Bangkok sometimes has “car free days”. Although, you probably won’t notice these days when you’re in Bangkok, because they’re not really car free. The streets are still full of cars, you still can spend hours in traffic jams.
However, it is a nice symbolic gesture, and it helps to spread awareness for the fact that there just are too many cars for too little streets in Bangkok right now. And it’s a sign that Bangkok could be a way lovelier city if there were less cars.
(It’s kind of ironic though that the Thai government has just announced that first-time car buyers will get a tax break when they buy a new car, which will lead to lots of new cars on the streets…)
The next Bangkok Car Free day is on September 18, 2011. People get on bicycles and tour through different parts of the city together. It’s a great alternative way of Bangkok sightseeing, while at the same time making a social statement.
Here’s the schedule for September 18:
0600 – 0630: Registration and distribution of t-shirts/gifts/breakfast
for participants at 9 locations around Bangkok; caravans of bicycles
start off toward the Royal Plaza.
0800 : Main group gathering at Royal Plaza; singing of the National
Anthem together with participants from 76 provinces nationwide; start
riding toward Sanam Luang.
0830 – 0900: Formal opening ceremony at Sanam Luang.
0900 – 0930: Group ride on Thammasat University Campus
1200: Lunch / Exhibitions / Shops with bicycle-related products /
“Non-Motor Shows”
1400 – 1500: Panel discussion on cycling issues at Thammasat
University Conference Hall
1700: Closing
There are different gathering points:
- Royal Plaza (King Rama V Statue/Suan Amphorn)
- Sukhumvit area: Benjasiri Park next to Emporium Mall
- Phetkasem area: The Mall Bangkhae
- Ladprao area: Rajamangala Stadium (Huamark)
- Rama 2 area: Thonburirom Park
- Phaholyothin area: Pratu Krungthep Market
- Phuttamonthon area: Uttayarn Road
- TOT Chaeng Watthana Road Laksi
- Ramintra-At Narong Rd. World Bike
For more details & registration you can visit this website.
Also, if you register in advance you can get an official Bangkok Car Free day shirt.
It’s probably no surprise that the Bangkok Sightseeing team is in love with this city. But if there is one problem, it’s that the streets are always stuck full with cars, blasting fumes in the air. So we’ll be out there too, and if you’re there, we’d be glad to invite you for a nice, refreshing fruit shake!