☀️ Good morning! Heads up: Expect a nationwide phone alert system test at 2 p.m. this Tuesday. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the adaptive traffic signal control at 72 intersections. Bangkok Design Week 2026 starts next week; check out the programming.

📣 Thanks to Odd Haavik, who became a Soi Visionary this week! Become a paid supporter now to read about Soiciety’s 2026 roadmap. Your support funds this free newsletter.

That’s how many complaints Bangkok residents filed via Traffy Fondue in 2025, according to Urban Creature’s analysis.

Why it matters: This dataset reveals the city’s chronic pain points.

By the numbers: Traffic violations took the top spot at 44,830 reports, overtaking road damage at 39,352 and lighting at 32,448. Sidewalks remain a sore point, ranking fourth with 27,910 complaints filed.

Zooming in: Chatuchak is the capital of complaints, logging 21,514 reports, nearly double that of the runner-up, Khlong Toei.

Flashback: A rare spike in building damage reports occurred in March and April 2025, a result of the earthquake tremors felt across Bangkok March 28.

🔎 Here’s how to report quality-of-life issues.

The Bangkok Council urges the city to overhaul community and soi signage to fix a patchwork of inconsistent, decaying markers.

Why it matters: Councilors say inconsistent signs in deep sois confuse visitors and delivery drivers, especially in newly created alleys with complex sub-numbering, like Soi 3/1 and 3/2.

Big picture: There are 2,003 registered communities in Bangkok, according to the city. But officials currently lack an enforced standard for their signage. Signs currently vary in size, font, color and logo usage.

What they’re saying: The BMC wants the city to apply its new corporate identity to the signs and integrate solar lighting, CCTV and history-tracking QR codes.

The other side: Deputy Gov. Sanon Wangsrangboon acknowledged the problem, noting that the current designs date back to 2000. He said the administration is already reviewing sign clutter and aims to move toward a single pole standard.

Reality check: This motion is just a request from the legislative side. It’s up to the governor to decide if the administration will allocate the budget to implement a city-wide redesign.

👀 Check out Bangkok’s corporate identity.

A fatal crane collapse on Rama 2 Road this week renewed focus on the deadly risks of Bangkok’s main southern artery, where accidents have become a “never-ending cycle.”

Why it matters: Dubbed the “seven generations road” for its 50-plus years of constant construction, the highway remains a danger zone.

By the numbers: Between 2018-25, there were more than 2,500 accidents on the road with 143 fatalities, according to the Department of Highways. These include traffic accidents and crane collapses.

What they’re saying: Experts said the high rate is driven by multiple project overlaps (different contractors) and the lack of investment in safety measures.

What’s next: Authorities mull halting all elevated constructions temporarily to investigate. But despite repeated vows to blacklist contractors or tighten supervision, the danger zones persist.

The workarounds: When heading south, some commuters divert to Borommaratchachonnani Road to connect with Phetkasem Road, passing through Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi before rejoining the southern route.

Bangkok and its private partners are teaming up with Nakhon Nayok to curb agricultural burning in a bid to cut smog.

Why it matters: During the cool season, prevailing northeasterly winds act as a funnel, carrying smoke from Nakhon Nayok’s rice fields directly into the capital.

Big picture: Rather than relying on bans, the partnership provides microbial decomposers to turn rice stubble into fertilizer, reducing the need to burn.

What to watch: Both provinces will monitor hotspots in real-time via satellites and schedule necessary burns when ventilation is good, preventing particulate spikes in Bangkok.

With the general election approaching, political parties are pitching visions to solve Bangkok’s traffic and transit costs, ranging from mega-project buybacks to changes to electric buses.

Why it matters: These proposals could mean cheaper fares, more reliable buses and a shift in how the city moves.

Here’s the state of play of the three major parties:

Injured passengers are taken out of the Cultural Center station after a subway train slammed into another one in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, Jan. 17, 2005.

The accidents, which occurred during morning rush hour Monday, injured as many as 100 people, six months after the subway system opened in the Thai capital.

After the accident, service was suspended at all 21 stations in the subway system.

❤️ Want to support Soiciety? Become a Soi Builder today.

📧 Reach me at [email protected].