When Sukhumvit residents gathered as a group called Rak Asoke to protest against the proposed Asoke elevated road, many people didn't seem to understand them.
But these residents had a point _ another elevated road or flyover which will cost about 4.5 billion baht from state coffers won't be a way to fix the problems of this bustling area. In fact, the name Asoke has become synonymous with traffic congestion.
Indeed, how many roads do we need to accommodate cars in Bangkok? Look at the car population. The latest number of cars in Bangkok is 7.9 million, a sharp contrast to road capacity, and it keeps increasing day by day (and everybody knows the peak period was when the Yingluck government launched the first-car tax rebate policy).
The fact is, we cannot really build as many roads - or elevated roads - as we feel we need to. And just building a road may not promise a cure.
If you are not convinced, look at the elevated road on Borommaratchachonnani in Thon Buri which links the western part of Bangkok to the Rattanakosin quarters. This elevated section which ends at Bhuddhamonthon II Road brought much hope when it was constructed about 15 years ago. (Indeed, the 14-km Borommaratchachonnani stretch is ideal for a mass transit system such as the skytrain that can accommodate several thousand commuters. But it's too late now.) The result is local residents, mostly living in new housing estates, feel the need to have a car since the bus system is inefficient. They must queue up in heavy traffic even before dawn. It's difficult for them to get home before dusk as well. What a life!
It's likely the planned Asoke flyover, if pursued, will be worse than Borommaratchachonnani Road given the narrowness of Asoke Road itself.
Some residents will have to be relocated to accommodate the new bulky structure which may not be able to ease traffic. Not to mention the extra pollution that will follow.
They insist the proposed 4.5-billion-baht budget should be used more wisely.
As the three consultants are to finalise their feasibility report to the BMA this month, the Rak Asoke group is also working out in parallel its own proposal for a traffic solution which is to be directed to the BMA. That's fair enough. At the same time, it also hopes local people's opinions will be included in the consultants' report.
Among the residents' proposals are new traffic rules and strict enforcement which should help improve traffic.
The road is dotted with office buildings and car drivers feel free to turn into the buildings' driveways at any point from the other side of the road - this practice affects the traffic flow.
It remains to be seen how far residents will push for new traffic rules for this bustling road.
In my opinion, as Asoke Montri is one of the very few roads that are connected with train systems - underground and skytrain - serious efforts should be made to persuade more people to abandon their cars and use the mass transit system.
I am for the mass transit system - it's the only sure-fire way to tackle Bangkok traffic. Though personally I detest the existing service for the way it manages the system that takes advantage of commuters (we are forced to pay separately for membership tickets, instead of just deposits; the bad linkages and feeding system; not enough trains at certain times; lack of good park-and-ride facilities; and yes, it's very expensive), I still use it frequently.
How about developing a carrot and stick approach?
Make the mass transit more affordable and convenient and then get tough with individual cars?
Let's make Asoke Road a model public transportation route.
If we look thoroughly at every angle, perhaps, we may find that the elevated road is not the best option.
After all, we cannot just keep building new roads _ no matter how much we want to.
Ploenpote Atthakor is deputy editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post.