The Future of Thailand’s Sustainable Clean Mobility

TRANSfer Project Closing Event

BANGKOK, 26 September 2022 – the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH celebrate their successful collaboration in Thailand’s Sustainable Clean Mobility under the implementation of the Facilitating the development of ambitious transport mitigation actions (TRANSfer) project. Over the past five years, OTP and the TRANSfer-Thailand project have jointly engaged with many related agencies to explore alternative solutions for solving the most enduring urban transport issues, i.e., emission mitigation, traffic congestion, and public transport service improvement.

Thailand Clean Mobility Programme (TCMP) has been designed to not only solve persistent transportation problems, but also propose sustainable solutions for alleviating the adverse impacts from PM_2.5 air pollution and thereby reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions in line with the Thai government’s intentions to reduce 20 % GHG emissions by 2030. The creation of the TCMP focuses on three topics, including the pre-assessment of a congestion charge scheme development for Bangkok , bus fleet modernization, together with the establishment of a Clean Mobility Fund.

To fight climate change, Thailand is keeping up its development of public transport such as the expansion of the metro lines in Bangkok, and the use of public transportation by improving and transforming internal combustion engine buses to electric vehicles. Thailand is aiming to reduce 31MtCO₂ of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to achieve its transport Nationally determined contribution (NDC) target in 2030. During COP 26 in Glasgow, United Kingdom, Thailand expressed an even higher ambition to fight climate change in aiming to reach carbon neutrality in 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065. With adequate, timely and equitable support, through technology transfer and cooperation and, most importantly, the availability of and access to ample green financing facilities, Thailand can increase the NDC target to 40% and sooner reach carbon neutrality and net zero emission goals.

Mr. Chayatan Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary General, Ministry of Transport

Even though the TRANSfer project has come to the final chapter, we still continue our ambition to reduce GHG emissions. As well, we will continue the legacy of the TRANSfer project to improve better transportation such as the study of the congestion charge scheme possibility and suitability for Bangkok and find a solution to create the Clean Mobility Fund for public transportation improvement. I believe that what we are doing in TRANSfer will create a lot of impacts in part of reducing emissions and creating sustainable transportation. We still continue working with GIZ for other upcoming projects such as the update of the NDC Action Plan for the transport sector and introducing pathways for optimizing vehicle efficiency and zero-emission vehicle.

Mr. Punya Chupanit, Director General, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning

Electric mobility is an essential driver to decarbonization in the transport sector, and it also plays a pivotal role in the 160-years of cooperation between Germany and Thailand. Whilst the EV market starts to bloom globally including Thailand, local governments should consider the investment and business models for fleet electrification, necessary charging infrastructures, as well as skill labor development. A climate finance and international cooperation can play a crucial role on the future of electric mobility in Thailand.

Mr. Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Thailand

The pre-feasibility study of the TCMP for Bangkok shows significant potential to reduce traffic congestion in the city, which could help to lower emissions from cars in high-density areas of investigated scenarios. Also, changes in network speeds and the use of public transportation modes within the study area range would be significantly increased. For public transport electrification, the financial evaluation suggests that the total cost of ownership of e-bus is 23% lower than that of a diesel bus mainly due to the difference between the fuel and electricity costs for its operation. By electrifying 3,200 NGV public bus in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, it could reduce 184,000 tCO₂/year. However, the subsidy or incentives program are indispensable to improve public transport services in long run.

The Facilitating the development of ambitious transport mitigation actions (TRANSfer) project  has been commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)  through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The objective of the project is to increase the efforts of developing countries and emerging economies to foster climate-friendly transport with international support. In Thailand, the TRANSfer project is supporting the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) in the development of the Thailand Clean Mobility Programme (TCMP) since 2017

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is owned by the German government and with operations around the globe. GIZ provides services in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ also works on behalf of other public and private sector clients both in Germany and overseas. These include the governments of other countries, the European Commission, the United Nations and other donor organisations. GIZ operates in more than 120 countries and employs approximately 24,000 staff worldwide. (As of 31 December 2021).

The TRANSfer project is implemented by GIZ and funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).