Tanker trucks banned from city

Tanker trucks banned from city

BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai government is barring the streets of Bangkok to all tanker trucks carrying oil and gasoline, in a bid to ease the capital's chronic traffic congestion.

Also, Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, announced yesterday it would stop receiving jet fuel from trucks on Aug. 12 -- the day the ban on gasoline tankers takes effect -- and would obtain fuel through a recently- constructed pipeline instead.

THAI said the switch would eliminate up to 500 round trips each day by tankers on the heavily-traveled highway to Don Muang Airport.

The ban on trucks carrying various grades of gasoline is round the clock. But the ban on trucks carrying benzine and diesel fuel begins Sept. 1 and will keep these vehicles off Bangkok's streets only from 5:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.