Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams'

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Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams'

Published: 18 Dec 2012 at 14.33
Online news: Transport

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.

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Vune
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Discussion 14 : 23 Dec 2012 at 10.1014
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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!
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DonAleman
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Discussion 13 : 19 Dec 2012 at 18.1313
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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 !
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jgriff
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Discussion 12 : 19 Dec 2012 at 02.1112
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"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
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DONHUAN
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Discussion 11 : 18 Dec 2012 at 19.0111
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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”.
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phetpeter
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Discussion 10 : 18 Dec 2012 at 17.4310
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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)
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Victor
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Discussion 9 : 18 Dec 2012 at 17.249
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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.
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gleentea
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Discussion 8 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.348
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If an extra 300,000 cars in Bangkok is not causing more traffic, then what is?
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dekwat
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Discussion 7 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.157
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"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.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 6 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.096
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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!
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cinbkk
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Discussion 5 : 18 Dec 2012 at 15.185
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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.
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Car scheme 'not cause of traffic jams' | Bangkok Post: news