Official vows free Wi-Fi on 2 expressway stages
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Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) Governor Aiyarat Thinapai yesterday promised that people using Bangkok's expressways would be able to connect to the Internet for free via Wi-Fi within three months, prompting police to warn that using wireless dev
Exat was co-ordinating with TOT to set up the Wi-Fi network, which would facilitate communications for expressway users, Aiyarat said.
The project would enable users of the first- and second-phase expressways to access the Internet via Wi-Fi at any time. When they exited the expressway and returned to surface roads, the Wi-Fi connection would be cut, Aiyarat said.
Expressway Traffic Control superintendent Pol Colonel Khajornkiat Sipan said he hadn’t received a report or information about free Wi-Fi on the expressways yet. He commented that it would be illegal for drivers to use Internet-connected appliances behind the wheel, adding that doing so could cause them to take their focus off driving, resulting in road accidents. While it would be a positive step if passengers could connect to the Internet, he said, drivers would be arrested if caught using Internet-enabled devices while driving, as it is a violation of the traffic law.
An iPhone user told The Nation that he would definitely be tempted to surf the Net while driving if there was a good connection.
“At present, I use my iPhone as an iPod while driving, but if the Net connection is strong, I would be inclined to access something from, say, YouTube,” said the office worker. He admitted that trying to access the likes of YouTube while driving could be a distraction.
“If you drive and surf the Net at the same time, you can’t be totally focused. I do admit that there are risks involved,” he said.
