Show your support of Thailand's Flag Bill
This one is even more bonkers than the idea of the Bangkok superwall. About two weeks ago, a law was proposed that would see drivers having to stop their cars twice a day when the national anthem is played at 8 am and 6 pm. I’ve been waiting to hear about an update on this story, but the law appears to have reached a stumbling block after opponents of the proposal pointed out that such a law would cause chaos on the roads.
The Flag Bill is the brainchild of a group of retired and active generals in the National Legislative Assembly – in other words, it’s a bunch of old dudes who don’t drive their own cars. “The national anthem lasts only one minute and eight seconds,” said retired general Pricha Rochanasena, 70.
Those 68 seconds would bring the entire country to a standstill – or not. We’ve all seen those Thais at the BTS station who, when the anthem starts playing, shuffle onto an escalator while nobody is watching. Are these people really going to stop their cars in the middle of the road?
What about at traffic lights? Stop? Go? Crash!
“Why can't motorists stop their cars for the sake of the country? They already spend more time in traffic jams anyway,” said K. Pricha. Sound logic there. The junta obviously hand picked this bunch.
As with most things, the idea has gone for review by a committee. Thais seem to spend a lot of time forming committees or sending things for review.
In Phuket at the moment, there is a new Tesco-Lotus store under construction. The locals are fiercely against the construction, but as of yet, nobody has been able to work out if the issue falls under the jurisdiction of Cherng Talay Municipality or the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization, (OrBorTor). After a meeting last month, the matter was sent to the governor.
A month later, there was another meeting where a possible legislative violation on the part of Tesco was discussed, went unresolved and was passed onto the governor with no mention of the jurisdiction issue. Next month there will be another meeting.
I expect that we won’t hear another thing about the Flag Bill and it will be lost in an endless cycle of meetings. It’s a shame, because it would have been hilarious seeing officials attempt to implement the law.
I’m hereby announcing my support of the Flag Bill. Anybody with me?
That's the screwiest idea I've ever heard! They can't be serious!
Can they?
(laughing out loud)
I don't understand how the Thais are supposed to syncronize their watches, or is it blasted at sufficient volume to penetrate everyone's cars? Or is it going to be played on the radio? The logistics are staggering…
I propose a system of brain implants that would simultaneously be triggered at 8 am and 6 pm causing a deafening sound in the ears for 68 seconds, forcing people to stop their cars.
This is hilarious; I'm sure Bedwyr will love this one! If I was a member of Parliament, I'd put forth the Moniker Bill, aimed at changing Thailand's slogan of "Land of Smiles" to "Thailand: The Ridiculous Nation."
And what about airplanes?
Funny plan, but not very realistic. Smokescreens for the coming elections?
That's a good point. And longtail boat too. Will they have to stop? And what about people walking next to cars? And dogs and cats? I think these are minor problems.
'I’m hereby announcing my support of the Flag Bill. Anybody with me?'
YES i am! VERY smart idea, that way pedestrians would have at least 68seconds, 2 times a day to cross the road without risks! or…. do they have to stop also?
'opponents of the proposal pointed out that such a law would cause chaos on the roads.'
opponents probably only walks inside malls
Yep, Bedwyr was indeed scoffing away on this for ages. This crackpot scheme hit the streets a couple of weeks or so ago – ust another bunch of sycophants and old farts trying to show they love the King more than anyone else, but with sufficient stupidity/senility not to be able to recognise how ridiculous they do in fact look.
Still, all goes to show.. you can put a monkey in a uniform and call it Sir, but it's still a monkey.
Beddie the Wyr
mjk, fully supported. I laughed like a drain when I saw someone replace LOS (Land of Smiles) with LOIG (Land of the Idiot Grin) a while back.
Tip to note when dealing with grinning Thais: don't look at the mouth. Look at the eyes and notice how many are just… well, vacant, or have that uniquely Thai 'confused' look.
Beddie the Wyr
Nice one, Matt.
There's a theme of Thai politics which Sanitsuda Ekachai, Bangkok Post's best columnist would call ethnocentric nationalism that focuses on Thainess, Buddhism and the monarchy. You secure your political identity by pushing these principles as aggressively as possible and I think the flag bill falls into this category.
It would be better if they walked the middle path in this respect and held back a bit on loopiness.
Keep writing!
Andrew Hicks