Suche
Mein Konto
Bangkok sets new emissions limits: Are drivers at risk of high fines?
From November 2025, Bangkok will implement new emissions standards for diesel vehicles, promote electric cars and plan sustainable mobility.
Bangkok sets new emissions limits: Are drivers at risk of high fines?
On November 1, 2025, a new milestone in the fight against air pollution came into force in Bangkok. The authorities have introduced stricter emissions limits for diesel vehicles. Now older diesel engines in particular that do not meet Euro 5 standards must significantly reduce their emissions. The permissible opacity of the exhaust gases has been reduced from 30% to 20%. Those who do not comply with these regulations can face fines of up to 4,000 THB (around 123 USD). Vehicles that are not compliant after a subsequent inspection cannot be used for 30 days, which puts a lot of financial pressure on many drivers.
But while the classic diesel engine is coming under pressure, the market for electric vehicles (EVs) is booming in Thailand. As reported by reccessary.com, Thailand was the largest electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia in 2025. Around 66,000 EVs were registered in the first seven months of the year, almost as many as in the entire previous year with 67,000 units. The government's ambitious targets include making at least 30% of vehicle production zero-emission by 2030, which would equate to over 700,000 units annually.
EMISSION REDUCTION AND INCENTIVES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
To encourage EV use, tax breaks and purchase subsidies as well as comprehensive incentives for car manufacturers will be introduced. These range from tax breaks of up to 40% for all-electric vehicles to cash bonuses for consumers who can receive between $2,000 and $4,500 when purchasing an EV, depending on the model and battery capacity.
The infrastructural requirements are also being pushed forward: a total of 12,000 public EV charging stations are to be installed by 2030, with 2,000 stations already in operation by the end of 2025. These measures not only provide an improvement in air quality through reduced emissions, but are also expected to create 40,000 new jobs in EV production and services.
CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
Despite this positive development, there are also challenges that need to be overcome. The charging infrastructure in rural areas still remains patchy. Thailand is also dependent on imported battery technologies, which can put pressure on the domestic industry. In addition, there is currently a lack of qualified workers for state-of-the-art EV production.
The haste with which Thailand is advancing its EV policy also has regional implications. Many ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, are inspired by Thailand's progress and plan to accelerate their own EV strategies. According to dxbnewsnetwork.com, Thailand is expected to remain the primary hub for electric mobility in Southeast Asia in the coming years.
Another major goal is the creation of a national EV brand, developed in partnership with Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. This initiative aims to create a strong local EV production infrastructure and establish Thailand as a regional hub for EV production.
In another step to improve air quality, Thailand is also expected to pass its first climate change law soon. This will not only create a legal framework for reducing greenhouse gases, but also promote a national climate fund and market mechanisms such as emissions trading. The remaining goal is clear: Thailand wants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with an eye on net-zero emissions by 2065, as thailandtip.info emphasizes.