☔ Good morning! New bathrooms with showers and free lockers opened at Lumphini Park. The city also plans to develop a 3.5-kilometer Chao Phraya River waterfront in Bang Phlat. Nearly 10,000 visas have been revoked in a misuse crackdown.

🏆 Shoutout to our new supporters this week: Henriette Jansen became a Soi Visionary. Larissa Manon became a Senior Soi Builder. And Ellie Pham became a Soi Builder. You can become one, too, to support our work!

🛣️ From the Main Road:

• One big number = 50,000

• Green Line to Taling Chan

• Low-emission zones for trucks

• Omelette + new mall + postal suspension

• Khlong Samsen reimagined

• Intl. film fest returns

• Explainer: Why Blue Line's packed

ONE BIG NUMBER
💵 50,000

Thailand’s central bank is implementing a default daily transfer limit of 50,000 baht to slow down scammers and limit potential losses for victims. But the cap won’t apply to everyone.

What this means: Most customers will keep their existing limit based on their transaction history. The new default will apply immediately to all new bank accounts and will be phased in for certain existing customer groups by the year-end, including:

• Accounts flagged as high-risk for fraudulent activity

• Customers with a limited transaction history

• Users who typically transfer less than 50,000 baht daily

Bottom line: Customers who need a higher limit can request an increase through their bank’s mobile app, call center or local branch, according to the Bank of Thailand.

TRANSPORTATION
1. ⛓️‍💥 Green meets Red, minus 1-km Taling Chan link

Bangkok has kicked off its 34 billion-baht project to extend the Green Line 7.5 kilometers from Bang Wa to Taling Chan, holding the first public hearing last week.

Why it matters: The project adds six stations on Ratchaphruek Road. Officials said it will provide a “seamless connection” to the Red Line.

Yes, but… Under the current plan, the new Taling Chan Station would be located on Ratchaphruek Road, about a one-kilometer (and not-so-pleasant) walk from the existing Red Line’s Taling Chan Station.

• Critics argue this distance creates a major connectivity problem that discourages public transit use and wastes significant investment.

Big picture: They said the issue is emblematic of a larger pattern in which planners prioritize the lowest cost and easiest implementation — avoiding land expropriation and complex inter-agency coordination — over commuter efficiency.

The other side: The existing SRT station is already difficult to get to as it’s located on a narrow, two-lane road; having another station nearby would add to the inconvenience. Placing the station on Ratchaphruek Road also keeps the door open for future expansion.

What’s next: There will be more hearing sessions in the coming months. The study completion is expected in 2026, with bidding planned for 2027-28. Construction is planned to take place from 2029 to 2032.

ENVIRONMENT
2. 🚚 Officials mull citywide truck emissions zone

Bangkok is considering expanding its low-emission zone to cover all 50 districts in an effort to combat air pollution, after a pilot program showed promising results.

What’s LEZ? The LEZ restricts trucks with six or more wheels from entering designated areas during high-smog periods unless they’re on the city’s “Green List,” which requires passing maintenance checks.

How it works: Restrictions apply when PM 2.5 hits “red” in five districts or “orange” in 15. Non-Green List trucks face bans and legal action.

Why it matters: Diesel trucks are among the biggest contributors to Bangkok’s PM 2.5 problem. Officials said LEZs have already reduced dust concentrations by 15.6% in pilot districts when the measures were in effect in January.

By the numbers: The LEZ policy has already been active in 22 districts, with 57,396 trucks on the Green List. In January, authorities tracked 5,569 trucks entering the zones, with 4,284 of them being unregistered, leading to 465 legal cases.

JUST THE HEADLINES
3. 📰 Catch up quickly

• 🦀 Michelin-starred Jay Fai is under fire for not displaying the price for a 4,000-baht crab omelette.

• 🛍️ Central Park mall and its rooftop park will open Sept. 4, intending to revive the Silom area. The project targets 25 million annual visitors.

• ✉️ Thailand Post has suspended all postal services to the U.S., citing new tariffs.

DEVELOPMENT
4. 🛶 Comeback for Khlong Samsen eyed

The city is seeking public input on a new plan to transform the historic Samsen Canal into a vibrant urban waterway once again.

The backstory: Historically a significant trade and transportation route, the canal has fallen into disrepair due to water pollution, encroachment, poor accessibility and economic decline of the waterfront areas.

The grand plan: The revitalization project aims to develop public spaces with walkways, bike paths and parks, improve water quality, potentially reintroduce boat services and boost the local economy through cultural tourism.

• A 4.3-kilometer pilot project will be designed for the area between the mouth of the Chao Phraya River and the Victory Monument.

What’s next: The City Planning and Urban Development Department is seeking your input at a public hearing at Century Park Hotel on Friday, Aug. 29.

SOFT POWER PUSH
5. 🍿 Spotlight returns to Bangkok's film fest

After 16 years, the Bangkok International Film Festival is back next month with ambitions to restore the city as Southeast Asia’s cinematic hub.

Driving the news: The festival runs Sept. 27–Oct. 15. The curtain rises with the world premiere of "Tee Yod 3." It will screen more than 200 films from more than 40 countries and feature a film market for producers.

Why it matters: Halted by corruption and bribery scandals, BKKIFF is being rebooted to showcase Thai cinema as a form of “soft power” and to compete with established players like Busan and Singapore.

Between the lines: This comeback comes as Thailand is courting foreign productions with up to 30% cash rebates, while private players are taking notice.

• Netflix has invested $200 million in Thailand since 2021, producing more than 20 original pieces, 15 of which hit the Global Top 10 in Non-English Content.

WEEKLY EXPLAINER
🚆 Why Tao Poon is overcrowded and why relief is years away

Complaints on social media are again highlighting severe overcrowding at Tao Poon Station, the primary interchange for the Blue and Purple lines, during the morning commute.

Why it matters: The Blue Line already serves about 500,000 weekday passengers. The government’s new 20-baht fare cap policy is expected to push ridership up by another 20%, according to the Transport Ministry.

The problem: Tao Poon is the only interchange connecting the two lines. Blue Line trains only run with three-car sets, with a maximum capacity of about 1,130 people, when the station can carry up to six cars. The system currently has 54 trains in service.

Why not just add more cars? According to the operator Bangkok Expressway and Metro, lengthening existing trains was ruled out was already ruled out. Adding a fourth car would require costly and time-consuming upgrades to platforms, signaling systems and screen doors.

Instead, they’re opting to add more three-car trainsets to increase service frequency.

Yes, but… New trains are coming, slowly. BEM and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority have ordered 21 new three-car trains for the Blue Line. However, the first batch is only expected to arrive in October 2027, according to the Daily News.

• Orange Line effect: When the east section of the Orange Line opens in late 2027, around 80,000 passengers are expected to transfer into the Blue Line.

In the meantime, operators said they’ll run extra trains during rush hour, shorten headways and deploy more staff to manage boarding.

🗨️ Got a question about how something works in Bangkok? Reply to this email or hit me up at [email protected]. I’ll break it down in a future explainer!

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