Showing 1 - 10 of 89
Capital needs a new approach to tree surgery
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/02/2021
» Pictures of numerous chopped down tree trunks scattered near the walls of Wat Po in the Rattanakosin old town area were shared on social media and immediately triggered public outrage.
'Pantries of sharing' mustn't let dark side win
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 13/05/2020
» The "pantries of sharing" project -- a small charity scheme involving those who have more leaving behind food and other necessities for anyone who may need an item or two -- has become the talk of the town. Yet, a dark side has emerged with some people being too greedy, emptying all the shelves in one fell swoop.
City commuters stuck in spider's web of delays
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 05/04/2019
» How many cards must a Bangkokian carry with them just so they can make their way through the ever-so busy and bustling capital? No, I'm not talking about credit, debit, or loyalty reward cards. I'm talking about the cards that a commuter must carry just so that can move from Point A to B.
Pedestrians, once again, get raw deal
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 24/08/2017
» After watching the documentary Citizen Jane: Battle for the City last weekend, I finally found something in common between New York City and Bangkok -- the obsession with infrastructure development at the cost of local communities. What happened to New York City planning six decades ago reminds me of what's happening to development in Bangkok nowadays.
Work together for a greener capital
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/04/2019
» When I learnt of City Hall's plan to grow one million trees in various districts of Bangkok, I could hardly believe my ears. It was hard to believe that the agency, which is known for its love-hate relationship with trees -- could change its attitude, especially if you look at the way city workers abuse trees by leaving them completely bare and without branches.
City public space drive just a token effort
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 18/10/2018
» Last week, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) boasted it made three million baht in three months from the fines it imposed on motorcyclists who drove on pavements.
Bus service is a long way from 'special'
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 28/09/2016
» Riding a bus earlier this week gave me a new experience, and not a good one.
A problem of attitude in Pathumwan
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 02/03/2016
» When I learnt last year that the Pathumwan district office was going to move to my neighbourhood, just across a small street from my home, I was glad. Who wouldn't be? Without the need for travelling to take care of household affairs, life would be a lot easier and more convenient.
Locals pushed aside in name of 'progress'
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 24/07/2015
» Shortly after I filed a complaint with the City Hall hotline against a food shop that illegally dominates the pavement near my house in Pathumwan district, I received a phone call from a tessakij (city inspector), assuring me the problem was well taken care of. It was a nice surprise.
Put culture first in old town revamps
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 28/03/2024
» Will Thailand's old towns include their old communities as they are renovated? In many of these important districts, institutional owners of land are apt to evict legacy tenants to make way for redevelopment, threatening vintage architecture and eroding vibrant local cultures and ways of life.