This morning was the third morning in a row that the traffic along Phaya Thai Road to MBK was stopped for some dignitary to pass. Coincidentally, today is also the third morning in a row that I have been late to work. Coincidence? I think not.

While I can understand the occaisonal need to stop traffic, the recent regularity is turning into a major inconvenience. Don’t they realise how bad traffic already is and that what they are doing is just making it worse?

I question the need for a cavalcade as it is. If so-and-so important person needs to get from A to B in such a rush, there are always helicopters (especially since cost doesn’t seem to be an obstacle). Using a helicopter would save a lot of time and money for everyone involved, while also acting as a deterrent for needless cavalcades (low-level and mid-level government officials – I’m talking to you). To make matters worse, visiting celebrities often request (and are granted) a cavalcade, causing even more traffic congestion.

I’ve got an idea on how to fix the traffic, so I hope Thaksin is going to read this (he can use this as one of his rehashed election promises, royalty free) – reduce the amount of cars on the road and enforce road rules (accepting 100 Baht to ‘let it slide’ is not enforcement). It would be nice if something could be done about the noxious fumes spewing from the tail-pipe of many vehicles too.

Anyway, I just felt like complaining.