In the past 10 months, 419,755 vehicles have been sold countrywide. Notably, the figure represents a 17.7-per-cent drop year on year, but considering that land is limited for new road construction, it is astonishing how our roads can accommodate all those new cars.
Still, demand is picking up, as consumers see economic improvement.
That's not surprising. Everybody wants to have his own car. Despite the running costs, a personal car can get rid of many problems associated with life without wheels.
For those in the capital without a car, the most common means of transportation are taxis and public buses. For those in other cities, it's tuk-tuks and pickups modified as public buses with two bench seats.
Of course, for those who can afford the fares, they would opt to take air-conditioned taxis over buses, to beat the notorious smoke and noise.
But annoyances crop up from the moment you try to hail a cab.
First, you have to find the right spot to catch the attention of passing taxis, as unlike European cities, most taxis do not wait at taxi stands. Then, unlike taxis in Europe, you can't just open the door, get in and give directions. Taxis here prefer to drive in short circles. The more they can reset the meter, the more money they will make. It's a nuisance for those who have to travel far from the inner city.
It's surprising that many taxi drivers are so choosy despite the fierce competition from the rising number of vehicles.
Problems do not end when the drivers agree to take you. Once you get in the car, you are entering into the driver's personal world. In Tokyo, taxi drivers are dressed in white suits and gloves and a nice cap. With their uniforms, they could be the chauffeurs of any minister. In Bangkok? Despite a uniform code, many wear worn-out jeans and T-shirts. It looks as if they're heading to the beach with their families, not to work.
Instead of tuning in to radio stations that play soft music, some cabbies play their favourite CDs. It could be worse if they like loud music. I guess all pray that Bangkok creates a radio station particularly for commuters, and all the public buses and taxis are forced to tune in to this channel.
Some drivers cough without covering their mouths. Some shift their bodies in discomfort, when learning that traffic on the agreed route is worse than expected or when passengers talk to friends or on mobile phones for a long time.
Taxi drivers anywhere usually offer to lift heavy bags, particularly for women passengers. But not here. Still, they hope for tips. Without tips, they just take the liberty to add them onto the fare, when not having enough change.
Now that taxis are also popular with tourists and expatriates, it is embarrassing that these nuisances go uninterrupted. The longer this remains, the more notorious Bangkok will be.
I can't help thinking that if taxi services were up to standard, fewer people would buy new cars - and then pollution problem here may be contained.