As some of you might know I'm in Thailand on an extended vacation. Reading about the rainy weather and appalling state of the roads on Ambergris Caye has definitely got me thinking I left at the right time.
It really is time for people on Ambergris Caye to insist that we get paved roads all the way north and south of San Pedro Town...and FAST. We're turning into a 4th world destination. Our infrastructure is wafer-thin when it comes to durability.
I've been in Thailand now for 2 months. The Thai people always complain that their government is incredibly corrupt. But, they have paved roads EVERYWHERE. Even the remotest villages have paved access. I've been visiting various fishing lakes in Northern Thailand and have only been off a paved road (ie. on to a dirt road) for about 120 yards.
A paved road is not a luxury infrastructure item. It's the most basic responsibility of government, both local and national, to use some of our tax dollars to provide paved roads. We don't need sewer infrastructure north of the bridge or south of BWS. (The current sewer infrastructure is just a smelly mess anyway). We don't even really urgently need piped water north of the bridge, we've gotten on OK without it so far. But, we DO urgently, URGENTLY need a proper paved road which runs all the way to the north and south ends of the island.
Just reading the concerns about our rainy season road situation on this message board, Facebook and other blogs has me cringing for Ambergris Caye in embarrassment. Is this really what we are offering our tourists and accepting for OURSELVES? I thought rainy days in the Tropics were supposed to be tranquil and fun and thrilling. It turns out our pathetic potholed, puddled and pish-poor roads are just making rainy days miserable for everyone who votes and pays taxes.
When I look at the advanced infrastructure available in Thailand to the Thai people - and its valued tourists - I can't help thinking that when it comes to corruption the Thai government must be rank amateurs. After all, they have had to get the basics done before they start the stealing.
Follow my blog...
http://www.fishinthailand.com where I'll also post this message.
I'll be back on the island early next year....I hope to goodness that it has stopped raining by then.