Thai launches to beat traffic

Thai launches to beat traffic

BANGKOK (Reuter): First it was nurses on motorbikes, now the
authorities in traffic-clogged Bangkok are thinking of using
high-speed river launches to get people to hospital in a hurry.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is studying a project
to design and equip 10 ambulance launches to ply the Chao Phraya
river and city canals, deputy governor Chaiyantra
Kampanatresanyakon said yesterday.

"My idea is to help the patient get to hospital in time and
the waterway ambulances would save many lives," Chaiyantra said.

Millions of Bangkok residents who live near the banks of the
river and canals would have speedy access to the many hospitals
located near the waterways. Five state-run hospitals alone line
the banks of the Chao Phraya which separates Bangkok from the
town of Thon Buri.