[sustran] Bangkok update
John Ernst
johnernst at bigfoot.com
Mon Jul 31 04:26:30 JST 2000
Things must be out of balance when a newspaper's Motoring section editor
calls for less highways and more public transport. Such a commentary
appeared a week ago in Bangkok (see Leu, R. 2000. Dragging the chain on
public transport. Commentary. Bangkok Post, 21 July, Motoring p.1.
<www.bangkokpost.com>). The editorial included the following statements:
"It seems something is wrong. Why is the annual expenditure on highways
far more important than the outlay on mass transit systems?"
"'Motoring' believes in freedom of choice between private and public
transport. But there must be an efficient, quick means of transport for the
broad mass of people who can't afford cars."
"What Thailand, particularly Bangkok and its suburbs, dearly needs now is a
modern rail system to complement the skytrain and the subway, which is
under construction."
"But, governments love pumping funds into highway constructions as
kickbacks come quicker and more frequently."
This editorial appeared 2-days before the election of Bangkok's new
governor, Samak Sundaravej. Samak's victory was widely predicted. He is a
conservative, veteran Thai politician, who is expected to favor big
infrastructure projects.
Incidentally, on his first day to work, Samak got stuck in traffic and so
walked the final blocks to his new office. (see Antaseeda, P. 2000. Boss
gives waiting lines the slip. Bangkok Post, 25 July:3)
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John Ernst Urban Transport Ecology
SUSTRAN - Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia and the
Pacific www.malaysiakini.com/sustran
ITDP - The Institute for Transport and Development Policy www.itdp.org
8 Sukhumvit Soi 49/9 Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel +66(1) 813-1819 Fax +1(801) 365-5914
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