The residents of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, will enjoy free bus and metro services for a week, starting tomorrow, as part of a government initiative to encourage the use of electric public transportation. The move comes as part of efforts to curb the rising levels of air pollution in the city and reduce the dependency on personal petrol-powered vehicles.

Prime Minister Pheu Thai, Phetangtarin Sinawat, has signed an executive order to implement the decision, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Surya Juangrungruangkit during a briefing on Friday. He stated that relevant government and private entities involved in public transport operations had already been informed of the new directive and were assured of appropriate financial compensation for the loss of revenue during this period.

The initiative aims to tackle the growing air pollution in Bangkok, which has recently reached concerning levels. According to Surya, the increasing use of fuel-powered private vehicles is one of the major contributors to this issue. He noted that reducing the number of such vehicles could decrease air pollution by 20% to 30%, making the city’s air quality significantly better.

The government hopes to encourage the public to adopt electric public transport options as an alternative to using personal cars, which emit harmful pollutants into the environment. If the public response is positive and cooperation is widespread, the government is considering extending the free transport offer beyond the initial week.

Thailand's tourism sector, which is one of the country's largest sources of foreign currency, has also been affected by the pollution, as Bangkok attracts a large number of international tourists throughout the year. However, recent air quality issues have raised concerns among both residents and visitors.

This winter, air pollution in Bangkok has worsened to the point where many schools have been closed, and non-essential government employees have been instructed to work from home. The increasing use of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles is one of the key contributors to the deteriorating air quality in the capital.

The government’s initiative comes as a proactive step to address this pressing issue and promote sustainable transportation solutions that will benefit both the environment and public health.