🧣 Good morning! Thailand’s winter has officially begun and runs through late February. The Meteorological Department expects Bangkok temperatures to drop 1-3 degrees.

🚲 In a reader poll, 70% of you said you’ve never used a bike-share in Bangkok, mostly citing safety and a lack of biking infrastructure. Eight Suankularb students are campaigning to fix both. Read about them here.

📅 I’m speaking Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Nextopia at an event on climate storytelling in Thai journalism, fiction and film. It’s in English and hosted by What a Why and Avant Lab. Join us!

Bangkok’s 90-day public hearing on its draft zoning map ended Nov. 9 with about 5,000 petitions, Prachachat and Daily News reported.

Why it matters: The map, which would cut flood buffers by about 70%, drew scrutiny after September’s floods left eastern Bangkok inundated for days.

Zooming in: Most petitions ask the city to keep the 2013 zoning for flood-absorbing land. Others seek more retention ponds and tougher data center rules over environmental concerns.

What’s next: Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said the city’s role for now is to collect petitions and pass them to the Provincial Town Planning Committee, which the Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary chairs.

Bangkok councilors largely support transferring the Green and Gold lines to the national Mass Rapid Transit Authority for lower fares. Their main concern: the city would pay first if the MRTA can’t.

Why it matters: The January handover would end the city’s subsidy of 400 million to 500 million baht a month for the Green Line extensions. It would also let the national government set a common fare, with no double entry fees.

State of play: A June Cabinet resolution calling for single ownership of the lines set the transfer in motion. A draft memorandum of understanding between Bangkok and the MRTA is under review by the Office of the Attorney General.

The tension: Under the MOU, MRTA takes over the lines’ revenue and expenses. If MRTA can’t initially cover expenses, the city pays first, and MRTA reimburses it within four months. Councilors want to know what backs that promise.

The other side: Deputy Gov. Wisanu Sapsomphon said the city has budgeted fiscal 2027 operating costs for the lines, while the national government has not. He said the four-month window gives MRTA time to find the money.

Yes, but… Several councilors doubted the national government would repay on time, citing delays in recent flood relief payments. Sai Mai Councilor Somchai Wesarachtrakul said the government promised compensation but “paid slowly and with difficulty.”

What’s next: The council formed a special committee to study the transfer, though it can’t override the Cabinet resolution. The committee’s 120-day window would run past the planned January handover.

📑 Read the city’s status report in Thai.

ฺBangkok has installed 47 bilingual songthaew information signs in Sathorn, Bang Rak and Yan Nawa districts, the city’s first pilot of its kind.

Why it matters: Songthaews serve neighborhood sois, and their routes are hard for people who don’t live nearby to follow.

Zooming in: Signs stand on Soi Saint Louis, Suan Phlu, Nang Linchi, North and South Sathorn and parts of Chan Road. Each lists routes, service hours and transfer points to the BTS, MRT, BRT, buses and boats.

What to do: You can send the city feedback on the pilot through this form.

📸 See closer images of the signs.

Bangkok plans to amend its pet-control ordinance after finding many renters can’t register their pets without a landlord’s written consent. Opponents warned last year the requirement could undermine the law.

Why it matters: The ordinance aims to cap pet numbers, curb strays and control rabies. Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said enforcement still begins Jan. 10.

Big picture: The rules limit pets by home size and mandate registration. Condos measuring 20 to 80 square meters, for example, may house one pet. Owners who already exceed the limits are grandfathered in.

By the numbers: The city has registered 156,729 dogs and cats.

Flashback: Rescue groups asked the city to delay enforcement for a year from January 2026, partly because of this renter hurdle.

What’s next: Chadchart said a 60-day public hearing on the amendment will precede the draft’s submission to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council.

The council last week asked the administration to do more about homelessness in public spaces. One councilor said Baan Im Jai shelter should leave her Old Town district.

Why it matters: The debate pits safety complaints against the rights of homeless people, whom the city can’t legally force into shelters.

By the numbers: Bangkok has 1,274 homeless individuals, as of 2025. Nearly half are in the Old Town area, including Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai districts, where the city’s only shelter is located.

Zooming in: Pom Prap Sattru Phai Councilor Nipapan Juenglertsiri said Baan Im Jai sits close to homes and shophouses with open doors. Residents report being asked for money, smoking and sexual harassment.

Zooming out: Other councilors raised similar complaints. Some said people intimidate passersby in dark areas. They said food donations in public areas encourage people to stay, and the lack of legal enforcement makes fixes hard to sustain.

The other side: Deputy Gov. Sanon Wansrangboon said the city must balance both sides. He called Baan Im Jai a short-term stop toward longer-term help and said 245 homeless individuals have found jobs through its programs.

Flashback: The city’s latest operation on homelessness included night patrols and a request to stop food handouts. Critics questioned whether it aimed to clear public space and contain homeless people rather than help them.

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