Showing 1 - 10 of 17
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"?
'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.
There are better ways to realise riverside dream
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/12/2019
» If the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has its way, the capital city will soon have its own riverside promenade like many other metropolitan cities. Except that the Bangkok version is riddled with controversy.