Bangkok: Bangkok revealed after declaring the area as a low pollution zone, the dust value is 15.6% lower than outside the zone, while 6-wheel vehicles decreased by 12%, averaging 2,982 vehicles per day. They are about to take action against 6-wheel vehicles outside the Green List that enter the LEZ zone. They urged business operators to inspect the condition of their vehicles to reduce PM2.5 in Bangkok.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pornprom Vikitset, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok and Executive of Sustainability of Bangkok, revealed the implementation of Low Emission Zone (LEZ) measures in Bangkok to jointly reduce air pollution, reduce the impact on public health, and create participation in engine maintenance and promote the use of clean energy in urban areas. The announcement of the Low Emission Zone prohibits vehicles with 6 wheels or more, except EV, NGV, EURO 5-6 and vehicles not registered on the Green List, from entering the Ratchadaphisek Ring Road area under the specified criteria and conditions, which was announced on January 21, 2025, effective from January 23, 2025 at 00.01 hrs. to January 24, 2025 at 23.59 hrs. due to high dust affecting public health.
In terms of the results of the low pollution zone or LEZ measures, there will be a difference in dust values between the LEZ and the remaining areas. The PM2.5 dust values of the LEZ area have decreased compared to the remaining areas after the measures were announced. The LEZ area normally has lower dust values than the outer areas because it is an urban area and is less affected by biomass burning outside Bangkok than other areas. The main source of dust in this area is the transportation sector. After the measures were announced, it was found that the LEZ area originally had dust values that were 7.6% lower than the remaining areas. On the day of the announcement, the LEZ area had dust values that were 15.6% lower than the remaining areas, or an increase of 105%. The number of vehicles with 6 wheels or more entering the LEZ area decreased by 12% before the measures were announced. It was found that there were an average of 3,386 6-wheel vehicles entering the LEZ per day. After the announcement, it was foun d that there were an average of 2,982 6-wheel vehicles entering the LEZ per day. This means that the announcement reduced the number of trucks by an average of 404 vehicles per day, or 12%. Currently, there are 38,408 vehicles registered on the Green List. If the number of vehicles on the Green List is combined with the number of vehicles under the Dust Reduction Vehicle Project, which is 260,752 vehicles, it means that Bangkok has requested cooperation from 299,160 vehicles to change their engine oil and filters. Research has found that this reduces PM2.5 emissions by vehicles by 50%, equivalent to a reduction of 0.89 kilograms per year, which is 14.96% of the traffic sector.
Entrepreneurs can register for a Green List to continuously reduce air pollution in Bangkok by bringing vehicles with 6 wheels or more to undergo maintenance processes, such as changing engine oil and changing filters. Then, fill in information and attach proof of maintenance, such as receipts, via the Google Form 'Green List Form' at https://u.bangkok.go.th/GreenList to request an exemption from the low-pollution zone measures in the Bangkok area.
Bangkok will use CCTV cameras in the area to detect license plates and use AI to read license plates to match them with license plates on the Green List. If a vehicle that is not exempt enters the area during the period of the ban, evidence will be sent for prosecution. Violators will be subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 month or a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht, or both. If it is discovered that the vehicle is providing services at a construction project, the vehicle will be tracked down to the construction project to warn it and, in the future, may be ordered to stop construction.
For the area enforcing the Low Pollution Zone (LEZ) measures in the Ratchadaphisek Ring Road area, which is inside the road, there are 9 districts: Dusit District, Phaya Thai District, Phra Nakhon District, Pom Prap Sattru Phai District. Samphanthawong, Khlong San, Sathon, Pathum Wan and Bang Rak Districts and roads through 13 districts (31 sub-districts), namely Bang Sue District (Wong Sawang), Chatuchak District (Chatuchak / Lat Yao / Chandrakasem / Chom Phon), Huai Khwang District (Huai Khwang / Samsen Nok / Bang Kapi), Din Daeng District (Din Daeng / Ratchadaphisek), Ratchathewi District (Makkasan), Watthana District (Khlong Toei Nuea), Khlong Toei District (Khlong Toei), Yannawa District (Chong Nonsi / Bang Phong Phang), Bang Kho Laem District (Bang Kho Laem / Bang Khlo), Thon Buri District (Dao Khanong / Samre / Bukkhalo / Talat Phlu), Bangkok Yai District (Wat Tha Phra), Bangkok Noi District (Bang Khun Non / Arun Amarin / Bang Khun Si / Ban Chang Lor / Siriraj) and Bang Phlat District (Bang Phlat / Ban g Bamru / Bang O / Bang Yi Khan). For more information, please contact the Air and Noise Quality Management Division.