Showing 31 - 40 of 427
Too many lives being lost at train crossings
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 16/10/2020
» It was Sunday morning and a group of Buddhists from Samut Prakan were on their way to make merit at a temple in Chachoengsao. Yet the trip ended in a tragedy as their vehicle crashed into a freight train. Altogether, 19 were killed and a few dozen injured.
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.
Car-free day? Do as we say, not as we do
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 01/10/2020
» A few days before World Car-Free Day (WCFD) which fell last Tuesday, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang tried to encourage city commuters to either carpool or leave their private cars at home and take public transportation.
Can one little plaque do that much 'damage'?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 23/09/2020
» Less than 24 hours after the anti-dictatorship activists installed a plaque symbolising democracy at Sanam Luang before wrapping up the rally, state agencies managed to remove it, explaining that the brass item "damages" the historical site. Wow! Such swift action by state agencies is rare.
More of city soul falls victim to 'gentrification'
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 10/09/2020
» At the same time when thousands of shoppers and netizens lamented the closure of 28-year-old Isetan Department Store, Bangkok lost one of its oldest food shops in Bang Rak district, known for its authentic khao mok gai (Thai chicken biryani) and oxtail soup.
30-baht health scheme needs a tonic
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 02/09/2020
» When I heard Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul say he would make it possible for members of the Universal Health Care (UC) scheme, better known as the "30 baht scheme", to get treatment anywhere, I was optimistic.
Better ways to spend B22.5bn than on two subs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 26/08/2020
» As I saw my Bangkok-bound train approaching Yala train station last week, I hoped the ride would be a perfect end to my nostalgic trip to the southern province, my second in recent years. In the latest visit I was glad the time-capsuled town showed signs of change, with new chic cafes, restaurants and hotels opening.
The need to acknowledge the modern family
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/08/2020
» What usually comes to mind when you think of family? A social unit comprised of father, mother and child -- or children -- perhaps?
A million 'rafts' won't unclog our trash-hit klongs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/08/2020
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) seems to take pride in its newly built bamboo "rafts" that can trap rubbish flowing in city canals.
Popular CCSA stance costly for stranded Thais
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 30/07/2020
» Thailand couldn't be more proud having been hailed as one of the two countries to be documented by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a successful model for handling and curbing Covid-19. It's not often that we can match a developed country like New Zealand, the other country named.