EDITORIAL BANGKOK POST: What price a clean city?
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang has made a last-minute decision to halt a four-fold hike in garbage collection fees, to 80 baht per month, until next year. The postponement, which was supported by the coup-installed city council, is seen as confirmation that he is planning to run in the governor election that may take place soon.
Pol Gen Aswin, a retired police general, no doubt realises that quadrupling the rate from 20 baht would lose him votes to strong rivals in what is seen as a tough political contest.
Last May, he dismissed those opposed to the move as “shameless”, insisting the new rate for households producing at least 20 litres of garbage daily (the majority) was affordable. Those who generated more waste, including businesses, were supposed to pay more. But his U-turn means the hike will be put off for at least another 12 months.
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In his plea for the city council to approve the freeze, Pol Gen Aswin said the move “is in line with government policy to reduce financial burdens on households”. The council last year gave the nod to increasing the fee, which had not changed since 2005 and no longer reflected the actual costs of monthly collection that have risen to 228 baht per household.
The governor had pointed out that the 228-baht fee comprised 130 baht for collection of waste plus 98 baht for its management. Explaining the new 80-baht rate, he said half would go to garbage collection and the rest for waste disposal. He did not elaborate about management.
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The whole process costs the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) about 6.9 billion baht a year. Only 10% (523 million baht) of that amount comes from collection fees paid by residents. Increasing the collection rate to 80 baht should raise that revenue three-fold, to 1.5 billion baht.
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In 2017, the Department of Health’s ministerial regulation on hygienic waste management put the minimum cost of safe and efficient garbage collection at 220 baht per month.
It is unfortunate, then, that the Bangkok governor appears to be placing his personal political ambitions ahead of public and environmental health.
Instead, he should realise that not all city residents are opposed to the new 80-baht rate. Indeed, many householders would gladly accept the hike if it enabled them to embrace a more environmentally friendly lifestyle through better waste management, infrastructure, and public education on waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
It’s also evident that the BMA is lagging behind in efforts to reduce the availability of single-use plastic bags. The private sector has been more progressive, with department stores and shopping malls taking a bold lead by charging shoppers who ask for plastic carriers.
Critics also note that the city’s hard-working garbage collectors seem to have slipped Pol Gen Aswin’s mind in his bid to convince residents of the need for a rate rise. And now the increase has been suspended, the small army of people who toil daily to keep the city streets clean face another year of tough conditions and unnecessary health risks.
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