The Expressway Authority of Thailand of Thailand (EXAT) is teaming up with TOT to set up free Wi-Fi networks on the highways of Bangkok.
Why they think this is a good idea, with Thailand’s already extremely high death rates on the roads, is unclear.
Although, let’s face it, the expressways are frequently so gridlocked that no one’s going to be crashing into anything at high speed. At least drivers will be able to share traffic information on Google – they’re already doing so at one of the highest rates in the world.
EXAT Governor Aiyarat Thinapai promised that riders on the expressways would be able to connect to free Wi-Fi within three months, The Nation reported. Drivers and passengers will be able to access the network on first and second-phase highways, but when they return to surface streets the connection will be cut, he said. Thank God.
Police were apparently unaware of the announcement as Expressway Traffic Control superintendent Pol Colonel Khajornkiat Sipan said he hadn’t heard anything about it. He did say that it is illegal for drivers to use internet gadgets behind the wheel and that doing so would lead to more accidents. He said it would be a good thing that people could connect to the internet on expressways, but reminded that drivers would be arrested if caught. So we guess he means it would be good for passengers?
One iPhone user told The Nation that he already uses the internet while driving, but that if the connection was stronger he’d be more inclined to watch videos on YouTube while cruising around town.
Yikes.
