Plan to ban 10-wheel trucks from Bangkok streets shelved
A proposal to prohibit trucks with more than 10 wheels from running in Bangkok areas, in a bid to reduce PM2.5 air pollution, will be postponed indefinitely to avoid causing an impact on the industrial and transportation sectors.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau had earlier proposed to implement the rule from December 1-28.
“The police have discussed with related agencies, including the Department of Industrial Promotion, Pollution Control Department, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Public Transport Association, and agreed to postpone the rule indefinitely,” Deputy National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittipraphas said on Thursday.
“The members at the meeting were concerned that the rule could obstruct the operation of the industrial and transportation sectors that are starting to recover from the economic contraction,” he said. “Therefore, the related agencies promised to study the issue thoroughly as well as explore other options to prevent and reduce PM2.5 air pollution in Bangkok.”
Damrongsak added that from December 1, police nationwide would more stringently inspect and enforce the law against large vehicles that emit black smoke and are one of the causes of the air pollution problem.
“We will send officers to perform random checks at bus terminals and truck operation centres. The inspection will be recorded via video camera to ensure transparency of police work,” he added.
