Bus symphony
Re: "Anutin says election win within reach", "Abhisit visits Songkhla, warns about vote buying", (BP, Feb 3). Having taken in many articles about Thailand's general election, I'm certain Thai voters cannot choose wrongly with so many wonderful, gifted candidates. May the best man win, I would say.
That being said, since I no longer can drive, I am bus reliant, and it is my hope the next prime minister will listen to what I call the "Bangkok Busted Bus Philharmonic".
The unmistakable orchestral suite includes the sound of loose, rattling, decades-old wooden floorboards where you can stick through your heels, as in, use your feet instead of wheels.
This is punctuated by grinding, shaking gears which no longer can double-clutch correctly and the frequent BOOM of exhaust backfires.
Not to mention the jazz suite of passengers choking on clouds of diesel smoke, the crackle of electronic switches which have been rigged for the umpteenth time and, on some pink buses, the screech of rusted frame rails & rusted bumpers which could give way upon motorcycle drivers beside us at any moment.
As a frequent rider, I have grown used to this one-of-a-kind symphony, but it is clearly time for change. I suggest having people like me who build engines convert the few remaining good buses over to gasoline or natural gas, which is good on emissions.
I also suggest putting Thailand's auto manufacturers to work and building our own simple, open-air, brand new bus fleet.
That requires a 7.4-litre V-8, simple throttle-body fuel injection, and 6-speed plus overdrive transmission, blessed with the love-&-care of a political leader who has the will to make change.
