Showing 1 - 10 of 107
Getting historic renovations right
Oped, Atch Sreshthaputra, Published on 09/11/2023
» There has been some good news about the conservation of heritage architecture in Thailand in recent years -- but bad news as well. First, the good part: our society is waking up to the value of heritage. Despite little public funding and weak legal protection, some old buildings and sites are being conserved. Many people, companies and institutions throughout the nation now recognise that preserving our historic architectural resources improves our economy, communities and quality of life.
Condo action still needed
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/10/2023
» An order by the Administrative Court to revoke the construction permit and environmental assessment study reports of another city condo highlights the serious need to tighten the work of state agencies in regulating these luxury housing projects.
Smart cities listen to their citizens
Oped, Published on 28/04/2023
» Thailand has embraced the agenda of smart cities, with promises of hope for better urban futures. It is not always clear what is meant by a "smart city" but the agenda in Thailand is presented as being founded on seven core pillars -- Environment, Economy, Mobility, Governance, Living, People and Energy, with promises to improve people's quality of life, reduce inequality, and create prosperity, security, and sustainability.
Don't ignore our heritage
Oped, Editorial, Published on 01/04/2023
» The ongoing construction of the Purple Line rail extension that comes at the cost of some almost-century-old shophouses in the Rattanakosin old quarters has caused a stir.
Keep Thailand's rail history on track
Oped, Published on 24/02/2023
» In most of the world, people and governments take pride in their historic railway stations. They invest time, money and effort in conserving these old buildings because they see them as valuable public assets that help give a city or town its sense of place, beauty and identity. If officials want to tear down an old station, people march in the streets.
Mall razing a rare win
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/04/2022
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday began demolishing what remains of Bang Lamphu department store in Phra Nakhon district. The move is a rare victory in City Hall's fight against unsafe buildings in the capital.
Will liberal arts perish much like razed Scala?
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 13/11/2021
» Surrounded by a tall fence, the once-grand Scala, the last stand-alone cinema in Bangkok -- a quasi Cinema Paradiso for movie buffs -- was razed to rubble and thus no more.
Heritage must be guarded
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/11/2021
» The demolition of the historic Scala theatre to pave the way for another high-rise in the Siam Square area has kicked off a public frenzy.
Crippling blow to the global war on terror
News, Brahma Chellaney, Published on 13/09/2021
» The American-led global war on terror, launched 20 years ago after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks against the United States, was already faltering before President Joe Biden took office. Now it may not recover from the blow delivered by Mr Biden's historic blunder in facilitating the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. The flag of the world's deadliest terrorists -- responsible for killing over 2,000 US soldiers since 2001 -- flies above Kabul on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Permit U-turn a costly error
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/08/2021
» On Friday, the Administrative Court ruled to withdraw the permit for the 6.5-billion-baht Ashton Asoke condominium project, a swanky 50-storey high-rise residential building -- saying the project violated the Building Control Act as it does not have an exit onto Asoke Road.