BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Solutions to traffic congestion, pollution, rising crime and development of mass transport are high on the agenda of demands for the next Bangkok governor to solve, according to an academic poll of city voters.
In a survey of 1,500 eligible voters in all 50 Bangkok districts last week, the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) reported that 42 per cent of respondents wanted an improved traffic system for the capital 16 per cent called for expanded mass transport in all areas of the city and slightly over 10 per cent raised the issue of crime and the security of the property as issues in their lives.
Other concerns included water, air and noise pollution, garbage and clogged floodwater drainage (7.5 per cent), economic development to compete with Southeast Asian countries (5.5 per cent), improved knowledge about on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), improved language skills and knowledge (5.40 per cent), and improved image for Bangkok including solutions to political disorder, homeless, vagrants and roadside sellers (nearly 6 per cent).
On the feasibility of developing Bangkok as the city to become the hub of ASEAN’s AEC, 54 per cent said the possibility was at medium range while 35 per cent were optimistic that the potential is high and 10 per cent were pessimistic.
Sompoj Kannuj of the NIDA Faculty of Social and Environment Development said the poll results reflected Bangkokians’ desire for real solutions to many of the problems especially the city’s traffic clogged streets.
Commuting is one of the economic factors in doing business and daily life, but no candidate for Bangkok governor has clearly addressed the issue– including town planning– to cope with the city’s expansion, he said.
