Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams'

Published: 18 Dec 2012 at 14.33
Online news:

The government's first-time car buyer tax rebate scheme is not the major reason for the heavier traffic in Bangkok, Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lekuthai said on Tuesday.

Traffic moves along a main road in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec 11, 2012. (Bloomberg photo)

"Only 30% of the first-time car buyers in this programme are from Bangkok," Mr Tanusak said after a visit to the Excise Department for a briefing on new car owners applying for tax refunds under the scheme.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Your comments

Vune
Post : 41
Send message

Discussion 14 : 23 Dec 2012 at 10.1014
Post this to my Facebook
This shows how un-coordinated planning is at every stage in Thailand. Incentives for first car buyers has resulted in an additional 1 million cars on the road in one year. None of the roads or highways are getting any wider or longer and there's no control of cars going on the road or into specific areas. Consequently, the whole city has turned into a big carpark. Congratulations to the BMA and authorities for making Bangkok such a liveable place. We all have to find a place that sits in front of a BTS station now. Real joke!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
DonAleman
Post : 611
Send message

Discussion 13 : 19 Dec 2012 at 18.1313
Post this to my Facebook
Inas much as many/most of these cars frequent the same
areas/businesses it is not 250,000/30 % extra cars there but
more like 70% and most/all of these autos must use the same
entry/exit roads so : some areas little affected and others
impossible. Look for Road Rage to increase !
Like dislike 2 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
jgriff
Post : 431
Send message

Discussion 12 : 19 Dec 2012 at 02.1112
Post this to my Facebook
"It's human nature. When there's more financial responsibility, people will be more diligent and committed in their work.

"I think the one million people who bought vehicles under the first-car scheme will work harder," he said.

OMG! Where did this man go to school? Do they hear what they say? Lets get people deeper in debt so they will work harder. 55555555555
Like dislike 11 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
DONHUAN
Post : 366
Send message

Discussion 11 : 18 Dec 2012 at 19.0111
Post this to my Facebook
Of course we can expect PT Ministers to put a positive spin on this situation and blame the traffic problems on some other causes other than this “New car rebate” programs. Perhaps the Minister of Sports/Foreign/Agricultures other than Transport, can come up with some creative reasons on this traffic situation. Maybe the people are much well-off since the PT government took over from the DEM or there are many more tourists than expected in Bangkok. Whatever the true reason(s), the PT Ministers will have us believe that it is indeed a “happy problem”.
Like dislike 9 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
phetpeter
Post : 725
Send message

Discussion 10 : 18 Dec 2012 at 17.4310
Post this to my Facebook
Not forgetting that these first time buyers, have red number rage! and alot lack the skills to drive, once round the training circuit, and reverse with help, and then out onto the roads of Bangkok!Now give us the facts of accidents involving first time purchasers and red plate cars and did they have to show a valid driving lience before pulling off the forecourt?( I have seen four in a week in Phetchabun)
Like dislike 10 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
Victor
Post : 1,355
Send message

Discussion 9 : 18 Dec 2012 at 17.249
Post this to my Facebook
Maybe he had a point, Bangkok's traffic cannot get any worse, with or without the extra 300k new cars. However, what'd be worse off will surely be the increasing number of traffic accidents resulting from all those new drivers driving their brand new cars at break neck speed, in disregard to traffic safety.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
gleentea
Post : 315
Send message

Discussion 8 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.348
Post this to my Facebook
If an extra 300,000 cars in Bangkok is not causing more traffic, then what is?
Like dislike 17 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
dekwat
Post : 124
Send message

Discussion 7 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.157
Post this to my Facebook
"We shouldn't look at it as a debt or non-performing debt issue, but we should look at how the economy will benefit from this programme," Mr Tanusak said.
...and how exactly will the economy benefit from this scheme??? I'm wondering.
Like dislike 17 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
bkk-farang
Post : 2,455
Send message

Discussion 6 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.096
Post this to my Facebook
30% are only 273,000 vehicles more in Bangkok or to put it in another perspective: 5m space for each of these cars adds up to 1,365km on the streets of Bangkok – additionally! Now how could this cause any traffic jam?
I guess we have to wait a couple of months until people will realize that the vehicles also need a lot of gasoline additionally to the monthly payment. Then the finance companies will repossess many of them and traffic will be almost back to normal.
Mr Tanusak: "We shouldn't look at it as a debt or non-performing debt issue, but we should look at how the economy will benefit from this programme". Yeah, right!
Like dislike 14 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
cinbkk
Post : 206
Send message

Discussion 5 : 18 Dec 2012 at 15.185
Post this to my Facebook
More nonsense from the 'experts' who run this country. I'm sure an extra 300,000 cars will have quite an impact.

Most of the economic commentary from the government is the kind of stuff an 8-year old could think up.
Like dislike 18 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment

1 2 Next Last

Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams' | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams'

Most Viewed

Russian attacked by Pattaya bikers

Your comments

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!