Showing 1 - 10 of 38
High-rise rule would be wind of change for city
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 26/06/2021
» Earlier this month, there was good news in terms of public safety and the urban environment. It was reported that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) was going to enforce a more stringent environmental impact assessment (EIA) rule for high-rise building developers.
Thainess and surf-skating, a safe match?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 01/04/2021
» The "Rattana Go Surf" surf-skating group, with the presence of a woman politician and luminaries who showcased their surf-skating skills on the city streets last Sunday caused a stir. It's no surprise. In contrast to the latest trend of surf-skating in Thailand, Sunday's crowd turned up in traditional Thai attire, while some women also showed up in Thai-style strapless tops and other participants put on royal-patterned shirts. I can only imagine how suffocating it would have been wearing costumes which are obviously not appropriate for sports. Not to mention, several joined the risky sport without protective gear, such as helmets, all while trying to balance themselves on a skateboard, side by side with moving cars and other motorised vehicles.
Government still plays the virus blame game
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/01/2021
» Almost three weeks after the first Covid infection in a Samut Sakhon seafood market was detected, the government still plays the blame game, with migrant workers as a convenient target. Am I surprised?
Could quarantine facilities be slacking?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 29/10/2020
» Almost the same time the tourism authorities welcomed the first batch of long-stay tourists from China last week, local media reported a new infection, a Thai-French woman, who completed the mandatory alternative state quarantine (ASQ) and somehow, after she left, tested positive for the coronavirus.
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.
'Smart city' plan or is it the eve of destruction?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 23/07/2020
» Upon hearing that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched an initiative to make Bangkok's old town in the Rattanakosin area a smart city, I became curious. What does the agency have in mind when it thinks of "smart city"?
'New normal' for dining out is simply absurd
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 27/05/2020
» Last week my family decided to take advantage of the second phase of relaxed lockdown measures by eating out. The place we chose was an open-air noodle shop. When we arrived we were told to sit at separate tables -- one each. We were dumbfounded.
'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.
Hands-off way of supporting hard hit
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 29/04/2020
» After five weeks of lockdown with strict measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, Thailand has made a lot of headway with a steady decline in infections. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of suicides and failed attempts made by people who have slipped through the state's security net.
'Terminal' fears as Thais left in limbo abroad
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 15/04/2020
» On my last day of self-quarantine, a nurse from a public health centre in my neighbourhood called me, checking if I had any symptoms or signs of Covid-19. She was nice, trying to collect all the necessary information to make sure I am free of the virus. Afterwards, the centre will issue me a certificate saying that I've completed the home-quarantine and can resume my normal life.