☀️ Happy February! Thailand is ramping up Nipah virus countermeasures amid India outbreak. The IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings will be held in Bangkok this year. Officials unveil plans for Queen Sirikit’s royal crematorium in Sanam Luang; see the renders.

That’s the number of people registered to vote early at the polling places across Bangkok today.

Why it matters: The early voting registrations nationwide outpaced the 2023 election by about 8.5%, according to the Election Commission, prompting concerns that overcrowded sites may struggle to handle the volume.

The friction: Officials admitted the registration numbers in some districts exceed the physical capacity of the polling stations. Here are some examples:

Flashback: In 2023, early voters reported issues related to traffic congestion, heat, crowds, internet bandwidth and the sites’ lack of physical accessibility for people with disabilities and older adults.

What’s next: Officials said they added tents and shuttle buses to accommodate. The city is also deploying extra staff and securing air-conditioned venues, according to the governor.

The city will pilot its International Standard Curriculum Program, beginning in the 2026 academic year at Wat Mahannapharam School in Phra Nakhon.

Why it matters: The city is aims upgrade its existing facilities to provide affordable English education for primary school residents without the hefty price tag of a private international school.

How it works: Deputy Gov. Sanon Wangsrangboon said the pilot begins in May for the school’s first and second graders. The program will expand annually as the students advance.

Between the lines: Wat Mahannapharam School was chosen for its existing bilingual program with foreign teachers, which allowed the city to experiment with the new curriculum right away.

What to watch: The pilot aims to prove that high-quality, international-standard education can be delivered within the public sector, potentially creating a blueprint for the city’s other 436 public schools. The curriculum will be unveiled in May.

Bangkok will reopen “Baan Im Jai” on Feb. 14, pivoting from a traditional shelter model to a 200-bed transition hub designed to reintegrate residents into society.

Why it matters: The city’s previous shelters often failed due to access-limiting red tape. This reboot partners with veteran nonprofits to offer what they call a “rights-based safety net” that addresses specific factors like addiction and mental health.

How it works: Beyond a bed, the facility offers on-site job training, money-saving help and health screening to unlock state welfare, including a co-payment rental scheme to help employed residents afford permanent homes.

What’s next: The city plans to open volunteer positions for the public to assist at the center in the future.

The 80th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King Park in Sathorn is set to reopen this month after an overhaul designed to fix a glare-heavy design that made it unusable for much of the day.

Why it matters: Before last year’s renovation, much of the 17-rai park was paved over. The renovation reversed that, ripping out hardscape to combat the urban heat island effect.

The upgrades include 3,984 square meters of planting, an increase in green space from 26.1% to 40.4%, a nature trail, a therapeutic garden, a renovated running track around the lake, a playground and two new gates to improve the pedestrian flow.

What’s next: Final system checks finish this Wednesday, with the official public opening scheduled for later this month.

Bangkok Design Week returned last Thursday, shifting its image from a mere art showcase to an economic stimulation project.

Why it matters: The 11-day event is expected to generate 1 billion baht in economic circulation with 400,000 target visitors across the city, Pichit Virankabutra, deputy executive director of the Creative Economy Agency, told Positioning Mag.

Big picture: The festival centers on four neighborhoods: Charoen Krung, Phra Nakhon, Pak Khlong Talat and Bang Lamphu across 140 sites to revitalize local businesses that often struggle outside of tourist high seasons.

The intrigue: Pichit said the festival has contributed to the drop in abandoned buildings in Charoen Krung from 134 to 24 since the CEA began its efforts there in 2017.

The quote: “The ultimate goal of Bangkok Design Week is to be like Milan Design Week of Asia, where designers and brands showcase their work and launch collections,” Pichit told the magazine.

📅 Check out the festival’s programming in English here.

Right now, the AQI in Bangkok is over 150.

For those of you who don't know what that means and what to do about it, AirDeveloppa wrote a free little guide about air quality and air purifiers that hopefully can clear some of the fog (pun intended 😁) and improve your health. Feel free to share. Stay safe!

💡 Download the free guide.

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