Stories tagged with traffic
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Bangkok traffic law under advisory
Bangkok is one of the busiest capital cities in the world, and the metropolis is notorious for its traffic. For years, Bangkok has struggled with what to do about the intense gridlock the city deals with every day. The construction of the sky train has done much to alleviate the worst of it, but with a middle class growing like a spore, there are more and more cars being driven on Thai streets every day.
The city’s governor, Apirak Kosayodhin has taken a new plan that resembles the congestion charge levied against London drivers, but has not made any final decisions. He said, “I want to try and make the public understand first that the main idea behind this proposed policy is to develop certain areas of Bangkok such as Silom, Sathorn and Sukhumvit, so that they are less congested.
This policy has already been implemented in Singapore but it took a lot of time to get people to understand the aim behind the plan.� He went on to say that as much as he is willing to listen to the plan, he is equally willing to scrap it if he finds it is not suitable for Bangkok.
Posted by: DaveB on 26 May 2008, 15:41 -
Cops get tough on chatting drivers
A new law affecting Chiang Mai motorists passed last month and implemented a few days ago bans the use of mobile phones while driving a car or a motorcycle. This has been put in place to counteract the number of road accidents caused by the driver of a vehicle losing concentration by talking on a mobile, phone. In an attempt to ease the change, any handsfree technology will be acceptable for now.
Drivers caught in violation of the new law face fines between 400 and 1000 baht, and police have been on the streets of Chaing Mai informing local drivers and tourists alike about the new rules. A parade left from the Airport Plaza shopping centre and continued along Hang Dong Road where explanatory leaflets were distributed to the public. The parade and the new law has been endorsed by Zoom Technology Ltd, who will provide a free headset or a Bluetooth device to people who can pass a Q&A relating to the new rules.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 May 2008, 16:13 -
Home-made bomb found in Chiang Mai
Local Chiang Mai resident, 46-year old Nathee Ananpanyasuth averted a potential disaster when he found a homemade bomb on a street near his shop Friday morning. Nathee had parked his car when he spotted a suspicious package outside Saenfang Temple. He placed it in a rubbish bin before proceeding to his business, the Ronrungsap clothing shop in Warorot Market and called the police. The bomb squad arrived and confirmed the box did indeed contain a homemade explosive device fabricated from a coffee can.
A robot examined the device previous to police taking it to the open area at Thapae Gate and performing a controlled explosion. Police said the explosion radius was about 30 metres. To perform the explosion in such a central and busy area meant roads had to be closed for two hours, causing heavy traffic jams all around the roads surrounding the old city as well as the main arteries leading east towards the Ping River.
Police have said a full investigation into the incident is underway, and as of yet no person or group has claimed responsibility.
Posted by: DaveB on 25 Apr 2008, 19:33 -
Bangkok and its notorious traffic
First-time visitors to Bangkok are often stunned by the metropole’s infamous traffic congestion. Tourists marvel at their taxi metres that inch ever upward on their initial ride from the airport to their hotel; a city block being covered e very ten minutes. An estimated 5.7 million vehicles ply Bangkok’s steamy streets, and that’s not only cars. Lorries, tuk-tuks, taxis and motorcycles all fight for their piece of the road in a city that makes Mexico City traffic look good. Sometimes the traffic jams are an issue even at 4 o’clock in the morning.
For tourists in Bangkok, there are alternatives. The subway metro system and the Skytrain cover most of the areas that would be of interest to tourists, though for locals that are trapped in gridlock every day, these public works are still not enough. A major extension needs to be built.
With many Asian countries’ middle classes swelling persistently, Thailand is no exception to the rule, and the nouveau-affluent consider a new car quite the status symbol, but of the 2,000 shiny new caste definers that take to Bangkok’s roads every day, the traffic is getting worse, and will continue to do so long before it gets any better.
Posted by: DaveB on 01 Apr 2008, 17:11 -
Holiday traffic claims 369 lives
Thailand’s poor road safety record was once again called into question as the New Year holiday season resulted in thousands of accidents and claimed nearly 400 lives. A further 4,514 people were injured in nearly as many accidents.
There was a four per cent decrease in accident fatalities from the previous year, but it remains a chronic problem in Thailand has heavy traffic over the long weekend results in higher accident rates.
December 30th was the deadliest day, with 85 fatalities and Bangkok recorded the most accidents of all provinces, proving that it was not just long distance travellers at risk from reckless motorists.
As much has 42 per cent of the accidents were caused by drunk driving according to the Interior Ministry, however the largest group affected were motorcyclist. Many of the injured and dead were not wearing safety helmets.
Other main causes of accidents include speeding and reckless overtaking. Although few tourists were involved, they are advised to avoid travelling during the long New Year Weekend, by road. The hilly, curving roads of the mountainous north are particularly risky during this time.
Transportation guide for Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 03 Jan 2008, 22:14