Thai editorial: Giving the pavement back to pedestrians

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Giving the pavement back to pedestrians
The Nation

Bangkok authorities' bid to clear sidewalks of motorbikes, cars and vendors deserves praise, but will it work?

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are taking action in a bid to make Bangkok pavements safe and friendly for pedestrians again. Traffic police have been ordered to get tough with motorcyclists who ride on footpaths, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has banned street vendors from the sidewalks of many roads.

Under their campaign to "make pavements safe and free from vehicles", traffic police last week began slapping fines of between Bt400 and Bt1,000 on errant bikers. On the first day of the crackdown, Wednesday, more than 700 were ticketed for
riding on pavements, mostly in congested areas of the city.

The "tidy sidewalks" policy is targeting parts of the city with a high

concentration of pavement stalls, including Silom, Ramkhamhaeng, Chatuchak, Ratchadamnoen, Khao San, Bobae, Tha Tian and Sukhumvit. Street vending is now prohibited during the day in these areas, with sellers only allowed back after 7pm rather than 5, as was the case previously.

Street vendors affected by the measure have complained that it cuts their hours of business and has led to reduced sales and income. Bangkok pedestrians, however, should feel the benefits as the daily obstacle course of barbecue stalls, noodle outlets and bric-a-brac for sale is swept from their path. But, of course, that depends on effective enforcement of the BMA's order.

As things stand, in many areas stalls hog the pavement and leave little space for pedestrians, forcing them to walk on the road and risk being hit by vehicles.

There are clear boundaries for vendors to set up shop on the pavement, but in many cases these are not enforced. The crowds of customers they can attract, especially at rush hour and peak shopping times, just worsens the spread of the stalls.

Part of the problem lies in an attitude of selfishness. Some of the vendors seem not to care that their actions cause others inconvenience and put them in harm's way. Some take the easier option of plying their trade on crowded pavements close to home, rather than travelling to the spots officially earmarked for them. They also want to sell at times of peak traffic, making busy sidewalks even more congested.

Adding to the problem are the motorcyclists, including motorbike-taxi riders, who use pavements as shortcuts to avoid traffic jams. Pedestrians can find themselves being honked at on the pavement by motorcyclists. And if they don't move fast enough they risk being injured - a fairly frequent occurrence.

Pedestrians also have to deal with the consequences of motorists who choose to park their cars on pavements to avoid parking tickets. The cracked paving stones that often result are just one more obstacle that those on foot must negotiate. Authorities should find ways of restricting access to sidewalks for motorcycles and cars by, for instance, installing metal posts.

Traffic police are too few in number to guard the pavements all day, meaning that many sidewalks are still likely to be invaded by stalls, motorbikes and cars at certain times during the day. Critics also warn that the policy of fining motorcyclists for riding on pavements could become just another opportunity for corrupt cops to take bribes.

But the bid to "return pavements to pedestrians" deserves praise from city residents, who have suffered abuse of their sidewalks for decades. We just hope that the authorities properly enforce the law for the benefit of the city as a whole. Street vendors, motorcyclists and motorists must be made aware that pedestrians have priority on pavements.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Giving-the-pavement-back-to-pedestrians-30248642.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-27

[NongKhaiKid]

The bid will only deserve praise if it's carried out and is sustained not just a token for show.

This has been promised so many times and went nowhere. The article notes it's a decades long problem.

Let's wait and see what happens before throwing praise around as announcing something just isn't enough.

[whybother]

There are clear boundaries for vendors to set up shop on the pavement, but in many cases these are not enforced.

Bingo.

Traffic police are too few in number to guard the pavements all day, meaning that many sidewalks are still likely to be invaded by stalls, motorbikes and cars at certain times during the day.

You don't need to be there all day. You just need the fine to be enough of a deterrent at any time of the day, particularly fines for repeat offenders.

[SABloke]

There are clear boundaries for vendors to set up shop on the pavement, but in many cases these are not enforced.

Bingo.

Traffic police are too few in number to guard the pavements all day, meaning that many sidewalks are still likely to be invaded by stalls, motorbikes and cars at certain times during the day.

You don't need to be there all day. You just need the fine to be enough of a deterrent at any time of the day, particularly fines for repeat offenders.

Last year when they had the annual pavement crackdown, they retracted their ''harsh'' penalties as it was making it difficult for the Scooter Somchais of this world to make a living as the fines were often more than their daily income. RTP logic for ya. Now had they fined those guys consistently, I'm certain my walk to the MRT would have required less weaving today and left me with dry trousers: Those little pricks don't really try to avoid puddles, now do they?

[givenall]

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The bid will only deserve praise if it's carried out and is sustained not just a token for show.

This has been promised so many times and went nowhere. The article notes it's a decades long problem.

Let's wait and see what happens before throwing praise around as announcing something just isn't enough.

Yeah its a joke.

Near our home the police stopped the parking guys to let people park illegally for fee. it only happen one night and these guys are back and asking money so you can park illegally again (surly with police blessings)

[Fiddlesticks]

Part of the problem lies in an attitude of selfishness. Some of the vendors seem not to care that their actions cause others inconvenience and put them in harm's way. Some take the easier option of plying their trade on crowded pavements close to home, rather than travelling to the spots officially earmarked for them. They also want to sell at times of peak traffic, making busy sidewalks even more congested.

WOW! This journalist has captured the essence of the Thai culture in this simple paragraph. One could argue that this is the key to all that is wrong in Thailand, SELFISHNESS.

[rametindallas]

in many areas stalls hog the pavement and leave little space for pedestrians, forcing them to walk on the road and risk being hit by vehicles.

If only the BMA had some type of specialized 'sidewalk cops' to control where and how much space the vendors took up; maybe they could call them 'Thetsakij'.

It's all about the enforcement of long written rules and not turning a blind eye for 100 Baht a day (times however many non-compliant shops are set up in their area).

[Manbing]

I live next to a couple of schools, the street vendors flock in such numbers they crowd the pathways forcing kindergarden and high school children and their parents to walk in the roads.

Classic TIT.

The traffic is becoming so gridlocked these days, I see the parents growing frustrations and increased speed and poor driving decisions.

Accident waiting to happen.

One child will get hurt, things will slow for a day or too and then everything will go back to normal, until the next time.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Manbing

[Thai at Heart]

Thing is, Thai only walk on the footpath to buy stuff.

If there is no stuff they won't walk so I fully expect them to put the stuff all back so that people will walk.

[alantheembalmer]

Personally, I find the hordes of Chinese tourists to be a greater hazard than motorcycles on the pavements.

[Halion]

The majority of pavements in Bangkok are a disgrace and are cracked ,broken and strewn with tripping hazards.

[razer]

Ratchetewi BTS - 100 meter radius - full sight of police box often having police standing around - cars and motorbikes run through red lights - make illegal u tuns - block the zebra crossing - motorbikes moving at 10-20kph on the pavements -

Law is law ... only when there is resolve to enforce it. Otherwise it is only words on paper.

These are noble sentiments that would be good for Bangkok's image but police just don't want to work for no backhand.

Just got back from Hanoi where traffic seems chaotic but it is safer than Bangkok and police are on the streets helping people cross, and moving for hire transporters hustling tourists.

[nong38]

Just having a pavement to walk on would be step forward! Street vendors are a way of life here but it needs managing. As far as motorbikes are concerned they have no place in markets or on the pavement, why it is tollerated is the issue, perhaps the authorites cannot be bothered, after all they are rarely seen in these places for one reason or another.

[pmarlin]

Motorbikes are back on Sukhumvit like always. What crackdown?

[Jimbolai]

How about cleaning up Pattaya?

[Searat7]

In Silom the police are still here but they just sit at their stations on the sidewalk till 7 pm. Would be better to reduce their number and just have officers actually patrolling the area...fining anyone who sets up stalls and perhaps confiscating the stall itself as I have seen done in the past. During light traffic hours the patrols could be done in their pick-up trucks. I just worry that the police will leave completely and everything will revert back to the way it was.

Two changes could be made though: some food stalls in some of the wider sidewalk areas could be allowed during the day and I think the day market could operate Saturday and Sunday when many of the companies here are closed.

[samtam]

Authorities should find ways of restricting access to sidewalks for motorcycles and cars by, for instance, installing metal posts.

They have installed metal posts....wide enough to drive a motorcycle through. I think they are purely decorative. and where they have impeded car parking, they just rip them out of the pavement. A similar crackdown on motorcy using pavements was announced just after the coup, (as well as on traffic violations such as jumping red lights), and well, the "enforcement" requirement goes out the window.

[lucifer666]

This happens in Nigeria. The shops and restaurants, gradually encroach further and further on to the street. There, they are given one warning and if that is ignored ( usually is) the Police come and smash the whole lot down and confiscate everything.Saw it happen several times.

[FATOZ]

Ratchetewi BTS - 100 meter radius - full sight of police box often having police standing around - cars and motorbikes run through red lights - make illegal u tuns - block the zebra crossing - motorbikes moving at 10-20kph on the pavements -

Law is law ... only when there is resolve to enforce it. Otherwise it is only words on paper.

These are noble sentiments that would be good for Bangkok's image but police just don't want to work for no backhand.

Just got back from Hanoi where traffic seems chaotic but it is safer than Bangkok and police are on the streets helping people cross, and moving for hire transporters hustling tourists.

There is one big difference between Hanoi and Bangkok. In Hanoi there may be chaotic traffic, but it moves slowly and the drivers actively try not to kill pedestrians, they will go around them, whereas in Bangkok if you are stupid enough to try and cross the road the drivers will not slow down or try to avoid you

[iReason]

"Traffic police have been ordered to get tough with motorcyclists who ride on footpaths..."

How will they get to their parking space on the footpaths then?

[worgeordie]

I can see Bangkok been as squeaky clean as Singapore

in the near future

regards Worgeordie

[jamiesilver]

Ill tell you something

After visiting Hong Kong i seriously missed the street stalls that can be found just about everywhere in Thailand. Yes walking around does require more dodging and a few minutes more time, but its also convenient to not have to walk half a mile to buy some sausages, some sticky rice or a drink of fresh fruit juice. I think moderation is the key!

[rondii]

Motorcycles on pavement, sure, stop it

But the stalls, food etc are Bangkok..keep em.

If I want Singapore or Sydney I'll move there

[superal]

It has to be said that the majority of pavements throughout Thailand are of poor quality with many tripping hazards and drops or steps down to cross a road of

400mm /16 inches plus I dread to think how a disabled tourist in a wheelchair or young mothers with babies in their buggies can cope . Or maybe they take

their chances and use the road as many pedestrians do or maybe bypass Thailand altogether .

[ChrisY1]

How about cleaning up Pattaya?

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Agree......clean it up with fire......,!!

[smellthecoffee]

Overpasses for bikes like they have on dual carriageways I thought was a wonderful idea rather than driving your bike 3 km to do a U turn. If you take the temptation away people wont do it. One thinks this might be a bit too organized for the Thais as it involves government funds being spent on the people directly when it's clearly there to be stolen instead.

[kennw]

Want to make a fortune in fines? try the soi between Sukhumvit 4 and 6, normally 10 to 12 taxis illegally parked looking only for no-meter tourists jaunts and since the soi is so narrow the motorbikes (travelling both ways in the one-way soi) cant pass so jump to the footpath. Dare to confront them at your own risk!. Of course Lumpini's finest are just around the corner and ride by often without seeing a thing. Maybe too busy with other business.

[Jonmarleesco]

'Traffic police have been ordered to get tough with motorcyclists who ride on footpaths ...' As should be expected, a total 'cop'-out. I walked late yesterday afternoon, from Exchange Tower to Emporium. The idea of taking photos is an utter farce; a video camera would be more appropriate. As for the police getting tough, Crap! Two were just getting on a motorcycle on the corner of soi 18, with motorcyclists crossing right in front of them, from pavement to pavement; another was on the corner of soi 20, and could hardly have missed a pavement motorcycle coming straight at him from the direction of Emporium.

[SRC]

There are clear boundaries for vendors to set up shop on the pavement, but in many cases these are not enforced.

Bingo.

Traffic police are too few in number to guard the pavements all day, meaning that many sidewalks are still likely to be invaded by stalls, motorbikes and cars at certain times during the day.

You don't need to be there all day. You just need the fine to be enough of a deterrent at any time of the day, particularly fines for repeat offenders.

i think this is true in many cases. If there's no reason to change, and there's money in it, change won't happen. Warn, ticket, then fine the hell out of repeat offenders. Wow what a concept. Can we do this to politicians ? I wish.

[thaibeachlovers]

I'd be happy if there even were any pavements in the local town I live in.

Unfortunately, there are none, so you have to walk in the street anyway. I guess they think that only idiots walk anywhere, so why provide pavements.

Also, there are no parking spaces on the sides of the roads, so everyone parks in the street, blocking traffic.