General
Bangkok City Council Rejects Budget for EV Water Truck Fleet
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council has voted against a proposal to lease 145 electric water trucks, citing concerns over technical specifications.
On September 15, 2026, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council held a special session to review the 2027 fiscal year budget. During the meeting, council members voted 26 to 19 to reject a proposal for the procurement of 145 electric vehicle (EV) water trucks. The decision followed criticism from council members regarding the project's technical specifications and the Terms of Reference (TOR).
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt defended the initiative, noting that it was intended to be a historic move for the capital to improve urban services while prioritizing environmental sustainability. He explained that the project had faced delays due to the necessity of conducting three thorough public hearings to ensure transparency and address community feedback.
For residents and visitors, this decision means that the planned modernization of the city's water truck fleet will not proceed as currently proposed. While the administration aimed to integrate greener technology into municipal operations, the council's vote halts the current procurement process. It remains to be confirmed whether the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will revise the technical specifications or the TOR to address the council's concerns and resubmit the proposal in a future budget cycle. As of now, the status of the city's water truck maintenance and service operations remains unchanged.