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MAILBAG |
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what Chiang Mai needs is a good transportation network
Dear Editor:
Since 2003, I have been visiting Chiang Mai at least once a year. I eagerly
awaited and finally tried the new (but overdue) bus service when it first
started in late 2006. Initially, a number of services criss-crossed the city to
points of interest outside it, such as the aiport, railway station, the zoo and
the botanical garden. So far so good, and I was overjoyed. It had a winning
feature too -- just 15 baht for a cool ride.
However, as with promising winners, there were many 'buts': the bus stops were
hard to find, the wait was long in the hot sun, and there was no published time
and frequency table in English. Both the Arcade bus terminus and the tourist
office did not even have a usable timetable. In recent years bus routes were
amended, but no mention was made of these at the stops. As a great believer in
buses, I waited nearly one hour on several occasions for the white bus to
arrive, which of course never did because I finally convinced myself the
services were removed.
Despite these 'devil is in the detail' problems, I was not deterred from using
buses every time I was in Chiang Mai.
Over the years, however, I have seen neither improvement nor upgrading of
service. In all honesty, I think Chiang Mai's fledging bus service has
deteriorated. This is evident in the many sheltered bus stops along Huay Kaew
Road with seats that are damaged or caked with dust and outdated route maps
yellowed with age.
How did Chiang Mai's bus service come to such a state?
The main issue seems to be the lack of passenger traffic due to the abundance of
songthaews which are run as small family concerns vying for business with
countless tut-tuts, yellow-top and private taxis. It's lamentable most are
cruising empty and only contributing to unwanted traffic jams and pollution.
Tourists are unused to haggling fares and unsure whether they should take the
red, yellow, maroon or white Songthaews which also often use circuitous routes,
causing time delays and overcharging. I once had a 'first in, last out' journey
which took me over an hour from Huay Kaew Road to reach Warorot Market because
the driver dropped fares off at Chang Puak, Khuan Shin, Holiday Inn, and finally
to my destination by way of Charoenprathek Road.
Some months back, I read reports that Chiang Mai citizens were opposed to the
widening of congested city roads out of fear that the proposed improvements
would disrupt the traditional charm of the moated city. as
resident-stakeholders, it is understandable that citizens want to preserve the
city's old-world ambience. However, they must also know that a viable
transportation system is imperative to, and a strong impetus for the successful
emergence of Chiang Mai as Thailand's second city.
By all means, preserve the ancient pratu gates and old Lanna landmarks, erect
overpass and underpass outside the moat, but do allow the city's main roads to
be broadened as clear arteries regulating the flow of both passenger and
vehicular traffic, which is bound to increase going forward. Chiang Mai is the
heart of North Thailand and the city roads must not be clogged. Surely, we do
not wish to see the ensuing crippling of the economy of the region as a result
of preventable 'arteriosclerosis' of the city's traffic system.
With widened city roads, we can have regular scheduled buses which have the
ability to move more people in and beyond the city at designated bus stops with
proper signages. The number of songthaews on the road can then be reduced, or
restrictions imposed such as limiting them to picking up fares at only major
pratus, or allowing only a certain number to circulate within the city at
off-peak hours.
So that it's a win-win situation, songthaew driver-owners can be encouraged to
give up their licences in exchange for ownership shares in the amalgamated bus
company comprising the current municipal bus and private managers of the
songthaews. And to ensure their livelihood and loyalty, they may also be trained
and re-employed as fleet managers, drivers, driving instructors, bus inspectors,
conductors, mechanics or customer support staff. As for the retired songthaew
vans, these may be re-cycled as rental vehicles and delivery trucks for
hyperstores and local manufacturers, and even families moving houses.
The governor of Chiang Mai province must be empowered to make these sweeping
changes, including the ratio of buses to songthaews, tuk-tuks and taxis. Some
profit each year for the next 5 to 10 years from this expanded company should be
earmarked for transport-related developments, such as free-to-use bicycles.
In short, Chiang Mai needs a proper transportation system whereby songthaews can
co-exist in harmony with city buses, and where cannabalisation of routes and
pollution are kept to the minimum. As sweetener for city dwellers, perhaps
free-to-use bicycles may be allowed within the city that is off-limits to
songthaews and buses. I am sure international travellers for once will find this
little addition a charming feature of an enchanting city in the Land of Smiles.
A thousand miles journey begins with the first important step. And Chiang Mai
citizens will be credited with taking this first step.
Yours sincerely,
David Lam, Singapore
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Smoking violations
Dear Editor
I have lived in Chiang Mai near Loi Kroh since the anti-smoking law went into
effect in early January. Sometimes the law is obeyed voluntarily, but when it
isn't, most establishments refuse to tell people that they are not allowed to
smoke. If I am eating dinner, can I leave without paying? How should I report
these violations?
Concerned non-smoker
Thais at risk working in Sweden
Dear Editor,
Today the news in Swedish newspapers is that the predicted harvest of wild
blueberries is going to be very poor due to the dry and cold summer of 2011.
The recent years there hve been a large number of poor Thai people trying to
make a profit of picking berries in Sweden. Often they have been brought
here on false promises by dishonest agents and according to several news
articles many have returned to Thailand heavily in debt.
An article in your newspaper, quoting the recent predictions, may prevent
some personal tragedies happening also this year.
Here's a link to the news from the most respected Swedish Agricultural
research center (unfortunately in Swedish):
http://www.slu.se/sv/om-slu/fristaende-sidor/aktuellt/alla-nyheter/2011/7/ont-om-blabar-i-hela-landet-i-sommar1/
Kind regards
/H.Edman, Skogas, Sweden
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