The Transport Ministry’s proposal to implement congestion charges for drivers on heavily trafficked roads in Bangkok has sparked renewed debate.
This initiative seeks to alleviate traffic congestion by incentivizing motorists to leave their vehicles at home and opt for public transportation. The collected fees will fund a 20-baht flat-rate fare for the city’s electric trains, enhancing affordability and access. The ministry plans a six to twelve-month feasibility study of the proposal.
The Bangkok Post consulted with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), urban planning experts, consumer rights advocates, law enforcement, and road users to assess whether this measure could effectively reduce traffic congestion and if Bangkok’s mass transit system is adequately developed to support such a shift.
Data Collection for the Study
According to OTP’s director-general, Panya Chupanich, a pre-feasibility study was conducted from 2019 to 2022 in conjunction with the German development agency GIZ. With support from the UK Pact (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions), a consultant will be chosen to continue the study, with an announcement expected in December and a comprehensive study projected to conclude within two years.
Mr. Panya noted the study targets inner-city regions covering 107 square kilometers, including areas like Klong Toey, Phaya Thai, Dusit, Din Daeng, and Sathon. The study will assess whether a fee estimated at 45-50 baht can decrease the number of private vehicles and identify potential beneficiaries. Cameras will be set up in specific zones to document license plate numbers.
He shared daily traffic volumes at six major intersections: 83,368 at Sathon-Narathiwat, 68,473 at Pratunam, 62,453 at Pathumwan, 62,453 at Silom-Narathiwat, 60,112 at Phetchaburi-Thong Lor, and 56,235 at Ratchaprasong.
Mr. Panya pointed out that congestion charges are already in place in several cities worldwide, including London, where they initially faced criticism but eventually gained acceptance. Milan has implemented similar measures to manage vehicle numbers and reduce air pollution.
“We’ll initially focus on areas near the electric train system to provide alternatives. Generated revenue will also support feeder services like buses and song thaews, not just electric trains,” he stated. He added that residents within the designated areas may receive discounts or be exempt from congestion fees.
Learning from Global Examples
Assoc. Prof. Panit Pujinda, head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Chulalongkorn University, noted that similar measures have been successful in major cities worldwide, where modest fees are charged to achieve clear objectives: reducing traffic congestion and addressing pollution.
He mentioned New York City’s interest in this approach as a means to generate revenue for its aging subway system. Singapore aims to reduce traffic gridlock through clear flow targets, collecting data every six months to assess progress and adjust fees as necessary.
Assoc. Prof. Panit distinguished the Transport Ministry’s aim from others around the globe, emphasizing that the primary focus is to use congestion charging to subsidize mass transit fares rather than to primarily address traffic congestion or pollution. Nonetheless, he expressed concerns regarding the practicality of this approach, given that Thai commuters often experience the “first-mile and last-mile problem.” Many rely on motorcycle taxis or regular taxis to commute to public transport hubs.
He urged the government to progressively develop commercial spaces around train stations and collect additional taxes from those benefiting from that development before resorting to congestion charges, should the earlier measures fail to generate enough revenue to subsidize the 20-baht fares.
Importance of Feeder Services
Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), highlighted the need to improve bus services to effectively serve as the primary feeders for the electric train system. She criticized the current public bus services as insufficient and suggested reallocating the 34 billion baht earmarked for the expressway’s second phase to enhance bus services.
Saree advocated for redesigning bus routes to connect better with electric train systems while also utilizing passenger vans and song thaews to bolster the feeder network. She emphasized the necessity of developing an urban plan alongside a comprehensive public transport system.
“Bangkok should invest vehicle registration tax revenues in offering free bus services. If realized, over 50% of people might choose to leave their cars and use the rail system,” she suggested.
Regarding the government’s intention to buy back electric train systems, she called for a thorough review of financial and maintenance records to ensure transparency and prevent public suspicion that taxpayer funds are being used to subsidize loss-making operators.
Environmental Considerations
Saree urged the government to demonstrate how its initiatives address climate change challenges. This transparency could raise public awareness and encourage reduced vehicle use. Referring to health impacts from PM 2.5 dust pollution, she noted that around 10 million people fell ill last year, costing the government approximately 7 billion baht in healthcare expenses—a cycle likely to recur unless effective measures
