[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 24 December 2005 :-

JUST A THOUGHT: How to make Bangkok truly world class

Getting all caught up in the euphoria of housing Southeast Asia’s biggest shopping mall and largest aquarium, coupled with the criss-crossing of the city by the Skytrain and subway, it’s easy to believe that Bangkok is indeed a world-class city. Or is it? A quick trip round town reveals the reality of this City of Angels. It is not pedestrian-friendly at all.

A greater emphasis on pedestrians is needed, because a beautiful city should be one that can be enjoyed simply by taking a stroll along the street.

Apart from the air and noise pollution, there are not enough bridges and crossings to make life safe and sound for those on foot. Pedestrians often risk their lives and dart across the street just seconds away from the flow of speeding cars. Worse, in some areas night-time lighting is so dim that it’s perfect for road accidents, theft and criminal assault. The recent carnage in which a 13-year-old boy was killed while crossing a street in the early morning is a case in point.

Furthermore, the streets, roads, stairways, parking lots ... well, almost all basic infrastructure, is not disabled-friendly at all! It’s a wonder how people in wheelchairs can move up those steep staircases and the blind actually cross the street at the right time. We totally lack a sound-alert system at crossings, as well as Braille writing to help those who need it to navigate through the city.

Famous news anchor Krissana Chaiyarat, who has been confined to a wheelchair for eight years now, summed it up best: “Disability results from an environment that does not facilitate, in terms of infrastructure, for the disabled. If society had sufficient facilities, there would be no disabled. We would be able to travel and do everything just like anyone else.”

A glimmer of hope, however, has come from Bangkok Deputy Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte, who recently revealed that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration does include proper wheelchair paths in its plans for the city. It is now conducting a survey to determine where to hold a pilot project.

What is most nightmarish about walking down any street in Bangkok is that you must look out for the cars and not vice versa. In any world-class city, drivers watch for pedestrians and usually stop for them. But here, it’s: “Drivers first, pedestrians beware!” There are moments when you just have to hold your breath: a pedestrian makes it almost halfway into the street, and instead of stopping, a vehicle makes a last-minute manoeuvre to avoid the person and swooshes on by.

Such discourteous behaviour is not limited to drivers, actually. Take a look at the way in which passengers will rush to squeeze onto their bus. Maybe it has to do with the fact that buses usually rush through their stops. Only if bus drivers take passenger safety to heart can this problem be solved.

And believe it or not, some passengers taking the Skytrain and subway still have trouble waiting for people inside to get off first before moving in, despite the presence of those bright yellow arrows clearly indicating where they should stand.

The most chaotic scenes, however, are most commonly seen in the, ahem, ladies’ room. Yes, and especially in department stores. Unless there is a sign telling customers to queue up on a first-come, first-served basis, people simply try their luck by standing in front of a particular stall in the hope that whoever’s inside will be the first one to finish among the others occupied. Seriously, this is not a joke!

But despite all of this commotion, one can still find refuge in, once again ... shopping malls, of course! What else could possibly compare with those spacious and air-conditioned halls lined up with goodies from around the globe? Siam Paragon completes the shopping Mecca that is Bangkok, which some would claim is on a par with or even better than Singapore’s Orchard Road.

But again, the word “Singapore” conjures up images of luxurious greenery, lots of trees and parks alongside the concrete structures. This is exactly what Bangkok needs. We have large parks in certain corners of the city, but we need lots more. They don’t have to be big, they only need to be spread out more through the city.

It’s such a pity that stately trees are almost always uprooted to make way for roads. The lush scenery scattered here and there is decreasing while the numbers of roads and cars turning some roads into absolute eyesores are increasing.

And this is not even taking into account all those entangling electricity wires on super-visible poles and the myriad styles of buildings lined up alongside each other.

Another crucial facility that Bangkok greatly needs in order to become truly world class is an extensive public-library system. Existing libraries are either filled with old books that are out of touch with the majority of this generation’s interests or require a fee to enter. University libraries are reliable but mainly filled with academic texts that may not appeal to the general public, especially youths.

There is no doubt that the availability of books for all to read for free would certainly lead to a more knowledgeable society, because as it is right now only those with enough purchasing power can afford to buy good books.

Having said all this, Bangkok is still a wonderful, vivacious city like nowhere else. Let’s just hope those responsible will transform it in ways that make it even greater!

Veenarat Laohapakakul