In many ways Bangkok is already a well-developed city. But the quality of life in a big city depends on the availability of fresh air.
According to the UN Environment Programme, more than 1 billion people in the world are exposed to outdoor air pollution annually. Air pollution in big cities is linked to up to 1 million premature deaths. In Bangkok, air pollution comes from vehicle emissions brought about by a large number of vehicles, coupled with poor vehicle maintenance and low fuel quality.
While most developed countries have put in measures to reduce vehicle emissions, in terms of fuel quality and vehicle emission reduction technologies, these measures have yet to be seriously adopted in Thailand.
Vehicle emissions containing higher levels of carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter not only add to air pollution but cause smog and other air quality concerns.
Vehicle emissions are also contributing to global warming. For Bangkok to become a world-class city will not only require a major reduction in air pollution but also more investment in expanding mass rapid transit systems. The current infrastructure is not able to curtail urban air pollution.
To reduce congestion on the roads, Thailand should follow the policies adopted in Singapore. You cannot just walk in and buy a car in Singapore with a zero down payment. One has to go through a rigorous process to gain permission to buy a vehicle. World-class cities require world-class solutions. Closing down some of the car manufacturing plants in Thailand would certainly help.
Kuldeep Nagi
The gift of giving
It is time to put our priorities in order, as most of the world celebrates Christmas. Yes, it has become a commercialised time, but the atmosphere of love and giving still takes top billing.
Getting the family together, with good food and drink and the giving of gifts, are all positive aspects of what is an otherwise not-too-nice time for many.
It is time to take a visible stand by offering personal involvement and donations to those who can be helped directly, namely local orphanages and those who are disabled. Be joyous in heart and in giving.
Hyde Parke
On-the-fly pricing
With the price of oil reaching a record low on the world market, I have been waiting for the airline companies to announce a reduction in air fares, but so far their silence has been deafening.
I had understood the rise in the cost of air travel in recent years was due to the ever increasing cost of aviation fuel. Surely with a lower price we can expect lower airfares? Of course pigs might also fly.
Edward B Duhigg
Sterling use of stats
The articles by your op-ed columnist Sutapa Amornvivat are consistently impressive. They are well-researched and analytical, and contain nuggets of information not mined by others.
Ms Sutapa uses statistics wisely in developing her logic: for example, in her analysis of sustainable tourism for Phuket (BP, Dec 24). Keep the articles coming.
Jerry Huguet
Tripping into 2015
Re: “Street-crossing perils”, (PostBag, Dec 24)
I’m afraid I had to laugh about Mrs Giesen tripping over a broken paving slab, because I’ve done it myself and for sure there will be many more people who will also be inadvertently taking a tumble over the coming festivities, no matter how fit they are.
So please take care and have a jolly good Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ricardo