• 
• 

Published on January 17, 2008

Have any of you have ever wondered what you get in return?

I don't mean to counter the JFK quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Yet if our money - which keeps the bureaucratic and infrastructure system alive - is not properly used, I think we deserve the right to ask why.

For people in Bangkok, things look good with the government's plan to proceed with urban train development. Since last year, they have also benefited from the opening of the Southern Ring Road, which significantly eased traffic on the main tollway.

I also admired the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for its grave concerns about the safety standards of fun parks in the capital city. It's so good to know that the BMA - always after accidents - is really active in investigating the issue. It may come as a shock to those who have children that yesterday, 11 fun parks out of 32 were found to be operating without a licence.

It's good to know that at a meeting yesterday, the BMA council raised concerns over safety standards. They also acknowledged that the BMA always acts after accidents.

There is an old Thai adage: "Wua hai lom kok" (When you lose the cow, then you fix the fence). The English equivalent is: "Closing the barn door after the cow is gone."

Or: doing the right thing too late after an emergency.

It is generally known that something terrible must first happen before the authorities pay any attention. So don't be surprised that whenever an old building catches fire, there ritually follows an investigation of fire safety standards.

Keeping the Thai adage in mind, it is unsurprising why Thais launch few complaints.

Indeed, people want better law enforcement to ensure a better quality of life. Amid the mushrooming growth of housing estates in Bangkok, there is a big question of whether they come under any scrutiny to ensure proper living standards for their residents.

At some estates, there are no resident committees. But since this is low-priced housing, no one pays attention, and residents there must deal with a variety of inconveniences. Who will take care of the leaking central water pipeline? What if a house is turned into a small business venue that creates noise and other types of pollution? What if your neighbour regularly plays music too loudly?

Certainly, no resident wants to notify the police, knowing that they always demand the names of those filing complaints. If you give them your name, you are effectively waging open war with your neighbours.

It would be a great year for Bangkok residents if the BMA would look into these problems. Certainly, taxpayers would not mind paying more money to the government if they knew they were assured of better services.

achara_d@nationgroup.com