Thailand about to be inundated with "patriotic" auto accidents...

[Che Guava]

STOP THE CAR! THe anthem is playing....

Patriotism law seeks to halt cars for anthem

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A proposed new law to boost patriotism in Thailand would be "chaotic" because it would require motorists to stop when the national anthem is played twice a day, lawmakers said Friday.

A vote on the Flag Bill proposed by a group of retired and active duty generals in the army-appointed parliament was deferred Thursday to allow a committee to study it.

"It would be chaotic if the bill had passed as it is now. So the National Legislative Assembly decided to set up a panel to review it," NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak told Reuters. The bill's supporters say road traffic should stop nationwide when the anthem is played during the raising and lowering of the flag "to preserve tradition and instill patriotism in Thais."

"The national anthem lasts only one minute and eight seconds, so why can't motorists stop their cars for the sake of the country?," retired General and NLA member Pricha Rochanasena, 70, told Reuters.

"They already spend more time in traffic jams anyway," he said, referring to Bangkok's notoriously congested streets.

Most Thais already stop what they are doing and stand still when the national anthem is played on loudspeakers in train stations, parks and office buildings at 8 a.m and 6 p.m.

Pricha said the bill, which did not propose penalties for violators, would allow motorists to be patriotic too.

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I wonder, do they police/paramedics have to stand at attention too before they head off to mop up all those accidnets...?

 

[Arwon]

Shouldn't the Thai government be busy constructing the transition back to democracy?

 

[Che Guava]

Shouldn't the Thai government be busy constructing the transition back to democracy?

No, mindless patriotism first, democratic 'niceties' later!

 

[The Yankee]

Shouldn't the Thai government be busy constructing the transition back to democracy?

But the people must know who is more patriotic and true to the country! The army makes it possible!

Nice to see the coup's ultimate result was this law.

 

[El_Machinae]

I don't know how someone would think that such a law would inspire patriotism.

 

[The Yankee]

The patriotism to get rid of the military government?

Of course, anyone could go bring up silly laws from other places.

 

[bhsup]

Hey, we need to do this here in America. Five times a day. Twice during the morning rush hour, once around lunch, and twice during the evening rush hours. Figure 5:30am, 7:30am, 12:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm ought to trip up most everyone at least once.

 

[Godwynn]

I am losing faith in "patriotism".

 

[FriendlyFire]

Hey, we need to do this here in America. Five times a day. Twice during the morning rush hour, once around lunch, and twice during the evening rush hours. Figure 5:30am, 7:30am, 12:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm ought to trip up most everyone at least once.

Some terroist will have the idea of launching an attack armed only with a tape constanetly playing the national atheme.

Then some american will kill them only to be attacked for being unpatriotic and supporting terrorism.

 

[The Yankee]

Some terroist will have the idea of launching an attack armed only with a tape constanetly playing the national atheme.

Then some american will kill them only to be attacked for being unpatriotic and supporting terrorism.

Now that's doing it right!

 

[Stewbert 08]

Silly Thais, actually respecting their country's traditions.

This thread is probably a good place to note that if you have a flag or flag decal anywhere on your car, and that car ever goes over 30 miles per hour... you are in violation of the Flag Code (but I bet you still support a flag-burning amendment right? ) Same with flag imagery on anything that is bought n' sold, like clothing. Oh, and letting people murder the national anthem before ball games.

I say the Thais get with the program just like the Americans. An outward and perfunctory show of respect is all you really need, guys!

To make Thailand more like America, I propose that when people hear the national anthem while driving, they should consider it their duty, not to stop, but to honk in time with the song.

 

[Martacus]

Some terroist will have the idea of launching an attack armed only with a tape constanetly playing the national atheme.

Then some american will kill them only to be attacked for being unpatriotic and supporting terrorism.

Like in Metal Gear 2?

I tell ya, that tape came in pretty handy towards the end of the game. Too bad it wears out if you over-use it.

 

[The Yankee]

This thread is probably a good place to note that if you have a flag or flag decal anywhere on your car, and that car ever goes over 30 miles per hour... you are in violation of the Flag Code (but I bet you still support a flag-burning amendment right? ) Same with flag imagery on anything that is bought n' sold, like clothing. Oh, and letting people murder the national anthem before ball games.

It's even funner when said person with a flag on their car has had it on there so long that the flag is pretty frayed.

 

[mrt144]

patriotism is stupid if it's mandatory

 

[West 36]

patriotism is stupid if it's mandatory

You're a terrorist.

If a country is so great, they shouldn't have to force patriotism!