Despite efforts to get people out of their cars and on to bicycles, fewer than 50 have taken advantage of cycle lanes on Sathorn Road.

 Lumpini police deputy superintendent Lt Colonel Sonthaya Buapaeng says the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should do more to promote cycling. Since June, the BMA has been encouraging people to cycle to work. "White-collar workers are the target. But most of the cyclists are construction workers," Sonthaya says.

No alcohol day

The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal by a civic network to declare Buddhist Lent Day as "Alcohol Abstinence Day".

The network says the declaration would encourage people to abstain from alcohol consumption during the Buddhist Lent. Currently, the percentage of people avoiding alcoholic drink has already climbed up at least 40 from 15 in 2003.

For Buddhists, alcohol abstinence is one of the five precepts. 

Sorry, wrong dates

The 6th Book Festival for Young People 2008 will be held from July 16 to 20 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the wrong dates in an earlier publication.