The Bangkok Metropolitan Region is synonymous with unprecedented growth as well as with traffic conditions which rival the worst in the world. The current transportation situation has evolved quickly, yet planners, international donors, and many government leaders were not unaware of the magnitude of the evolving problem. The federal and municipal governments have at their disposal a number of state-of-the-art transportation plans but seem unable to implement the most important of the recommendations. In this paper Bangkok's transportation woes are described in terms of the obstacles that face the agencies charged with implementing improvements. The discussion is focused on institutional issues as well as the political structure responsible for much of the current crisis.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeckerT, 1987, “Bangkok seeks solutions to urban blight”Investor544–47
2.
BrennanD P, 1993, “Urban land and housing issues facing the Third World”, in Third World Cities: Problems, Policies and Prospects Eds KasardaJParnellA M, (Sage, Newbury Park, CA) pp 74–91
3.
BunbongkarnS, 1993, “Thailand in 1992: In search of a democratic order”Asian Survey33218–223
Economist1991b, “Supplement: Thailand: Standing out in Asia”, 20–26 July, pages 3–5
6.
EgedyG, 1988, “Thailand: Stability and change in a bureaucratic polity”, DP-248, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton
7.
GirlingJ L S, 1981Thailand: Society and Politics (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY)
8.
HF&A, 1985, “The Bangkok Metropolitan Short Term Urban Transport Review”, study by Halcrow Fox & Associates for National Economic and Social Development Board (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
9.
HF&A, 1991a, “Seventh Plan Urban and Regional Transport: Transport issues”, WP-3, Halcrow Fox & Associates (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
10.
HF&A, 1991b, “Seventh Plan Urban and Regional Transport: Implementation of transportation plan”, WP-14, Halcrow Fox & Associates (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
11.
HF&A/PP&KP/AECC, 1991, “Seventh Plan Urban and Regional Transport (SPURT): Final report”, study by Halcrow Fox & Associates/Pak Poy & Kneebone Proprietary Ltd/Asian Engineering Consultants Corporation Ltd for National Economic and Social Development Board (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
12.
HusseyA, 1993, “Rapid industrialization in Thailand 1986–1991”The Geographical Review8314–28
13.
IPA, 1990Immovable Property Act, B.E. 2007 (International Translations, Bangkok)
14.
JICA, 1990, “Medium to Long Term Road Improvement Plan: Main report”, report SSFCR(3)-90-47(2), Japan International Cooperation Agency (Government of Japan, Tokyo)
15.
KeyesC F, 1987Thailand, Buddist Kingdom as Modern Nation-state (Westview Press, Boulder, CO)
16.
KocksF H, 1975, “Bangkok transportation study final report”, Office for the Committee for the Management of Road Traffic (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
17.
NakataT, 1987, “Political culture: Problems of development of democracy”, in Government and Politics of Thailand Ed. XutoS, (Oxford University Press, Singapore) pp 168–195
18.
NSO, 1992Economic and Social IndicatorsNational Statistical Office, Office of the Prime Minister (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
19.
PADCO/LIFT, 1990, “Bangkok land and housing market assessment—final report”, study by Planning and Development Collaborative International and the Land Institute Foundation of Thailand for Regional Housing and Urban Development Office for Asia, United States Agency for International Development, and the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand (Government of Thailand, Bangkok)
20.
PikeN, 1990, “A mass rapid transit system for Bangkok”Highways and Transportation3721–26
21.
PunpuingS, 1993, “Correlates of commuting patterns: A case-study of Bangkok, Thailand”Urban Studies30527–546
22.
RatchapolsitteS, 1989, “The development of transport planning in Bangkok”, in Transport Policy, Management and Technology Towards 2001. Volume II. Selected Proceedings of the Fifth World Conference on Transport Research in YokohamaWestern Periodicals, Ventura, CA) pp 407–420
23.
SussmanJBonsignoreR, 1993, “Urban congestion in Bangkok: A framework for immediate action and for a strategic plan”, working paper, Strategic Planning for Metropolitan Bangkok, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
24.
WallaceC, 1994, “Warning: All roads lead to Asian cities”Los Angeles Times 5 January, pp 27–28
25.
WilsonJ Q, 1989Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies do and Why They do it (Basic Books, New York)
26.
XutoS, 1987Government and Politics of Thailand (Oxford University Press, Singapore)
