What have we learned from the Formula 1 fiasco?

What have we learned from the Formula 1 fiasco?

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has decided to shift a proposed Formula 1 race to a location other than the old quarters of Rattanakosin in Bangkok. What happened? Not enough money passed one way or another? A political showdown between the Pheu Thai Party-led government and the Democrat-controlled Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)?

As an opponent of noise pollution in Bangkok, I consider the proposed race to be despicable. This city cannot afford to be any louder than it already is.

Our group, Quiet Bangkok, has been trying with moderate success to convince noise makers to turn their volume down. The usual noise level on Bangkok streets, nearly inescapable for most residents, is about 90-100 decibels, enough to cause hearing impairment among traffic policemen, security guards and street vendors. Imagine the 130 decibels created by racing F1 cars. This is as loud as a jet plane taking off 35 metres from you, which can inflict permanent damage on your hearing. It's therefore unthinkable that an explosively noisy race, which will require certain Bangkok streets already plagued by heavy traffic at all hours to be closed for weeks if not months, will be held here.

What's worse is the choice of venue and the way the whole affair has been handled by the government and the deep-pocketed sponsors.

They just decided among themselves they would stage the race right around the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha, various other important temples, educational and legal institutions, as well as some 20 communities, without consulting those who might be adversely affected by the race.

They pretend not to know an existing law that prohibits certain activities in protected historical areas, such as slaughterhouses, heavy industry and so on.

They must have thought that, with support from the government and their rich friends with fast cars, they could do away with the regulations, and the residents living right along the racing track could be silenced. After all, they are just owners of noodle shops, massage balm stalls, or beauty parlours.

The F1 proponents failed to realise they were dealing with members of tightly-knit communities, whose families have lived in these parts for generations. One resident, Orasri Silapee, who was a Thammasat University student in 1951, said she used to ride the long-gone trams of the Rattanakosin area from her home to the university. Her father-in-law, Phra Visukham Silpaprasit, a royal engineer during King Rama VI's reign, helped build and design Chitralada Palace and Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom.

This gentle, soft-spoken lady is a well-respected leader of the Bang Lamphu community and recognised by fellow residents, local authorities and the press. It's therefore not surprising that when she, along with leaders of 20 communities, cried foul over holding an F1 race in Bangkok's old town, the authorities and the media paid attention. For the past 20 years or so, these residents have devoted themselves to preserving their culture and traditions and promoting sustainable tourism in Rattanakosin. They never needed F1 to bring in the tourists. Even without F1, Bangkok was named the world's most popular city by MasterCard only last month.

People visit the area not only for the historical sites but also to learn about the traditional arts and crafts and to savour unique local dishes, all of which would be impossible if one was to go by at 230-400kph. The BMA must be applauded for supporting these communities as well as independent groups such as the Civic Network for Tourism and Bangkok Bicycle Campaign.

In fact, the best-kept secrets of this old-town area are best visited by bicycle, boat or on foot, so one might discover hidden gems such as temples and mosques down narrow alleys, or homes of craftsmen who still make traditional theatre costumes and musical instruments by hand. And if you wonder if these communities ever do anything besides preserving their old ways of life, check out Santi Chaiprakarn Park on Phra Arthit Road. This place was once a run-down sugar warehouse, but thanks to a campaign led by Ms Orasri, her community and the BMA, it has become one of the most popular public parks by the Chao Phraya River.

To put it simply, people today keep the authorities in check and are well informed of their rights. Don't assume they are all ignorant. They may not be rich, but they deservedly receive the support of the public, the academics and the media.

It's best, therefore, to exercise transparency and to respect the law. In this case, the BMA has been wise enough by abiding by its own city codes governing special historical zones, instead of bowing to pressures to make an exception for the event. Should the government decide to press ahead with F1 race at another venue in Thailand, they should make use of the lessons learned.

It is not F1 itself that the residents and the public are against, but the way this issue has been handled. If the race organisers are careful, another venue might welcome the race. Otherwise, don't expect the people of Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Korat or Phuket to let it happen easily, now that they know Rattanakosin old town has been saved by improved city regulations.

Streets may be closed for state functions and political protests, but certainly not for a rich man's game.


Oraya Sutabutr is a founding member of Quiet Bangkok Group.

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