A proposed new law to boost patriotism in Thailand would be "chaotic" because it would require motorists to stop when the national anthem is played twice a day, lawmakers have said.

A vote on the Flag Bill proposed by a group of retired and active duty generals in the army-appointed parliament was deferred to allow a committee to study it.

"It would be chaotic if the bill had passed as it is now.

Traffic chaos: A new Thai law requires motorists to stop twice a day for national anthem

"So the National Legislative Assembly decided to set up a panel to review it," NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak told Reuters.

The bill's supporters say road traffic should stop nationwide when the anthem is played during the raising and lowering of the flag "to preserve tradition and instil patriotism in Thais".

"The national anthem lasts only one minute and eight seconds, so why can't motorists stop their cars for the sake of the country?," retired General and NLA member Pricha Rochanasena, 70, told Reuters.

"They already spend more time in traffic jams anyway," he said, referring to Bangkok's notoriously congested streets.

Most Thais already stop what they are doing and stand still when the national anthem is played on loudspeakers in train stations, parks and office buildings at 8 a.m and 6 p.m.

Pricha said the bill, which did not propose penalties for violators, would allow motorists to be patriotic too.

This is just something else to try to justify their existence. Politicians and military people with entirely too much time on their hands.

There is a big difference between being patriotic and respecting ones country and being completely dogmatic.

So, for the thousands of people not listening to the radio, but who are listing to a tape, CD, or watching a video, it might be confusing.

I think all mobile phone calls should be electronically jabbed for that time as well. They might want to consider stopping surgeries in hospitals as well?

What next airplanes?

the new law won't cause chaos and, because it doesn't carry any penalties, won't be obeyed - somehow I don't see anybody stopping their cars now

anyway, as an absolutly stupid law proposal, won't be voted by the new parliament

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