Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Bangkok's clean streets, empty souls
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 10/11/2025
» Banthat Thong used to be a neighbourhood, not a concept. You could live here and find everything: restaurants, bookstores, hardware shops, clinics, banks -- even a place to have your shirts made. It was one of those streets where life unfolded upstairs and business happened downstairs. Today, it is something else entirely.
Harnessing the power of data
Life, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 04/10/2022
» When teacher Chiratip Kaewphaisan heard about the imminent visit by a team collecting data in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom for a national survey on children and women, she had just one question: "Will [relevant government agencies] send an expert or a tutor to offer a special class for the students?"
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.
City's history being lost to fake facade of beauty
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 05/11/2020
» The new graffiti on the walls along the recently facelifted Klong Ong Ang became the talk of the town so I decided not to miss out on it. City Hall wrapped up the artwork just in time for the recent Loy Kratong festivities.
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.
Nature takes back seat in push for toilets
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/06/2020
» The removal of the leafy pradu trees along the road around the Grand Palace has triggered an avalanche of shock and anger. But this project, which has been touted as a landscape development project for tourism, hardly surprised me.
Vulnerable and struggling
Life, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» Suthat Namgasa is relieved to discover he still has one packet of instant noodles in his relief bag. He will eat tonight, but he has no idea how he will find the money to pay the next instalment on his taxi.
With city's public spaces, don't ignore the public
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/01/2019
» Taking a stroll around a few neighbourhoods during the holidays, I couldn't help but wonder why Bangkok, a bustling metropolis, has so little public space for people to use.
No light at the end of tunnel for unsafe city
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 05/01/2019
» The long-awaited tunnel crossing Pattanakarn intersection -- though not fully completed -- was finally opened to motorists on Dec 25, three weeks behind schedule. City Hall may view this as a Christmas and New Year's gift for commuters, but there are other factors in play to consider.
What if axe lady wasn't a total psycho?
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/02/2018
» Parking in a prohibited spot may land you a ticket and a fine. But leaving your car in front of someone's house can get you in even deeper trouble -- as experienced by a woman whose car was smashed by an angry house owner when she did just that.