When I learned of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) plans to demolish the Saphan Taksin skytrain station, and replace it with a moving walkway linking the Taksin area to Surasak station, I got quite agitated.
Another demolition? Why does it seem so difficult to escape the "build-demolish-build" cycle in this country?
However, after I searched for the project details, I calmed down a bit. According to the BMA, the demolition of the skytrain station _ which is to begin as early as next month _ is to pave the way for dual-track railways, instead of the current single track that is becoming increasingly inconvenient given the increase in the volume of traffic since the BTS extended its service to the other side of the river in 2009. The current single track forces either outgoing or incoming trains to wait for the other to pass, and that's a waste of time.
Under the plans, city commuters wishing to get into town from the Taksin area can use a moving walkway _ commonly known as a skywalk _ which will stretch about 710m to Surasak station. The BMA also boasts that the new development, which will take about a year to complete, will make the Taksin area a more beautiful part of the city.
It's quite unfortunate that no one, including the BMA and the BTS, foresaw the extension of the rail system to Thon Buri when the BTS launched its service in 1999. Had it not been for the late politician Samak Sundaravej, the extended rail system would still be a dream. Actually, before Samak assumed his position at the BMA (he served as governor from 2000 to 2004), the administration built the foundations for an elevated road to accommodate vehicles from the ever-jammed Taksin Bridge, similar to Boromratchonnanee Road from Pin Klao Bridge. It was Samak who turned the elevated road into an elevated railway. Even though he was not my favourite politician, I admired and respected him for his vision and decisiveness. Otherwise, we would have had another "elevated car park" in the city during the rush hour.
As a native of Thon Buri, I share the fate of so many of those who live on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Since many of our houses are located deep into sois, far from the main roads, a car has become a necessity, after food, medicine, clothes and a house.
As the inner part of the city has been developed, Thon Buri has become a prime area for condominiums and other properties, despite poor planning of roads and infrastructure. No doubt, those who can afford a private car don't think twice about buying one, or two or three for their families.
For me, a true believer in demand-side management, I still opt for only one car for the whole family for the sake of the environment. When necessary, I rely on the not-so-reliable bus and other modes of public transport. Yes, I am one of the BTS passengers who regularly use its service.
Undeniably, the extension of the skytrain has improved the quality of life of Thon Buri residents. But we need good park-and-ride facilities to entice more commuters to use the skytrain, leaving their cars when getting to town. And we need such facilities quickly, or people will still feel the need to use their cars.
I have to say the Saphan Taksin skytrain station is far from perfect. To be precise, no BTS station is perfect, given the fact that they are so unfriendly to people in need _ the old, women in the late stages of pregnancy and people with disabilities.
Obviously, the skytrain is badly short of escalators. Saphan Taksin station, in particular, provides an escalator only on the Charoen Krung Road side _ those approaching the station from the Chao Phraya side have to climb up stairs. Worse, there's no escalator from the concourse level to the platform. And the lift is known to be mere decoration.
Which is ironic. When the MRT shut down its escalators (the down, not up side) at some of its underground stations during off-peak hours as a way to save energy, the company was bombarded with criticism. But the BTS can escape unscathed by providing nothing for years!
So, we have to wait and see if the new skywalk will work well, and not add to the troubles of city commuters. As there will be maybe thousands using this skywalk at certain times, we will need to regulate the system.
Perhaps this is the right time to promote a "walking culture" _ if you are slow, either because you are walking in a pair, or in a group, or because you are glued to that touch screen _ keep to one side of the walkway, allowing those in a rush to walk past on the other.
Ploenpote Atthakor is Deputy Editorial Pages editor.