PM orders improvement of city's buses

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday ordered authorities concerned to improve conditions, safety and services of Bangkok's public buses.

The prime minister instructed Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal to oversee the improved conditions and services of the city's buses run or supervised by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee told a press conference after Tuesday's cabinet weekly meeting here.

Mr. Suriya, who is also Industry Minister, oversees the Ministry of Transport.

"The prime minister suggested that conditions and safety of many BMTA buses need improvement, while their engines should be converted to be national gas for vehicles (NGV)-based, rather than diesel-based," said Dr. Surapong.

Mr. Thaksin also reportedly suggested procurements of new buses, particularly the air-conditioned ones.

According to official figures, about 70 per cent of the city's public buses have passed an overall engine check-up provided by the Ministry of Transport recently.

--TNA 2005-11-29

Hope he dosnt take away the little green ones...all part of the mystic and adventure that is Bangkok.(especially if you know where they run to)

Also you meet a very nice/different class of passenger on these late night experiences...

theres a whole load of london red double deckers going spare just at 8000 each .

all with new engines . must be better than whats runing around BKK .

Bit of useless info...but last time I was working in Baghdad their local bus services comprised of big Red London Double deckers.

Suspect Maybe Ken (mayor) flogged them off to Sadi the first time around.