Thai traffic back to gridlock as coronavirus measures ease

[snoop1130]

Thai traffic back to gridlock as coronavirus measures ease

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

A traffic is seen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand May 18, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Cars, trucks and motorcycles jostled on Monday in a return of the Thai capital's familiar gridlock as commuters headed back to work in the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions to get the economy back on track.

 

As snarl-ups grew in Bangkok's notoriously congested streets, travelers headed to its northern bus terminal to get out to the provinces for the first time since March, most sitting beside empty seats, in line with social distancing rules.

 

"I've been waiting to go home for many months. I'm glad to finally be able to do so," said Ratchari Maneenop, 22, who was heading to her home province of Loei in the northeast.

 

Thailand reported three new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking confirmed cases to 3,031 since January, with 56 deaths.

 

But restrictions on commerce and transport have battered tourism, household spending and private investment, leaving a dent in Thailand's economy, which contracted at its sharpest pace in eight years in the first quarter, pushing it into recession sooner than expected.

 

Bus driver Boonsong Misa said he was thrilled to be back on the road.

 

"I've stopped working since March 8, it's been two months already," he said at the bus terminal. "I'm glad that I get to do the job I love again."

 

Queues formed on Sunday at the reopening of Thailand's malls, where some operators using touch-less elevators and deploying robots to take customers' temperatures.

 

Even though Thailand has been reporting fewer coronavirus cases in recent weeks, the government is keeping closed places that typically attract large groups of people, such cinemas.

 

Passenger flights have been halted until the end of June.

 

"Do not sit" signs have been posted on many of the seats on Bangkok's elevated train network to give sufficient gaps between passengers and floor markers are in place to control lines.

 

There were similar traffic jams in the Philippines, with trucks and private vehicles pouring into the capital Manila, which started a "modified" lockdown. Some businesses and offices are allowed to reopen, but public transport remains suspended, leaving many workers in the lurch.

 

"I've been waiting for over 30 minutes, hoping to get a ride," said commuter Rolan Obani.

 

"My work is very important to me."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-18

 

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[hotchilli]

Life as we knew it returns... expect road accidents & PM2.5 levels to rise.

[newnative]

   The MRT in Bangkok needs to re-think things--at least at the Phetchaburi station.  I was there yesterday and it was having people stand in about 10 lines of around 10 people each to wait to be allowed to go down the escalators to the subway.  Absolutely no social distancing.  So, around 100 or more commuters standing closely-packed for who knows how long until it is their turn to go down.  In this case, it would probably be better to just let the commuters sort it out for themselves than do this asinine plan.  I was just passing through so I don't know what happens when you finally get down to the platform itself--but likely more closely-packed lines to wait for the too-short trains.