Showing 1 - 10 of 24
Between floods and dust, we never get a break
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 08/10/2020
» Last week, when Bangkok commuters were stuck in the usual nightmare of paralysed traffic, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang was already warning us to get prepared for the impending annual PM2.5 pollution. He recommended everyone download the AirBkk app to check air quality in the city to ready ourselves before leaving home.
In beautifying efforts, don't lose sight of reality
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 04/01/2020
» After watching Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang's clip wishing us all well for 2020, I asked myself if I should, in his words, "feel blessed", especially since the reality is the complete opposite.
Flood blame for Aswin falls short of axe
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 19/10/2017
» When learning that Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang daringly announced he would take sole responsibility for the catastrophic flood that slammed most parts of Bangkok on Saturday morning, I thought he wouldn't make it to his first anniversary as head of City Hall this week.
Copenhagen of East a long bike ride off
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 15/06/2017
» The sight of most of the candidates for the 2013 Bangkok governor elections riding bicycles during the campaign, plus their promises to promote this mode of eco-friendly public transportation, made me think our capital could soon be dubbed the Copenhagen of the East.
Get tough on waste to end city flooding
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 09/06/2017
» Bangkok residents definitely hate the monsoon season. There's nothing to enjoy about the massive amount of rainwater that paralyses the city's traffic.
City clean-up is becoming a waste of space
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 25/05/2017
» In just three years, a number of pavements and public areas in Bangkok have been reclaimed and tidied up, thanks to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) "clean-up campaign", which was backed by the military regime. But whether these spots really serve the needs of Bangkok residents remains in doubt.
Public battles to keep its own space
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/10/2016
» When Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the government was reclaiming public space to return it to the general public, I wasn't sure if I should be glad. I doubt if the deputy premier has any idea what "public space" is.
Making the best of life in the flood lane
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 05/10/2016
» I am sure brake lights and wheels of cars -- be they Japanese, European or American -- are the latest hip art fad in Bangkok. In the past few weeks, my Facebook wall has been bombarded with photos of a flooded Bangkok with commuters stuck in paralysed traffic. (Actually, bad traffic is one of the rare occasions when rich and poor people share the same plight that may last for hours. The rich are far better off though, confined in an air-conditioned private space with some music and probably nice food.)
Capital tour, fit for a billionaire
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/07/2016
» I had never considered Bill Gates a wizard in the way the rest of the world sees him until last week when a photo on his Instagram account, showing a pole with messy electrical wiring in Bangkok -- a familiar sight to us all -- led to a lightning response from officials.
BMA intent on making city charmless
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 16/03/2016
» I don't want to believe this is happening again. Another eviction plan for an old community in Bangkok. And if the the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration gets its way, we will soon lose the Mahakan Fort community, touted as one of the charms of the city.