Showing 1 - 10 of 15
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.
Gimme shelter as we wait for fewer buses
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 26/11/2020
» When I saw City Hall calling for new Bangkok bus stop designs, I was excited. The voices of regular people like millions of bus commuters would finally be heard. But when I went through the competition's requirements, I wasn't sure if there was anything worth celebrating.
Build affordable options for the country's elderly
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/11/2020
» At first glance, I thought the latest elderly care facility, the Senior Complex Project initiated by the Treasury Department and Ramathibodi Hospital, would be an ideal facility for Thailand's ageing society. But upon looking further into the project's details, I'm not so sure.
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.
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.
Govt must man up, take blame for virus-hit VIPs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/07/2020
» So, after 49 days of enjoying life again and adjusting to the "new normal" following the long lockdown that left many penniless, rumours suddenly spread about two high-profile coronavirus infections in the country.
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.
'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.
New transport minister taking wrong road
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 16/08/2019
» Just a few weeks into his new job, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob already seems one of the hardest-working figures in cabinet, and maybe also the favourite -- at least among business operators.