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Oliver Buchannon
Chatwan Mongkol

Chatwan is the editor of Soiciety. He has reported for NBC, NPR affiliates, Hearst Connecticut Newspapers and Prachatai English. Most recently, he founded The Nutgraf, a nationally recognized newsletter covering student journalism in the U.S.

From the Sois

Meet the students trying to make Bangkok’s buses easier to navigate

Jul 9, 2026

Meet the students trying to make Bangkok’s buses easier to navigate

‘This shouldn't be a job for us,’ says a student volunteer, whose group guides passengers and installs bilingual bus-stop signs

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

A Senate study spotlights a turf war over Bangkok's traffic control

Jul 5, 2026

A Senate study spotlights a turf war over Bangkok's traffic control

Plus: Council chair, Nong Chok’s Saen Saeb pushback, 3-airport rail

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Soi Blueprint

Post-election: A divided council, budget season, ordinance push
LockSimple

Jul 1, 2026

Post-election: A divided council, budget season, ordinance push

Here's what I'm tracking in my reporter's notebook in July

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

A legal gap is rotting Bangkok's aging shophouses

Jun 28, 2026

A legal gap is rotting Bangkok's aging shophouses

Plus: Democracy Monument petition, Thonburi boats, Mega Bangna

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Bangkok's mall footprint equals 19 Lumphini Parks, data shows

Jun 21, 2026

Bangkok's mall footprint equals 19 Lumphini Parks, data shows

Plus: 425 blocks, international hospital project, 100-baht tourist fee

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Sois

Inside the race to fix Bangkok's 'ignored' outer edge

Jun 18, 2026

Inside the race to fix Bangkok's 'ignored' outer edge

Soiciety followed two campaigns in Khlong Sam Wa, where population growth has outpaced roads, transit and public services

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Pathumwan leads Bangkok's livability index. Here's how your district ranks

Jun 14, 2026

Pathumwan leads Bangkok's livability index. Here's how your district ranks

Plus: Illegal sewage, a 600-baht corruption fine, anti-migrant rhetoric

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Special Issue

Explainer: How Bangkok government works and what it can't do

Jun 11, 2026

Explainer: How Bangkok government works and what it can't do

With city elections coming, here's the foundation for everything else

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Special Issue

Soiciety awarded inaugural world's Best Emerging News Provider 2026

Jun 9, 2026

Soiciety awarded inaugural world's Best Emerging News Provider 2026

The award validates the work. Readers like you fund it. Help Soiciety grow.

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Bangkok governor candidates want AI to fix the city's oldest problems

Jun 7, 2026

Bangkok governor candidates want AI to fix the city's oldest problems

Plus: No more fare cap, transit uneven expansion, bribery allegations

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Soi Blueprint

Elections and beyond: Ari's changes, English in schools, biking milestone
LockSimple

Jun 1, 2026

Elections and beyond: Ari's changes, English in schools, biking milestone

Here's what I'm tracking in my reporter's notebook this June

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

A group stakes Bangkok council bid on reforming how city makes local law

May 31, 2026

A group stakes Bangkok council bid on reforming how city makes local law

Plus: 1,000-year wait for a green Bangkok, cyclists' proposals, Red Line pushback

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Sois

In Thong Lo, a mural puts workers behind Bangkok in full view

May 28, 2026

In Thong Lo, a mural puts workers behind Bangkok in full view

Led by a Myanmar artist, the 'Together We Build' mural features 12 migrant workers who also help paint it

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

After Makkasan, officials weigh train ban and Missing Link that's still missing

May 24, 2026

After Makkasan, officials weigh train ban and Missing Link that's still missing

Plus: Democrat’s candidate, ‘Asoke model,' first day of 'inter' school

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Thonburi canal boats could bridge Bangkok’s transit gaps, a study finds

May 17, 2026

Thonburi canal boats could bridge Bangkok’s transit gaps, a study finds

Plus: Chatuchak’s decline, latest city plan draft, city voters’ apathy

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Sois

They open a 'third place' in Ekkamai, but the economics don't agree

May 14, 2026

They open a 'third place' in Ekkamai, but the economics don't agree

Designed as a board game sanctuary for long stays, Coucou is losing tens of thousands of baht every month

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Logistics, red tape and costs hamper Bangkok's EV transition

May 10, 2026

Logistics, red tape and costs hamper Bangkok's EV transition

Plus: A concert hall pitch, an ‘Easy Bangkok’ vow, Climate Week

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Special Issue

Soiciety wins Gold for Asia’s Best Emerging News Providers 2026

May 5, 2026

Soiciety wins Gold for Asia’s Best Emerging News Providers 2026

Help keep this award-winning newsroom of one independent and sustainable

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Bangkok scores on gender equality while sexual harassment bill stalls

May 3, 2026

Bangkok scores on gender equality while sexual harassment bill stalls

Plus: Why Bang Phlat residents are fighting City Hall’s waterfront vision

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

Soi Blueprint

Bangkok's governor and council races enter full swing
LockSimple

May 1, 2026

Bangkok's governor and council races enter full swing

Here's what I'm tracking in my reporter's notebook this May

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Proposed 2027 train fare cap sits behind 97-law, concession hurdles

Apr 26, 2026

Proposed 2027 train fare cap sits behind 97-law, concession hurdles

Plus: Rehab overhaul, the Clean Air Bill, old boats turned electric

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Sois

Foreign residents asked for input on Bangkok policy. Few expect it to matter

Apr 23, 2026

Foreign residents asked for input on Bangkok policy. Few expect it to matter

A campaign-linked initiative opens a rare door for non-voters, revealing a gap between intent and expectations

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

Songkran trash surge prompts a circular cure for plastic water guns

Apr 19, 2026

Songkran trash surge prompts a circular cure for plastic water guns

Plus: Saen Saep cleanup, 'Bangkok Can Fly' platform, Hawker Center

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Main Road

New BMA bill proposes elected district mayors, brings back district councils

Apr 12, 2026

New BMA bill proposes elected district mayors, brings back district councils

Plus: Songkran archive, underground cables, infrastructure war impact

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol

From the Sois

Inside a language club that’s turning Bangkok into a classroom

Apr 9, 2026

Inside a language club that’s turning Bangkok into a classroom

What started as a quest to practice Chinese has evolved into a space for locals and expats to connect

Chatwan Mongkol
Chatwan Mongkol
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