☔ Good morning! The governor says he won’t resign before his term ends. The 80th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King Park in Sathorn is under renovation to boost green space from 26.1% to 40.4%. City Hall partnered with Google on traffic solutions.

A new report finds 12 Bangkok districts fall within the 5-kilometer impact zone of the major Bangkok Port modernization in Khlong Toei.

Why it matters: A multi-year port revamp will bring significant air, noise and traffic pollution to Khlong Toei, Bang Kho Laem, Bang Na, Bang Rak, Huai Khwang, Pathum Wan, Phra Khanong, Ratchathewi, Sathon, Suan Luang, Watthana and Yan Nawa, according to the project’s preliminary study.

The project: The plan is to transform Bangkok Port into a semi-automated “smart port,” boosting cargo capacity to one million containers a year.

Timeline: Construction starts in 2028 and will be phased in, with full operations expected by 2035.

What’s next: The first public hearing on the environmental and health impact took place Thursday. There will be two more hearings before the final impact report is finalized.

📋 Check out the project’s documents here.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Council on Friday passed a 92-billion-baht budget for 2026, keeping funds for the contested Victory Monument renovation.

Why it matters: The project had been cut at the committee stage but was restored in the final readings. Councilors who pushed to remove it again ultimately withdrew their motion.

Big picture: Victory Monument is one of Bangkok’s biggest transportation hubs, with a BTS station, bus stops and vans to nearby provinces. The renovations will be completed next year.

The details: The plan focuses on the Phaya Thai and Din Daeng sides of the monument. The Ratchawithi and Phahonyothin sides are already under construction. Upgrades will include:

Bangkok has been declared a “pollution control zone” for the first time from November to March, giving the City Hall more power to tackle haze.

Why it matters: It’s worth keeping an eye on the new regulations as they are rolled out, as stricter rules on things like vehicle emissions could directly impact your daily life and commute.

As a first step, Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said the city will soon roll out three measures:

Yes, but… Thailand has declared 18 other pollution control zones; none of which has yet solved its air problems enough to have the designation lifted.

The 2026 budget, passed Friday, includes funding for a new 840-million-baht hospital in Thung Kru, a district of 120,000 people that has no public or private hospitals.

Why it matters: The gap was exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic when residents had to be sent to hospitals in other districts that were often at capacity. Thung Kru ranks 43rd out of 50 for public health services in the 2024 Bangkok Index.

What they’re saying: “Today, we all succeeded,” said Thung Kru Councilor Kittipong Ruayfuphan, who spent three years pushing for the project.

Details: The hospital will house 100 beds in a 7-story building with one basement level. It will be located on the grounds of the Arthon Sungkawattana Vocational School, sharing the 11-rai land.

Not familiar with Thung Kru? It’s home to King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and the Bangkok Children's Discovery Museum 2.

City Hall will replace 30,500 new public trash cans across all 50 districts to replace old and broken ones, the Environmental Department said.

Why it matters: This 50 million baht investment for 2026 aims to tackle a common complaint from residents.

What’s next: Rollout begins next year, with district offices prioritizing communities, schools and temples. City Hall will continue pushing for waste separation.

Extra! Extra! Did you know that the city is increasing its trash collection fee from 20 to 60 baht a month in October — unless you separate your trash? Read our previous issue about this.

With daily headlines of flash floods being a seasonal norm, the past week’s heavy rainfall has overwhelmed parts of Bangkok’s drainage system, even flooding the Culture Center MRT Station.

Why it matters: Recurring floods disrupt commutes and businesses and raise questions about Bangkok’s long-term infrastructure as severe weather worsens.

Big picture: Environmental expert Sonthi Khotchawat said this is more than heavy rain — it’s driven by deeper factors:

By the numbers: Bangkok’s drainage capacity is 60 milliliters per hour. Some areas last week got more than 100 milliliters.

What can you do: Plan your travel accordingly. Check for official updates via the city’s weather radar. Report flooding issues via Traffy Fondue. The city has urged the public not to dump trash into canals and drains, which obstructs water flow.

Dig deeper: Here’s why the city is confident it won’t sink in 2025.

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