Activities summary

Challenges specific to Thailand

The Thai Government has pledged a 20 per cent reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 – 25 per cent with international support. One third is attributed to the transport sector.

GHG emissions from transport are currenlty rapidly increasing, air pollution in Thai cities is dramatically rising, and traffic congestion causes losses in productivity.

The two major challenges for a shift towards sustainable transport in Thai cities are: a low-quality public transport service based on old vehicles with high specific emissions (25 years on average) and a rapid increase in private motorisation (300,000 new vehicles). Additionally, city administrations lack financial and technical capacities as well as general knowledge on Sustainable Urban Transport.

Support from MobiliseYourCity partners

With the support of GIZ, Thailand is setting up a NUMP which is called the Thai Clean Mobility Programme. This support is offered through TRANSfer III. The programme addresses the two major challenges for a shift towards sustainable transport in Thai cities: a low-quality public transport service based on old vehicles with high specific emissions and a rapid increase in private motorisation. The programme will help reduce air pollution from vehicles via pricing incentives, and using this money as one source of the fund to foster sustainable transport.

Expected results

• Increased appeal of public transport through
  • bus modernization: Electrifying the public transport fleet in Thai cities
  • Improved connectivity
  • Reduced fares
  • Improved technology
• Disincentivised car travel by internalising costs and environmental externalities through a Con-gestion Charge which will feed into a Public Transport Fund
• Establishment of a Sustainable Transport Fund
• Replication of projects in Bangkok in other Thai cities

Achievements and results

A baseline study was carried out to define the measures of the TCMP. The TCMP concept was finalized and impacts assessed. Currently the project works on a more detailed design for piloting TCMP in Bangkok.