Happy New Year!

In this special issue, we look ahead.

I invited some readers and outside experts to predict Bangkok’s future in 2026 with two questions: What’s the most important trend that will define the city and what’s their vision on how that trend should play out?

From “a shift away from car culture” to more green spaces, the rise of neighborhood economy and “exciting policy proposals of questionable practicality,” here are some of the submissions.

These responses have been edited for grammar and style purposes.

By: Ken Lohatepanont

As a political scientist, I cannot help but be most interested in where power flows in Bangkok in 2026, a year when both national and gubernatorial elections will be held. Chadchart Sittipunt became governor in 2022 with over 50% of the vote, and if he runs again, that margin will prove difficult for challengers to surmount.

But with Chadchart focused on the "capillaries" of the capital over the past few years, will his relative disinterest in flashy, recognizable achievements cost him votes?

Both the People's Party that sees Bangkok as its core stronghold and the reviving Democrat Party that won multiple gubernatorial elections in recent memory could potentially pose him more trouble than one might initially imagine.

I expect parties to come up with exciting policy proposals of questionable practicality in an attempt to woo hearts and minds, given Chadchart's previous margins, for the status quo to ultimately prevail.

In any case, the makeup of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council will likely change significantly. Pheu Thai had won the most seats in 2022; the party's popularity is now at a nadir, and they may struggle to hold on to their seats.

In addition, Bangkok has tended to be fickle in national elections, and there is no guarantee the People's Party repeats Move Forward's sweep of Bangkok MPs.

While they are technically legislators, never forget the role that MPs and councilors play in directly assisting the people with their needs: they are often a point of contact people think of when they want a local road fixed.

Ken Lohatepanont writes The Coffee Parliament.

By: Greg Jorgensen

One of the big questions Bangkok will increasingly face is what it means to grow up. By that, I mean stepping fully into its role as a true “big boy” city — already one of the most famous and magnetic places in the world.

Bangkok is globally celebrated for its food, energy, culture, people, nightlife and an enviable lifestyle, not to mention its proximity to so much of what makes Thailand and Asia extraordinary.

At the same time, the city carries some well-known challenges: corruption, air pollution, traffic, environmental strain and a tendency to trade history for speed and scale.

In the age of social media, with an almost absurd volume of content produced here every day, all of this is visible to the world. That visibility brings an opportunity.

Bangkok can choose to take its global reputation seriously and lead with intention, learning from other great cities by placing quality of life, heritage and long-term livability at the center of its growth. Or it can continue forward on sheer momentum alone — remaining remarkable, but largely by accident rather than design.

Greg Jorgensen is a co-host of The Bangkok Podcast.

By: Saba Lortije

I believe the most important trend that will define Bangkok in 2026 is the city’s gradual shift away from car culture, living toward a more people-centered and transit-oriented way of life.

For decades, Bangkok has been shaped around private vehicles, which have contributed to chronic traffic, air pollution, long commutes and an exhausting daily rhythm for many residents. And not to mention, reckless driving while drivers are on their phones!

By 2026, I hope sustainability in Bangkok becomes more practical and visible in everyday life. This means expanding mass transit beyond the city center and making it truly accessible and affordable, so people feel confident choosing public transport over cars.

But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. Walkable sidewalks, shade from trees, safe crossings and bike-friendly streets are important if we want people to move differently within their neighborhoods.

Reducing the need for long commutes would not only lower emissions but also give people back time and energy for their families and communities.

Green spaces integrated into urban areas would help combat heat, improve mental well-being and make dense living more livable. It should feel less stressful, more inclusive and designed around people rather than traffic.

That, to me, is what I want to see. 

Saba Lortije is a luk-khrueng, born and raised in Bangkok.

By: Margot Homburg

In my view, Thailand can make great strides for its residents by creating as much green space as possible — parks where people can walk, exercise, socialize and where people can also take their dogs to.

Benjakitti is the best example so far, and I'm glad that Lumpini is following suit. These types of areas are conducive to social connections and better lifestyles — both physically and mentally. Additionally, it improves the climate atmosphere as well.

Moreover, an abundance of green areas and access to dog-friendly spaces will make this city much more attractive to expats, especially those from countries where dogs are much more integrated into public life.

These developments should be accompanied by widespread campaigns to educate people about keeping the environment clean, including the necessity to pick up after one’s dogs, emphasizing that we all carry the responsibility to keep our city clean.

Margot Homburg is a co-founder of the Soi Dog Foundation.

By: Emi Weir

The most important trend for Bangkok is accessible green recreation space for the city.

I love exploring Bangkok neighborhoods and like it more when there are green streets or parks where one can rest, attend events and not always have to escape to an indoor air-conditioned cafe or mall.

I really enjoy Lumpini during my lunch break and my local Chinese cemetery behind Surasak, which has a great community enjoying it. I would like to see the Chao Praya riverfront be more accessible — walkways and precincts connected.

There have been so many street improvements over the years, making Bangkok more walkable, and it’s clean, so it’s a balance of greening areas and having businesses thrive around them.

Emi Weir is Asian Trails’ group sustainability manager, based in Bangkok.

By: Scott Coates

After living in Bangkok for 26-years, there has been a lot of positive development, but one very negative element emerged: poor air quality.

It started about 2017-18, a thick layer of pollution that tends to come during the coolest/nicest temperatures of the year. This not only restricts Bangkokians' ability to enjoy the outdoors and be healthy, but will soon impact tourism numbers.

With Bangkok being the most-visited city in the world and up to 20% of the economy dependent on tourism, it's only a matter of time until word gets out that it can be toxic here between December and January, and numbers will slowly start to drop.

The government's ability to do something about this is key to residents’ health and the economy at large. Fingers crossed.

I'm also very happy to see more parks established and improved, but they often overcomplicate things. Example: The Green Mile, which should have kept the width and functionality. Now they have carved out 20-40% of the usable width with feature designs that won't serve anyone.

Scott Coats works in HR and has lived in Bangkok since 1999.

By: Pat McKay

Being someone who documents the changing face of this city in my videos, one trend that I have noticed is that of heritage awareness and preservation.

This year, we’ve already seen the rise of Song Wat Road (which I think falls short of gentrification, although some would say otherwise) with its emphasis on retaining original architecture rather than disguising or hiding it to make it look modern, and it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into this.

When the social media sheep have moved onto the next spot, it will stay relevant because it has bona fide retro appeal. Tourists visiting Bangkok appreciate these spots more than faceless glass and concrete malls and it will continue to attract them.

Also, the ongoing Woeng Nakorn Kasem development in Chinatown is retaining all the original buildings around the edges while redeveloping the inside, which even five years ago would have been all torn down and restarted from scratch.

Soi Nana in Chinatown is a great example of how keeping its originality, style and character can be appealing while serving a more discerning clientele, which is a similar model that has seen Charoen Krung Road (Talat Noi area) become popular where the old Warehouse and The Corner House have been repurposed with minimal renovation to reflect the local history, of which there are many stories to tell (in a future video!).

Maitrichit Road is growing quietly, and I have a feeling it will spread to the area around Hua Lamphong, which went from being Bangkok’s first backpacker hangout in the late 1960s to a traveller hub, then a ghost town during the pandemic. The train station narrowly avoided closure, and I think Rong Muang Road is just waiting for something to happen. The imposing brutalist Bangkok Mail Centre could be a future DIB

Pat McKay runs Bangkok Pat, a Bangkok-focused YouTube channel.

By: Patthira Srithong

Nowadays, Bangkok’s major tourist landmarks are becoming increasingly saturated. Many travel itineraries still focus on temples, the Grand Palace, floating markets and shopping malls such as Iconsiam.

While these places remain important and worth visiting, they are also overexposed. More and more visitors no longer want a short, checklist-style visit. Instead, they want to experience the Bangkok that people actually live in.

By 2026, Bangkok’s tourism sector will shift its focus from famous landmarks to neighborhoods. Areas that were once considered quiet, such as Talat Noi, Song Wat, Nang Loeng and parts of Phra Khanong and Bang Pho, offer something landmarks cannot.

These neighborhoods reflect everyday life, local food culture, walkable streets and a sense of authenticity that does not feel staged. Visitors are not simply guided from place to place, but can feel embedded in the local environment.

This shift would also help distribute economic benefits more evenly. When neighborhoods become tourism destinations, local shops, food vendors and small businesses can benefit directly, rather than tourism income being concentrated only in landmark areas.

However, this approach also comes with risks. One key concern is rising rental costs. If rents increase too quickly, long-standing vendors and residents may be forced to leave, changing the character of the neighborhood itself.

To prevent this, rental prices should be kept at a level that allows existing vendors to remain. If necessary, government support or rental assistance could help ensure that neighborhood tourism benefits local communities without displacing them.

Patthira Srithong works in tourism in Bangkok.

By: Clif Whittington

Looking towards 2026, there are two positive trends that would be great to see continue: a pull-back on government regulations that discourage small producers and the same local independent brewers continue to use Thai ingredients and flavors.

Some beers already use mango, honey and coconut, but there are bound to be other beer flavorings not yet dreamed of. The fact that these beers are brewed in the country, and often near Bangkok, means the beer will be incredibly fresh and will support the local economy.

As Thailand’s laws are starting to lean towards a more open environment, things could be very good for the city’s local craft beer scene.

Legality and changes in the laws aside, there are still plenty of obstacles in the way: not all local craft beers are popular or easy to get; many of the companies and distributors that already sell beer do not want to see any change in the status quo; and many beer drinkers just want something cheap and/or from a brand name they recognize.

Those trends will continue regardless of government regulation.

However, as the citizens of the city visit their neighborhood watering holes, they are more likely to try some beer made by their neighbors.

Tourists coming to Bangkok will be looking for the local and the unique things not found elsewhere — restaurants, bars and hotels will likely try to set themselves apart by offering a more unique “crafted” experience.

Clif Whittington writes the Bangkok Beer Guide.

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