In October 2024, Thailand's Ministry of Transport announced plans to implement congestion pricing on drivers entering roads in inner Bangkok. [1] [2] [3] Bangkok is among the most congested cities in the world, with navigation-device maker TomTom NV's 2019 global congestion index ranking it 11th. [4] In 2023, Bangkok was ranked 46th on the global congestion index. [5] The city also experiences high levels of air pollution. [5]
In 1971, the World Bank-funded Bangkok Transportation Study proposed restriction on vehicle usage and ownership, but was not implemented. [6]
This fee was most recently proposed in 2022, following a pre-feasibility study that lasted from 2019 to 2022 in conjunction with German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and Thai transport authorities. [7] [8] [9] The study proposed charging fees ranging from 50 to 120 baht across various city zones. [7]
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit proposed a 40-50 baht congestion charge to fund a 20 baht maximum flat fare for all electric rail lines in the greater Bangkok region. [1] [10] Juangroongruangkit suggested the pricing scheme would be modeled after successful programs in other cities, including London. [1] Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt announced his support for the proposal, and advocated for an expansion of the city's rail and bus network. [11] The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is analyzing similar schemes in other cities. [12]
The charge is planned for roads with electric rail lines, including Sukhumvit, Silom, and Ratchadaphisek roads. [1] The ministry plans to spend six months to a year to conduct a study of the plan, expected to be completed by mid-2025. [1] [13] [14]
The People's Party, Thailand's main opposition party, opposes the government's congestion pricing plan, advocating instead for prioritizing building a comprehensive public transport network. [15] People's Party MP Surachet Praweewongwut argued that argued that the current transport system is not adequate in terms of convincing motorists to switch to transit. [15]
On 24 October 2024, People's Party MP for Bangkok Suphanat Meenchainan suggested the government should prioritize public bus networks, rather than congestion fees that would benefit private train operators. [16] He also questioned if the Ministry of Transport would be able to reform the mass transit system within the promised six months. [16] Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote responded that the ministry is working to increase accountability, adding the fee would not benefit investors or businesses. [16]