Showing 1 - 10 of 30
Put culture first in old town revamps
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 28/03/2024
» Will Thailand's old towns include their old communities as they are renovated? In many of these important districts, institutional owners of land are apt to evict legacy tenants to make way for redevelopment, threatening vintage architecture and eroding vibrant local cultures and ways of life.
Govt spurred its own jab PR fiasco
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 27/05/2021
» The high-profile Covid vaccine event on Monday -- in which Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was given his second shot of AstraZeneca vaccine -- should have been a game-changing PR campaign that promotes the state vaccine programme. Yet the event turned into a PR calamity that stirred up critics, rather than boosting much-needed public confidence.
Can govt rise to jab roll-out challenge?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/05/2021
» The colossal vaccine rollout plan in Bangkok -- 10 million doses to inoculate five million people over two months -- shows how the government has finally come to its senses that the only way to revive the economy is to create herd immunity as soon as possible.
City slum clusters demand special care
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/05/2021
» Just when we were made to believe that the Thong Lor cluster had subsided, the Klong Toey cluster emerged.
Vaccines don't mean you can't infect others
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 08/04/2021
» 'Don't worry, I already received my first vaccination shot [against Covid-19]. I won't be infected," the taxi driver told me confidently, almost in a carefree manner, when I asked him to put his face-mask on.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Squashed liked sardines on the Covid-19 train
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 03/06/2020
» Whenever I hear the famous phrase "never lower your guard" that is repeated every day at the daily Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) press conferences, I have to wonder: Whose guard are they talking about?