Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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.
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.
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.
Stop the booze witch hunt, ban the cigs instead
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/05/2020
» When the government lifted the ban on alcohol sales this past Sunday, netizens shared a clip showing people scrambling hectically at a hypermarket to buy alcoholic drinks. Most people condemned the act. They seemed to link the buyers with the underprivileged people who have struggled to get 5,000 baht in relief money.
'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.
Govt's response to crisis fails to meet the mark
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/03/2020
» After following news about how Thailand and countries in Europe have been tackling Covid-19 over the past few weeks, I notice a big difference.
White elephant spotted on new walking streets
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 30/11/2019
» The Bangkok Metropolitan (BMA) is planning to bring back popular walking streets in the city's three commercial hubs, namely Silom, Yaowarat and Khao San. The reason for the move is simple: to promote food shops and boost tourism as well as the economy.
Food apps trade convenience for plastic waste
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 22/11/2019
» Last week when my friends and I were hungry, we began to discuss possible options. Should we go out to a nearby restaurant, or grab leftovers from the refrigerator? One friend suggested using a food delivery service and everyone reached a consensus and agreed.
City public space drive just a token effort
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 18/10/2018
» Last week, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) boasted it made three million baht in three months from the fines it imposed on motorcyclists who drove on pavements.