Seven political parties recently presented their various environmental policies for Bangkok and the rest of the country to Thai PBS.
Professor Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, of the Palang Pracharath Party, said that environmental policies are part of their“security” plans, including energy and food security and security of the quality of life, as every policy must take into account the impact on the environment.
For Bangkok, there is are myriad environmental problems, from garbage and flooding to water and air pollution, said Dr. Narumon, adding that there must be a master plan to address all the problems at their roots.
Citing PM2.5 pollution, she said someone suggested internal combustion powered vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) will help solve the problem. The air pollution cannot, however, be resolved by just switching to EVs, because there are other factors which contribute to air pollution, such as industry and the behaviour of the consumers.
Dr. Decharut Sukkumnoed, of the Move Forward Party, emphasised the lack of or insufficient early warning systems for natural disasters, such as flooding, drought and even air pollution.
He said that more funding should be directed to local administrative bodies, to equip them with technology and knowledge and links to the existing early warning system, so that they disseminate information to the public.
Citing the recent flooding in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, Dr. Detrat said that these provinces need to be equipped with early warning systems.
Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, of the Thai Sang Thai Party said, however, that the PM2.5, flooding and garbage problems in Bangkok could be tackled through an overhaul of the structure of city planning, dividing it into smaller s district plans, which would make it easier to manage environmental problems.
He admitted that it may be difficult to overhaul the whole structure of Bangkok, because the plans for some infrastructure were implemented a long time ago, such as in Chinatown.
He pointed out that the first thing to do is to update zoninglaws, so that resources can be directed to priority zones to deal with the environmental problems, such as those with heavy traffic or a concentration of factories.
Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa said the garbage problem must be the first to be dealt with, pointing out that it also leads to water pollution.
He said that the use of plastics must be reduced and recycled and all households in Bangkok must separate plastic waste before it is to be disposed of.
He proposed wider use of EVs and the expansion of public transport, to reduce dependence on private cars, with stiffer penalties for vehicles which discharge excessive exhaust pollutants into the atmosphere.
Varawut admitted, however, that the hardest thing to change will be people’s attitude towards their responsibility for the environment, as he warned that environmental problems will become worse and irreversible in the future.
Dr. Plodprasop Suraswadi, of the Pheu Thai Party, said theyhave developed action plans to deal with environmental problems, with one for air pollution, one to reduce garbage, another to cope with marine pollution and a green action plan.
He said garbage must be recycled as much as possible adding, however, that there are too many landfills, more than 2,000 around the country.
The green action plan involves planting more trees to increase green areas in Bangkok and elsewhere, he said, as he proposed amendments to environmental laws, to give more powers to environmental officials to deal with the problems.
He said that, when there is a gas leak at a factory, officials from the Pollution Control Department cannot enter the factory without prior permission from the factory’s owner.
Dr. Samart Ratchapolsitte, of the Democrat Party, said theywill prioritise the passing of a clean air law, to reduce greenhouse gas and to encourage greater use of public transport adding, however, that public transport fares must be reduced to encourage more commuters to turn to the service.
Dr. Pornchai Maranet, of the Chartpattana Kla Party, said that the public should have a greater say in the tackling of environmental problems.
He cited the government’s is urging of motorists to switch to EVs, without solutions as to what the motorists will do with their old cars, without knowing what the insurance fees for EVs will be or the high cost of EV batteries.
