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Published on April 4, 2008

Like deputy governor Panich Vikitsreth said, since the condominiums are located along the train routes, residents can use the Skytrain or underground to commute to work.

Panich said this would reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Meanwhile, as developers can turn the parking lots into more residential units, the unit prices will be cheaper.

Wow! It's time for Bangkok to upgrade itself to be on par with a global metropolis like New York or London.

But one may doubt whether this ban will work.

For one thing, the new measure would be applied only to new buildings, while residents of existing buildings would keep the privilege of their own private parking lots. If a new building is put up right next to an old one, wouldn't this raise discontent among the residents?

And currently we have only two train routes, which serve a limited area. What if the offices of the condo dwellers are far from these two routes? How will they get to work without their cars?

Moreover, what if they want to own a car to visit a second home in the provinces every weekend? In that case, where will they park their cars during weekdays? Will the BMA be generous enough to build more park-and-ride spots and charge a special rate for week-long parking?

But they may not need either personal cars or park-and-ride facilities. These people could go to car rental companies. The rates are not too expensive. But it would look funny if they have to rent a car or ride a taxi to visit their friends who don't live along the rail routes.

Riding in a taxi from Chidlom to Pattanakarn would cost them nearly Bt200, inclusive of the toll fee. Plus, it would be more than good luck to get a cab in which the driver is polite enough not to talk over his mobile phone, turn up the radio to mute passengers' voices in the back or regularly clear his throat as if ready to spit. And if you can find a polite driver, he may be one of those who decline to take you to your destination.

Gee! I really want to see this law come true. However, it might take years, and Panich's term will end in August when Governor Apirak Kosayodhin leaves office. Will yet another brilliant idea wither on the vine?

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation