Showing 1 - 7 of 7
What's in a (soi) name?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/06/2022
» At the front of practically every soi in Bangkok, you'll notice a pole with a blue sign with white letters at the top proclaiming its name. However, if you look closer you may find many sois in Thailand can brighten your day with their curious names. Here are a few for your entertainment.
Dealing With A Covid-19 Side Effect
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/01/2021
» One side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic that you may have overlooked (besides amassing a vast collection of hand sanitisers and exposing govt inefficiency -- kapow!) is more waste, especially plastic. Inevitably, it is exacerbated by our appetite for food delivery while we're WFH during this quasi-lockdown. The first wave saw an increase of plastic waste by 60% in Bangkok due to the higher demand for food delivery as estimated by Thailand Environment Institute in May last year. Thailand Research Development Insitute also claimed that one such order can contain up to seven pieces of plastic waste (so opt-out of utensils when you order please).
11 things to do while being stuck in the traffic
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/08/2018
» PM Prayut Chan-o-cha recently tasked relevant agencies to ease traffic congestion in Bangkok and expects to see some improvement in three months. If any government can solve this perennial problem, I think it'll be his Cabinet since he can always invoke S44 magic. Think about it, people, he can order car owners to drive only on even or odd days, depending on their licence plate numbers.
Budget Rethink?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/04/2017
» Our dear cabinet recently approved a budget to buy 10 made-in-China tanks worth two billion baht while key members also seem keen on a plan proposed by the Royal Thai Navy to buy three submarines worth 36 billion baht. While I'm sure these dear sirs exercised their sound rationale before agreeing to such big purchases for the sake of Thailand's security, IMHO, with utmost respect, I would like to point out that there are other more beneficial ways the money could be used too.
Seven struggles only Bangkokians understand
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/03/2017
» Living in Bangkok comes with its beauties and bummers (Beauty and the Beast pun intended). Besides the congested roads we're painfully aware of, as well as being rejected by taxi drivers on a regular basis, there are other minor struggles that one comes across while living in the City of Angels. Don't despair, dear readers. I'm here to tell you that you're not alone and that we can commiserate with each other in a light-hearted manner. Because, you know, a problem shared is a problem halved. Here are seven struggles only Bangkokians understand.
Driving Test: Bangkok Edition
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 14/10/2016
» In a bid to make the roads safer, the Department of Land Transport recently announced a plan to raise the pass mark from 90% to 100% on the multiple-choice driving exam. Soon you'll have to answer all 50 questions correctly to obtain a driving licence. Of course, people can appear responsible on paper but they can actually, in real life, be jerks on the road. But if that extra 10% somehow makes the roads 1% safer, don't you think it's worth our collective effort to strive for full marks? This new requirement is expected to be in effect next year so, in the meantime, you can take my very own driving exam to find out how responsible a driver you can be (or whether you should never be allowed on Bangkok's roads, for the sake of everyone else).
#FightForFootpaths
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/07/2016
» Yippee! A new skywalk helping to connect Big C Ratchadamri, CentralWorld and Platinum Fashion Mall has been recently opened, giving us an all-round smoother shopping spree and a new selfie spot.