Thai PM Opens Bicycle Lanes around Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island

BANGKOK, December 28 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha presided over the opening of bicycle lanes around Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island Sunday morning, urging people to switch to riding bicycle because it could save energy and conserve environment. Gen. Prayut said during the opening ceremony his government supports riding bicycles in the capital. Concerned government agencies have prepared bicycle lanes as a gift for the people and they hope that more people would switch to riding it. Motorists should provide space for bicyclists while concerned agencies should also arrange more routes for them, said the prime minister. The bicycle lanes cover 12 roads with the total distance of eight kilometres around Rattanakosin Island where the famous Emerald Buddha Temple is located and is visited by foreign tourists as well as locals. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has improved roads used as bicycle lanes for the safety of bicyclists in line with the government’s policy encouraging more people to ride bicycle. As cars are also seen parked in several areas of bicycle lanes, Gen. Prayut said consultation is being made with BMA governor and more spaces would have to be provided for car parking in future. (TNA)