To the Editor;
I moved to Chiang Mai from Phuket 2 years ago and have been shocked to see
the increase in traffic and pollution in that short period! I don’t think
the traffic is responsible for all the pollution but it would be nice to
enforce the emission laws on the buses and tuk-tuks as they seem to be the
main offenders.
When I was on the Cambodian border recently near Sa Kaeo
the Thai tuk-tuks there had 4-stroke engines, were very quiet, clean and
emitted no trail of smelly smoke. They were also painted well and all seemed
to be in great condition. Why is it here they are in such a state of
disrepair? Who is responsible?
Banning all traffic inside the moat and having a free
shuttle from an outside parking lot and around the restricted area may be a
good idea - it works in other countries.
Also, the last couple of weeks everywhere I drive someone
is burning something. From what I see it is for no reason, like grass beside
the canal etc. Is it not illegal to burn stuff and did the King not issue a
statement asking the Thai people to stop this unnecessary practice? Seems
the army and government workers are the worst. On the way to Mae Rim they
are having huge burns daily. Is it illegal and if so who is supposed to
enforce it and why aren’t they? It would be easy to catch, just follow the
smoke!
A pity to spoil the best time of year in Chiang Mai with
unnecessary pollution.
Regards,
Ian Rauner
