any tough pollution measures... 

It's toothless when it comes to changing peoples lives or the way companies operate.

They are afraid to close down or ban anything that pollutes or changes the way of daily life for it's workers or bosses.

Higher taxes are irrelevant, people will just pay the price of fuel & pass on the increase.

Better to set a time line & say it will be banned !!

 

Four things they need to get on top of which will have an immediate effect.

1: Any vehicle type with emissions over a certain level... it's off the road!

2: Any company emitting pollutants of any description over a safe level... close it down!

3: Agricultural burning.. banned!
4: Construction sites, strictly regulated for all types of particulate pollution.

Start with these four issues then see what else needs to be done.

But yes I know I'm dreaming... all the above are asking too much 
I'm off to buy some more face masks... the Thai cheap option!!

[HappyinNE 128]

Need to inspect emissions coming from vehicles and fix or remove violators.  Works in other places but I doubt Thailand would enforce it and make it worthwhile.

[mok199 7,249]

10 minutes ago, kannot said:

is it a  rule he has too? Ill sit  in the car/pick up with it  running  just to keep  cool

Yes we all run our engines to keep cool , but I think courtesy and common sence should prevail,its like a fart , some places its just not appropriate...unless their is a dog close by to blame it on..

Edited January 21 by mok199

[rgraham 162]

Pay no mind to the millions of two-stroke motor bikes!

[unamazedloso 419]

Do i have to get tough cuz nonone else will. That said its the same dam traffic. The addition of sugarcane burning season is the reason its out of control. Why not fine them. Oh maybe because pollution causes brain damage and we cant have intelligent citizen's!!!!

Hmm, its all now starting to make sense.. Dam I shouldnt have worn a mask. I hear ignorance is bliss!