Published on June 27, 2005

The majority of Bangkok residents support the government’s energy conservation campaign, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) Metta Bantherngsuk said yesterday.

Citing a recent survey by EPPO and the Market Survey Association of Thailand, Metta said 96 per cent of 500 Bangkokians interviewed said there should be harsher penalties for motorists who park their cars in no-parking zones, which blocks traffic and causes fuel-wasting traffic jams.

Some 94 per cent of those interviewed supported setting standards for car manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient cars, he said, while 92 per cent supported turning off office air-conditioners during lunch breaks, and 89 per cent supported switching off neon advertising billboards after 10pm.

Eighty-five per cent of residents agreed with the idea of a monthly “Car Free Day”, on which car owners would be encouraged to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport to get around instead, Metta added.

However, measures that affect people’s daily lives received less support, Metta said.

Only 59 per cent supported closing of supermarkets and shopping malls one to two hours earlier, while 54 per cent agreed with prohibiting cars being used on certain days and in certain areas based on odd- or even-numbered licence plates, he said. About 55 per cent supported raising the annual car tax.

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