Bangkok traffic jams may plague Asian Games

Asian Economic News, Oct 26, 1998

BANGKOK, Oct. 22 Kyodo In the final days before December's Asian Games, organizers are worried that Bangkok's notorious traffic congestion could be the biggest roadblock to success.

Plans to deal with the traffic are expected to be in place in mid-November -- less than a month before the start of the Dec. 6-20 games, but that has not eased organizers concerns that it still could cause difficulties for Asian Games athletes, officials and fans.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Bhichai Rattakul, chairman of the Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee, told Kyodo News on Wednesday that traffic ranked as his first concern in making the final arrangements for the games.

Bhichai had earlier been preoccupied with a number of organizational deadlines that had not been met and problems related to the completion of a private-owned sports complex to be used as one of the main venues for the Bangkok Games.

The organizing committee stepped in to help a cash-strapped real estate developer building the Muang Thong Thani Sports Complex to ensure that the construction of the complex and the installation of the sports equipment remained on schedule.

Even with the completion of the three main sports complexes now ensured, the 72-year-old deputy premier finds that he still cannot sleep well at night, saying, ''We now have to work hard on the traffic planning. I am still worrying.'' The expressways, a tollway and highways intended to handle the traffic for the games have nearly been completed, but some questions remain over whether the deadlines can be met.

Bhichai pointed to an overpass at the junction of Rama IX Road and Ramkhamhaeng Road, the site of the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies.

''It may be completed in late November,'' he said, although the projected deadline is Nov. 15.

Traffic planning has been under the supervision of the police department chief and the Bangkok traffic commission, but Bhichai added the organizing committee has also employed a consultant to look at the plans and make suggestions.

''The detailed traffic plan will be finalized only by some time late this month or by no later than mid-November,'' a member of the organizers' traffic committee said.

The traffic committee projects that Bangkok's traffic congestion will be reduced by 10% of normal because the cabinet has ordered all schools to be closed from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20 during the games.

Bangkok metropolitan authorities have also agreed to ban street vendors along Ramkhamhaeng Road on Dec. 6 and Dec. 20, when the opening and closing ceremonies to take place at Hua Mark Stadium.

''We need the sidewalks for people to walk on in case the shuttle buses are not enough to accommodate all of the spectators to and from the venue,'' an organizing committee official said.

Some 60,000 spectators are expected to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, officials said.

''No private cars and motorcycles will be allowed in and around the venues. We will provide parking areas for those vehicles and people will have to use public transportation (from the parking areas to the venues),'' an official explained.

Some 2,500 public buses and trains will be mobilized for the Asian Games events. They will be running along special routes between each sports venue and the parking areas for public convenience.

The special bus services will be available between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. during the games.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand also plan to introduce special bus-train tickets, which will allow passengers unlimited access during the Asian Games, the state-run agencies said.

The tickets will cost 50, 250, and 400 baht for unlimited access with a day pass, a week pass and a pass for the entire 16-day event, respectively, according to the transit authority.

Coaches will be arranged for athletes, officials and media from their athlete villages, hotels and other accommodations to the competition venues, they said.