Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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.
New year, new inspiration
Life, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/01/2024
» It was early morning of the first Saturday of the year and a lively crowd had gathered at the entrance of the Unicef office on Phra Athit Road. Young and eager attendees had arrived early for Unicef Thailand's first Open House.
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.
Capital needs a new approach to tree surgery
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/02/2021
» Pictures of numerous chopped down tree trunks scattered near the walls of Wat Po in the Rattanakosin old town area were shared on social media and immediately triggered public outrage.
Singapore's win shows street food scene needs push
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/12/2020
» Singapore has done it again! The island state's hawker culture has finally won Unesco recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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.
Car-free day? Do as we say, not as we do
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 01/10/2020
» A few days before World Car-Free Day (WCFD) which fell last Tuesday, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang tried to encourage city commuters to either carpool or leave their private cars at home and take public transportation.
Can one little plaque do that much 'damage'?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 23/09/2020
» Less than 24 hours after the anti-dictatorship activists installed a plaque symbolising democracy at Sanam Luang before wrapping up the rally, state agencies managed to remove it, explaining that the brass item "damages" the historical site. Wow! Such swift action by state agencies is rare.
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.