Much of the criticism is directed at the government's first-car-buyer programme. The scheme initially drew orders for more than a million vehicles, but as many as 200,000 may be cancelled, since new campaigns by automakers are offering even more attractive packages than the tax-rebate package offered last year by the government. Whichever way you look at it, these policies allow for the easy purchase of automobiles, thus increasing the problems of carbon emissions, while also aggravating Bangkok's congestion problems.
At a time when climate change is the greatest global challenge, carbon emissions should be a part of all government policy - particularly that related to transport.
This is why the Metropolitan Police's proposal seems absurd. According to police, old cars should be banned from Bangkok roads, unless their owners are paying as much registration tax as new cars. The proposal should be fought against - not because it is pressing for old cars to pay higher registration taxes, but because it fails to take into account the carbon dioxide that old cars emit.