Traffic experts doubt the candidates

News > Politics

Experts deride campaign pledges

Governor hopefuls failing on policy front, forum told

Published: 18 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Experts on traffic and transport are sceptical about the chances of Bangkok's gridlocked transport system improving, regardless of who wins the March 3 gubernatorial election.

None of the three leading candidates in the race offer any real solutions to traffic and transport problems, the experts told a Bangkok Post special forum.

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GoldenRoad
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Discussion 14 : 18 Feb 2013 at 09.2114
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Re: building a skywalk so that pedestrians can avoid pavements crowded with vendors. There is a nice, wide skywalk from Victory Monument BTS station extending around to the east and north of the monument; however, vendors are not prevented from selling there and take up about half the width of the skywalk.
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bikeme
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Discussion 13 : 18 Feb 2013 at 09.0813
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The real problem with Thailand is not that politicians promise unobtainable goals, but that the people quickly forget the politician's failure to reach that goal and re-elect them based on their next new set of unobtainable goals. Thaksin promised to solve traffic problems in six months, he failed during his two terms in office and now we have one of his puppets promising to do the same and the faithful believe him once again.
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Ian
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Discussion 12 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.5412
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A total ban on all commercial vehicles during the morning and evening rush hours would help, this worked in London.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 11 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.3711
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Voranai's article yesterday put it all in perspective. You have a candidate promising things will be better if he's elected because he will be able to co-ordinate with his party in govt, but that suggests that the Govt have deliberately been unco-operative to undermine a Dem Governor. He promises better policing of traffic even though the BMA has no authority over police. which suggests the police (allied to the governing party) have been underperforming, why do we need a policeman governor to get them to do their job. Hopefully Bangkokians are intelligent enough to see through the populist hype.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 10 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.3110
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I don't think any meaningful change will take place in Thailand until corruption is punished extremely severely. Until then the following joke will continue:
Question: "Who have the strongest teeth in Thailand?"
Answer: "The politicians ... because they eat everything ... concrete, earth, steel, buildings, skytrains,
roads, buses, cars, cash, gold, jewelry, etc."
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borrocks
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Discussion 9 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.249
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I promise you one thing sure ..things will only get worse whoever becomes Governor.

Until there are serious consequence's and prison time for corruption and malfeasances things will never change in BKK just like the rest of this lost Country
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pquinlan
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Discussion 8 : 18 Feb 2013 at 08.008
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What happened to the plan to hand control of BKK Traffic Police to the BMA?
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 7 : 18 Feb 2013 at 07.577
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In an ideal world candidates would carefully study the current situation and think about the possibilities they have. They would consider the details and make promises about what they can and will do.
The press would report the details and asks experts about what they think is possible and how much it will cost.
The well informed voters would make decisions about what they think are the best and most realistic promised policies.
When elected the candidate would fulfill all promises and details would be followed up to make sure everything works fine.
Does anybody see any resemblance between the ideal world and Bangkok or Thailand?
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Contrarian
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Discussion 6 : 18 Feb 2013 at 07.146
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Disc. #1 ".......the First Car scheme implemented by his masters at the PTP......."

Not sure about that, but the masters of the PAD-Dem's ought to address the multi-car ownership of the wealthy. Some time ago I was amused about this one PAD-Dem guy decrying this first-car-scheme and how it was clogging BKK. streets. I wonder if he was gazing out upon his multiple bay and car garage at that moment. It is OK to curtail the little guy, but don't mess with my six Benze's. BTW, this is not idle talk. In fact this guy was exposed as having all these vehicles, while complaining about others finally being able to afford one.
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Contrarian
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Discussion 5 : 18 Feb 2013 at 07.065
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"........an assistant professor at Chulalongkorn University, said the Pheu Thai candidate has made promises he is unlikely to deliver"

Discussions of BBK problems/solutions aside, for they are complex and need indepth attention individually, a political gem is buried in this article. It is well known that Chula U., is a 'bastion of PAD-Dem" influence, and it shows in above quote. The focus of this article is generalized about all candidates and all problems/solutions.....But only the Chula guy makes an exception.....The anti-PTP.UDD-Red Shirt slant of most academics, Uny's and their so-called public opinion Polls, always comes through.
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