Showing 111 - 120 of 161
Krathong fest spells bad luck for cleaners
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 16/11/2016
» For revellers, the krathong that are floated on the rivers, canals and waterways on the full-moon night signified the getting rid of of sorrow and bad luck. But for garbage collectors, those beautifully decorated items are a big burden.
Public battles to keep its own space
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 12/10/2016
» When Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the government was reclaiming public space to return it to the general public, I wasn't sure if I should be glad. I doubt if the deputy premier has any idea what "public space" is.
Urban poor get rough deal on housing
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/10/2016
» Although the concept of urban heritage -- an idea that sees the poor as part of old-town development -- has gained international recognition, in reality, these people who are scattered in major cities around the world are still vulnerable with inadequate housing and face the threat of forced eviction.
The plight of the forgotten in Ecuador
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 27/10/2016
» Upon the closing of the United Nations Habitat III conference last Thursday in Quito, Ecuador, journalists in attendance, including myself, were surprised that there weren't any protests staged by activists -- very unusual for such a UN meeting on housing and sustainable urban development which is only held every 20 years.
Making the best of life in the flood lane
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 05/10/2016
» I am sure brake lights and wheels of cars -- be they Japanese, European or American -- are the latest hip art fad in Bangkok. In the past few weeks, my Facebook wall has been bombarded with photos of a flooded Bangkok with commuters stuck in paralysed traffic. (Actually, bad traffic is one of the rare occasions when rich and poor people share the same plight that may last for hours. The rich are far better off though, confined in an air-conditioned private space with some music and probably nice food.)
Chao Phraya boat sinking was avoidable
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 21/09/2016
» I was shocked as I read the tragic news stories about how a double-decker tourist boat, that was supposed to take more than 100 Muslim pilgrims on a pilgrimage, ended up taking at least 27 lives when it capsized and sank on the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya on Sunday.
Bus service is a long way from 'special'
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 28/09/2016
» Riding a bus earlier this week gave me a new experience, and not a good one.
Get your face masks out for 'coal tourism'
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 31/08/2016
» My trip to Songkhla in the south of Thailand earlier this week was not a typical sightseeing jaunt, but it was certainly worthwhile.
BMA needs to stop erasing our heritage
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/09/2016
» For a few seconds, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when my 13-year-old Eurasian niece looked at me -- blankly -- and asked me why I kept taking her to see run-down buildings, some of which are nearly a century old, in the old town of Bangkok during her visit last month.
Makkasan snag is good news
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 14/09/2016
» Once again, plans by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to develop its lush Makkasan land have hit a snag. To me, this is close to the best news ever.