A visit to the government fair

A visit to the government fair - November 8, 2004
Wisarut visited the “From Grassroots to Taproots” fair and reports: TRT members have recruited thousands of local folks and students from the rural areas to travel to Bangkok to see Premier Thaksin's exhibit “From Grassroots to Taproots”--with free meals and transportation. This causes editors from ThaiPost, The Nation, Kom Chad Luek, Matichon, Naew Nah, etc. to write very satirical comments on this project.
Premier Thaksin's “From Grassroots to Taproots” (Hall 1-8) and Governor Aphirak's "The Best of Bangkok" (Hall 9-10) are featured at the fair.
Governor Aphirak's "The Best of Bangkok" shows a cutting edge by promising many green trees right from the orchards around Bangkok eastern suburbs and spas along with massages around Bangkok to help people relax. No security with metal doors will be needed.
However, PM Thaksin's “From Grassroots to Taproots” has the cutting edge in that it speaks the same language as most rural folks well as the urban people can relate to. This creates a powerful psychological effect.
...[The fair had a section with] the list of crisis in each year from 2001-2004 that Premier Thaksin has faced. It was presented with a nationalistic tone which pleases rural folks as well as the silent majority in urban areas. When both the silent majority and rural folks talk the same language, NGOs and intellectuals become frightened that the masses will turn against them. However, the Southern insurgency is not in the list since it is not finished yet...
There is also a large model of seven mass transits lines around Bangkok to be implemented in six years.
Of interest to 2Bangkok.com readers are details of a river connection mentioned in an event brochure:
Traffic solutions for Bangkok and vicinity
Water Transportation:
1) New development enabling Sathorn Pier to connect with other transportation systems such as buses [currently, the bus stop nearest to Sathorn Pier is too far away], Skytrain, and Subway [via a joint smart card system]
2) Improve services of the existing canal routes
- Saen Saeb route (Phan Fah Bridge - Pratoonam - Bang Kapi - Wat Sribunruen)
- Memorial Bridge - Phet Kasem 26 (via Phaseecharoen Canal)
- Sathorn - Dao Khanong
- Sathorn - Klong Toei [long tail boats along Chao Phraya River]
[Note: Chaophraya Express is not mentioned.]
3) New canal routes
- Wat Sribunruen - Minburi [revival of the defunct route]
- Dao Khanong - Wat Singh
[This route helps to promote Wat Sai Floating Market and connection with Maeklong Railway]
- Lad Pho Canal - Klong Toei
[Lad Pho Canal is another shortcut in addition to Lad Luang Canal in Phra Padaeng]
- Sathorn - Lad Pho Canal - Phra Padaeng - Pak Nam
- Ying Charoen Market (Saphan Mai) - Ram Khamhaeng
[This partial revival of the old route along Lad Phrao Canal but with the new terminal at Ram Khamhaeng, but it would be a lot better if they could find a way to go along Phra Khanong Canal to end up at Chao Phraya unless Phra Khanaong watergate has been closed for river traffic or the route to Hua Takhe along Prawet Burirom Canal. The best deal of all might be to dig a deep and wide canal linking the moat around Suvannabhum Airport with Prawet Burirom Canal to allow the boat traffic to transport goods from/to the airport as well as for flood control. Boat services need fuel subsidies to keep the system running. No boat service to Sanphawut Pier at Bang Na other than Navy Boat service between RTN HQ and Sanphawut Pier for Navy personnel due to poor bus connections. Only private buses come to Sanphawut Pier with irregular schedules.]