Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Anthem to stop traffic?

Traffic would come to a halt every time the national anthem is played under new proposals to promote patriotism in Thailand.

Opponents of the Flag Bill, put forward by a group of retired and current generals, say it would cause chaos on the roads.

The minute long national anthem is played twice a day in Bangkok, during the raising and lowering of the flag, reports Sky News.

Retired General Pricha Rochanasena, 70, said: "The national anthem lasts only one minute and eight seconds.

"So why can't motorists stop their cars for the sake of the country? They already spend more time in traffic jams anyway."

But a vote on the Bill in the capital Bangkok has been deferred to allow a committee to see whether it would work in practice.

Politician Wallop Tangkananurak, who is opposed to the proposal, said: "It would be chaotic if the Bill had passed as it is now."

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