Strengthening the UK-Thailand Partnership: UK Government and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration sign Letter of Intent to advance sustainable transport
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, represented by His Majesty's Ambassador to Thailand, HE Mr Mark Gooding OBE, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), represented by Governor of Bangkok, Mr Chadchart Sittipunt, today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at a ceremony held at Rattanakosin G Room, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration City Hall. The event was attended by senior officials from both sides.
The LOI builds on the existing partnership between Thailand and the UK, including the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) - Thailand Country Fund (Thailand - UK PACT programme) and the Thailand-UK Strategic Partnership Roadmap agreed in March 2024. UK PACT Thailand includes up to £6m focused on sustainable transport and green finance-critical sectors for achieving Thailand's ambitious climate targets, including a 47% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The LOI will enable both parties to advance collaborative projects such as:
- Strengthening transport policies and workforce development for electric mobility
- Accelerating transit-oriented development (TOD) and active mobility
- Minimising PM2.5 exposure through enhanced public transport routing
- Exploring congestion charging and low-emission zones
The BMA's pioneering work on Low-Emission Zones (LEZ) has already delivered tangible results, with pilot implementation reducing PM2.5 pollution by 15.6% in central districts. The expansion of LEZ measures across all 50 districts by 2026 will further improve air quality and public health.
HE Mr Mark Gooding, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Thailand, stated:
"This collaboration is not only about sharing expertise, but about co-creating innovative solutions that address the urgent challenges of climate change and urbanisation. By joining forces, we can accelerate progress towards net zero, improve air quality, and foster safer, greener cities for future generations."
HE Mr Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, remarked:
"This partnership with the UK Government is a significant step forward for Bangkok. By leveraging UK expertise and fostering international cooperation, we are confident that we can accelerate our progress towards net zero emissions and enhance the quality of life for all Bangkok residents."
The Thailand-UK partnership is expected to deliver tangible benefits, including:
- Enhanced capacity for climate action and urban sustainability in Bangkok
- Strengthened policy frameworks and technical expertise through knowledge exchange
- Increased opportunities for investment, innovation, and job creation in green sectors
- Improved road safety and public health outcomes for residents and visitors
This collaboration supports Thailand's national targets to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and aligns with the UK's global leadership in climate and energy transition.
In addition to the Thailand - UK PACT Programme, both parties met to discuss existing and emerging collaboration on road safety, consular cooperation, and other potential workstreams, including climate finance. The UK and BMA will continue to work closely to improve road safety in Bangkok, with a particular focus on reducing motorcycle accidents. British Embassy Bangkok welcomes the Governor's ongoing cooperation and looks forward to supporting legislative changes relating to helmet use, drink driving, and the regulation of rental motorbike shops. These efforts are vital to safeguarding both local residents and the over one million British tourists who visit Thailand annually.
The UK Government and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration look forward to deepening their cooperation in the years ahead, working together to realise a shared vision of a low-carbon, sustainable future.
