Baht Buses

I know before I start this article on Baht Buses that it will change nothing because of mafias and vested interests but at least it will make me feel better. I also have little time for the many resident 'farang' in Thailand who write to the Bangkok Post Letters Page to tell the Thais how to run their country. That said, a slow news day has got me on this little soapbox to rant about a pet peeve.

What's my peeve? Here goes. In the low season there are far too many Baht Buses on the roads of Pattaya. Count how many empty Baht Buses are queuing at traffic lights. Watch them crawl along in the slow lanes of Beach Road, Pattaya Klang, Second and Third Roads searching for fares and as a result, turning dual carriageways into single lane roads. Read the reports in the Pattaya press of accidents involving Baht Buses. Pattaya News is reporting on one such story here.

What's the answer? Well it's been proposed before and it's worth a reprise. All Baht Buses carry a unique City Hall registration number, (usual stenciled in red on the side), and these numbers could be used to introduce a scheme whereby odd numbered buses work one day and even numbered buses the next. I don't think it is realistic to use number plates as I suspect it wouldn't take long for Baht Bus owners to have two sets of plates. Before the Baht Bus owners/drivers start demonstrating about loss of income they could quite possibly make more money with this scheme. On working days, with half the number of buses on the roads, they would have far more passengers and on the days when they don't work, there will be no wear and tear on the bus and no outlay on diesel/petrol/gasohol whilst driving around empty. Less pollution would obviously be a welcome side benefit.

Of course, if I wanted to be really radical, I would only allow Tuk Tuks in the Entertainment Zone. They are more suited to the narrow sois of Pattaya and they are uniquely Thai which is what you need in a tourist resort. Tuk Tuks are point to point, like motor cycle taxis, which is easy for tourists to understand. How many tourists have walked because they simply couldn't work out if a Baht Bus was going their way.

Is it just me? Click on the comments link below and let me know what you think.


Sierra Tangos

• The 50 Greatest Sex Scenes In The Cinema
  

• Knappe

• Seen on a Leeds Utd supporter's T-shirt: 2004 Premiership; 2005 Championship; 2006 Sinkingship; 2007 Abandonship
  

• A True NZ - It's the final of the rugby world Cup, and a man makes his way to his seat in the best viewing position in the stand. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there. "No,"says the neighbor. "The seat is empty". "This is incredible", said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for final game of the World Cup and not use it?" The neighbor says "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first World Cup we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967. "Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?" The man shakes his head "No, they're all at the funeral".

• Only Thai Teens - No, I'm not suggesting you do a Gary Glitter and no, I'm not suggesting you join. Agree/Enter to see a thumbnail gallery of the teens. Impressive

Try AuctionAds