Congestion Charge for Bangkok Motorists Backed by Governor

In an effort to ease traffic congestion in central Bangkok and fund cheaper and more accessible public transportation in the city, the government has proposed plans to implement a congestion charge. The plan is to impose a fee of 40 to 50 THB on all motorists entering central Bangkok’s streets.

This traffic fee plan has now been backed by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, but it still needs other official approvals to come into effect.

What is a Congestion Charge in Bangkok?

The congestion charge is a fee all motorists who drive into central Bangkok will be required to pay. With the goal of encouraging people to use public transport and avoid driving private vehicles in high-traffic areas, the congestion charge’s concept is similar to those successfully implemented in cities such as London and Singapore.

The congestion charge in Thailand is said to range between 40 and 50 THB per vehicle and, according to the government, the revenue earned will be used to support Bangkok’s electric train system and ensure that the electric train fares remain affordable at a flat rate of 20 THB.

At present, the plan includes a rate hike after the first five years, increasing the fee to 80 baht per vehicle.

The proposed targeted areas, according to Thailand’s Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, include Sukhumvit in Bangkok’s Central Business District (CBD), Silom, and Ratchada. These areas were selected to charge the congestion fee as they frequently see high traffic, and have extensive public transportation options available including the BTS and MRT.

What is the Purpose of the Congestion Charge?

Other than to support Bangkok’s electric train system, the congestion charge was designed with several goals in mind such as:

• Reducing Traffic in Central Bangkok: The congestion charge will hopefully ease the heavy traffic in central Bangkok and discourage all unnecessary use of vehicles in the area, which will then lead to less crowded and safer streets and faster traveling for those who use vehicles for purposes such as commuting.
• Funding Public Transport: As mentioned before, the revenue generated from the congestion charge will be used to support Bangkok’s electric train system and ensure that the electric train fares sit at a flat rate of 20 THB. This will help those who use the electric train system to travel far distances save money, as the fares currently range between 14 and 62 THB depending on the railway operator and travel distance. Improvements to Bangkok’s bus network have also been proposed as beneficiaries of this fee.
• Reducing Air Pollution in Bangkok: With fewer vehicles on the road, the environment will benefit from fewer emissions, which will help address and improve Bangkok’s unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Concerns Regarding the Implementation of the Bangkok Congestion Charge

Despite having such clear goals, many have expressed their uncertainty about the implementation of the congestion charge, as it could greatly affect low-income residents and cause traffic issues in areas previously known for not having high traffic if it is not done fairly and effectively. Opponents of the planned charge have raised several concerns:

• Public Transport Accessibility Issues: Unfortunately, not all residents of Bangkok have easy access to public transport. For those who live in areas or neighborhoods poorly served by buses or trains, the congestion charge may feel like an unfair penalty. To resolve this, the government will need to expand public transport services before the fee goes into effect.
• Traffic Diversion: There is a possibility that motorists will avoid the congestion charge by diverting to roads outside the congestion zone, which could potentially cause traffic problems in areas not designed to accommodate that many vehicles.
• Technology and Enforcement Costs: For the congestion charge to successfully come into effect, technology to track vehicles and collect the fees will be required. Without proper infrastructure and preparation, there could be challenges in enforcing the congestion charge and preventing motorists from evading it altogether.
• Undue Burden on Lower-Income Households: Critics argue, and the government agrees, that exemptions must be carved out in certain situations. Those from low-income areas commuting or taking children to school in the planned fee areas should be exempt or get a discount, otherwise the increased expenses could lead to more economic troubles.

With all of these concerns, it is understandable why the congestion charge has been in discussion for several years and has never been implemented, according to Samart Ratchapolsitte, former deputy Bangkok governor.

The goal of making Bangkok cleaner, safer, and easier to navigate with more public transportation is a noble one, but it remains to be seen if officials can agree on an implementation plan.

Category: Administrative Law