Showing 1 - 10 of 29
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.
Govt oblivious to senselessness of Covid-19 curbs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 03/07/2021
» When the whole country saw how the prime minister was nonchalantly teasing reporters and giggling in front of the camera last Friday, we didn't know that it was just the beginning of a series of mishaps.
Govt gets it all wrong in closing down train lines
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/10/2020
» Should I, or should I not, take the train today?" might be the question du jour for city commuters right now. Apart from checking if a train is running or delayed, commuters find it helps to remain flexible in case authorities suddenly order the train services to temporarily shut. Such has been the response to the pro-democracy rallies that have erupted daily since the Oct 15 crackdown, when riot police used water cannon to disperse crowds.
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.
Govt must man up, take blame for virus-hit VIPs
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 17/07/2020
» So, after 49 days of enjoying life again and adjusting to the "new normal" following the long lockdown that left many penniless, rumours suddenly spread about two high-profile coronavirus infections in the country.
Bus commuters won't gain from BMTA rehab
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 24/06/2020
» The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is getting serious about rehabilitation, proposing a slew of plans in a scheme akin to that adopted for Thai Airways (THAI) to help the loss-ridden agency turn itself around.
Mall rush woes: But where are Thais to relax?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» The country's second reopening on Sunday saw big crowds gather at department stores citywide amid fears that social distancing measures might be compromised. Most of the malls were full and Ikea in Bang Na had to close early in the afternoon as the number of customers exceeded the daily quota.
Filthy city air can't be cleaned with pie in sky
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 18/01/2020
» As PM2.5 fine dust particles continue to blanket Bangkok, the government has begun to toy with the idea of banning private cars from city roads on certain days of the week -- a harsh-yet-successful measure practised in many major cities around the world to curb air pollution.
Plastic bag ban fails to send the right message
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 10/01/2020
» Thais always have a great sense of humour. Just take a look at the campaign to ban the use of single-use plastic bags at convenience stores and supermarkets which kicked off on Jan 1. On the first day, a number of shoppers heartily turned up at stores with unconventional containers such as buckets and pushcarts to load their purchases. Some of these images were shared on social media and garnered a number of smiles.
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.