The Thai government has come up with an ingenious plan to reduce traffic congestion. The idea is to create 2 dozen special car parks on the outskirts of the city, where commuters can leave their cars before taking a bus into the heart of the town.

Sceptics are convinced that the plan will fall flat on its face. Similar schemes to restrict the entry of cars, which were introduced in Indonesia and Singapore, have failed. However, as a government transport planner points out, "Maybe the super-rich will still take their cars -- but they will be made to pay for their pleasure."