Asia’s Deadliest Roads Are Getting $2.8 Billion Makeover

[hhfarang]

"Asia’s Deadliest Roads Are Getting $2.8 Billion Makeover

The home to Asia’s deadliest roads may have found a way to make its highways safer using rubber -- while helping the economy in the process.

Thailand is the world’s biggest producer of rubber. But a drop in demand from global automakers has driven down the price. Millions of Thai growers and tappers are being squeezed by the need for fewer tires and car parts.

The government, farmers and entrepreneurs have tried different ways to offset slack demand. More of the material is being used in cosmetics, for example, while some streets have been paved with rubber.

The latest idea revolves around a new road-safety program, which aims to turn 1 million metric tons of rubber into 12,282 kilometers (7,632 miles) of fender barriers and 1,063,651 guide posts. The $2.8 billion plan will not only absorb about a quarter of the annual harvest, it could also save lives. ...."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/asia-dea ... 00028.html

[dtaai-maai]

Come to Thailand, where the streets are paved with gold ... rubber!

[handdrummer]

That's good, the drivers will able to bounce around after they've hit something. Maybe they could spare a few Baht for driver education or would that be money down the drain?

[Spitfire]

The reason why most of Thailand's roads are not too bad and they are always fixing/upgrading them is because road repairs and construction is low hanging fruit for corruption ... easy pickings.

[buksida]

The reason why most of Thailand's roads are not too bad and they are always fixing/upgrading them is because road repairs and construction is low hanging fruit for corruption ... easy pickings.

Exactly, there is a section of road between Chumphon and Surat that has been 'under construction' for the past 15 years. The amount of money that has been siphoned off would have been enough to build an elevated road over the Gulf!