Showing 1 - 10 of 25
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.
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.
BMA's Green Line fares are unforgivable
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/01/2021
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) plan to raise the Green Line's fare ceiling to the absolute maximum, at over 100 baht, from the original 65 baht, has triggered an avalanche of criticism.
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.
A million 'rafts' won't unclog our trash-hit klongs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/08/2020
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) seems to take pride in its newly built bamboo "rafts" that can trap rubbish flowing in city canals.
Vulnerable and struggling
Life, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» Suthat Namgasa is relieved to discover he still has one packet of instant noodles in his relief bag. He will eat tonight, but he has no idea how he will find the money to pay the next instalment on his taxi.
'Pantries of sharing' mustn't let dark side win
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 13/05/2020
» The "pantries of sharing" project -- a small charity scheme involving those who have more leaving behind food and other necessities for anyone who may need an item or two -- has become the talk of the town. Yet, a dark side has emerged with some people being too greedy, emptying all the shelves in one fell swoop.
Hands-off way of supporting hard hit
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 29/04/2020
» After five weeks of lockdown with strict measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, Thailand has made a lot of headway with a steady decline in infections. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of suicides and failed attempts made by people who have slipped through the state's security net.
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.
'Tessakit' must do duty to make pavements safe
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 30/08/2019
» When a video clip of a woman in university uniform blocking motorcyclists from riding on city pavements went viral last week, Bangkok had a new street hero.