Showing 1 - 10 of 22
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.
Be selective in field hospital admissions
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 19/04/2021
» With the surge of new Covid-19 cases, the government is frantically establishing field hospitals nationwide as demand for hospital beds outgrows supply.
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.
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.
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?
Uniform fuss can't be tackled uniformly
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 02/12/2020
» With some phu yai rattled by the campaign for students to wear casual attire launched on Tuesday by the "Bad Students" group, I am glad that we've come to the point where school uniforms may be disposed of. This could be the first time we've had a real discussion about them.
'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"?
Out with old, in with new. So short-sighted
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 03/07/2020
» Days after Phrae's historic Bombay Burmah building was completely torn down, outraged local people fuelled public anger by sharing photos of the ruthless demolition on social media.