🎇 Happy last Sunday of the year! From longevity trends to new trash ordinance and new malls, here's a recap of Bangkok in 2025. BMA officials will ask the council to delay the pet ordinance; here’s why. Analysts predict the baht will hit 30 per dollar

📣 There will be a special issue next Sunday compiling outlooks for Bangkok in 2026. I won’t publish on Sunday, Jan. 11, as I prepare to move back to Thailand after eight years in the U.S. See you in Bangkok!

The city’s electric train network broke down 24 times in October and November, a spike in technical failures that has regulators demanding better maintenance.

Why it matters: Commuters are facing roughly one glitch every two and a half days, raising reliability concerns as the government pushes to increase ridership through a flat fare program.

By the numbers: The Department of Rail Transport broke down the causes for the 24 incidents: six system failures, five track switching issues, three signaling errors, two power supply faults and eight other issues like brakes, doors and external disturbances.

What’s next: To avoid chaos during the holidays, operators have been ordered to ramp up inspections.

If your Rabbit card was rejected while topping up, you aren’t alone. The card company has quietly ramped up enforcement of identity verification rules.

The update: Since Nov. 12, staff have strictly enforced a “Know Your Customer” policy that requires all Rabbit cards to be linked to a verified identity, a staffer told Soiciety.

Flashback: While this feels sudden, the policy has actually been on the books since 2019. The BTS is cooperating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to prevent anonymous financial transactions.

Why it matters: This means if you’ve been using the same card for years, it may need to be re-registered at any BTS station to verify your identity.

How to fix: You can’t top up or unblock your card without physical proof of identity: a national ID card for Thai citizens and a passport for non-Thai residents and tourists.

The snag: Ticket counter scanners often fail to read foreign passports. BTS and Rabbit staff are advising users to visit the Rabbit Service Center at Phaya Thai station (Exit 5).

🔎 You can check your card’s status here.

Retail giants are spending heavily to claim the title of the city’s top New Year’s Eve destination for the 2026 countdown event, turning the night into a battle for the landmark status.

Why it matters: Malls are betting that experiential countdowns will drive economic recovery in the year’s final quarter and solidify Bangkok as a top global destination.

Yes, but… More than 80% of Thais remain undecided or have no plan for the holidays, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The Tourism Authority of Thailand projects a 2-9% drop in New Year revenue.

Big picture: Three major zones are competing for your attention: Ratchaprasong, the Riverside and Sukhumvit, with each offering different “firsts” as highlights this year. They’re eyeing a combined audience of 1.5 million people.

Be prepared: Foot traffic at these locations is expected to increase by 10-25% this week.

🗺️ Here are 11 other countdown spots.

Authorities rolled out safety protocols for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, with a focus on crowd control, animal welfare and late-night transportation.

Why it matters: With 14 major countdown venues planned across the city — including new spots in dense residential zones like Sukhumvit — Bangkok is moving to prevent crowd crushes and minimize noise impact on vulnerable groups.

What you need to know:

Big picture: District offices are inspecting fire prevention systems at entertainment venues and hotels in high-density areas. The city is anticipating large crowds flooding these places after the countdown.

Zooming in: While the riverside is a traditional fireworks zone, this year sees permit requests for the Sukhumvit area. Officials have received complaints about noise pollution from high-rise residents.

What’s next: The city will operate a 24-hour command center at City Hall on Wednesday. If you spot unauthorized fireworks or unsafe overcrowding, officials encourage you to report it immediately via the Traffy Fondue platform or call 1555.

A big portion of Bangkok voters remain undecided on their choice for the next prime minister, according to the NIDA Poll, leaving the capital’s political future wide open.

Why it matters: This rare level of hesitation suggests voters are unimpressed by the current roster, signaling a potential shake-up for the 2026 elections, analysts say. In 2023, the Move Forward Party — People’s Party’s predecessor — won 32 of 33 Bangkok seats.

By the numbers: While 47.25% of city voters still can’t find a good candidate, the People’s Party’s Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut leads candidates at 17%, followed by Bhumjaithai’s Anutin Charnvirakul at 11% and the Democrats’ Abhisit Vejjajiva at 9%.

The friction: Analysts warn the People’s Party faces a leadership gap, struggling to replicate the urban momentum of its predecessor, while old-guard parties scramble to rebrand.

What to watch: The real race begins after the New Year. With 40% of residents also undecided about their party preference, the battle for Bangkok is effectively being reset.

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📧 Reach me at [email protected].