⛈️ Good morning! Stay alert for weather updates and strong winds this week. A new skywalk at Surasak Station opens. Also, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization opens pharmacies at 14 BTS stations.

🙌 Special thanks to Michael Htoo, who became a Soi Visionary, and Annie Fletcher, who became a Soi Builder, this week!

Bangkok is on high alert for high water levels this week, as 2025 has seen 10.3% more accumulated rainfall than the 30-year average, according to KResearch.

Why it matters: The city is facing risk from heavy northern runoff from dams and increased rainfall, especially between Thursday and Sunday.

By the numbers: Water from upstream dams is expected to flow at 2,500 cubic meters per second, a high level. The city is distributing more than 200,000 sandbags to flood-prone areas.

What to do: Take extra precautions if you live outside the flood walls and watch for localized flooding. This BMA map shows all flood-prone areas in the city.

Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt has signaled that a fare increase for the BTS Green Line’s extensions is likely unavoidable as the city grapples with unsustainable operating costs.

Driving the news: The city council gave its initial approval to use reserve funds to pay off roughly 32.6 billion baht in debt to the train operator, BTSC, settling all outstanding costs through August 2025.

Why it matters: The current 15-baht flat fare on the northern (Mo Chit-Khu Khot) and southern (Bearing-Samrong) extensions doesn’t cover the actual cost of running them.

By the numbers: The annual operating and maintenance cost for the extensions is about 8.4 billion baht, but ticket sales only bring in 2.4 billion baht, leaving Bangkok to subsidize the 6-billion-baht difference, Chadchart said.

The quote: “If we subsidize a lot, it would be unfair for other people who don’t use the Green Line,” Chadchart said.

Big picture: The debt stems from the BMA’s operating contract with the BTSC to run the extensions. This is separate from the 30-year concession contract for the original Green Line. The city’s repeated failure to pay the operator led to multiple lawsuits.

What’s next: Following the payment, expect a formal review of the fare structure. The governor said the flat rate will likely be replaced with a distance-based formula.

Zooming out: The contract for the core Green Line will expire in 2029. Bangkok is weighing whether to find a new private partner or transfer it to the central government. The BTSC’s operating contract for the whole network runs until 2042, however.

A Lat Krabang councilor is pushing for a major facelift for the historic Hua Takhe community, aiming to transform the worn-down canal-side area into a cultural destination.

Why it matters: The area is adjacent to Suvarnabhumi Airport and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang, and is home to a hospital, a national library and several airport hotels.

Big picture: Many of Lat Krabang’s tourist spots, especially the Hua Takhe Old Market, are in a state of disrepair with poor accessibility, making it difficult for visitors to enjoy, said Councilor Surachit Phongsinghvithya.

The plan: The councilor called for new canal-side walkways, improved bridges, public recreational spaces and a “15-minute park” to make the area cleaner, safer and easier to navigate.

What’s next: Deputy Gov. Sanon Wansrangboon said the administration will review the designs and evaluate the budget, noting that tourism-related landscape improvement aligns with a goal for next year’s budget.

The city council is calling on the administration to provide better welfare and protection for city workers in high-risk roles, such as street sweepers and drainage crews.

Why it matters: Bangkok relies on thousands of city workers for safety, cleanliness and flood prevention. But low pay, limited career paths and outdated safety gear undermine public services, councilors said.

Big picture: The call comes after a series of accidents, including a recent incident where a Chom Thong street sweeper lost her leg after being hit by a bus. The city has more than 10,000 street sweepers, the majority of whom are women.

They suggested higher salaries, special hazard pays, accident insurance for on-the-job injuries and specialized health check-ups.

Flashback: Between 2018-22, 10 Bangkok street sweepers died from traffic accidents while on their duties.

What’s next: Deputy Gov. Tavida Kamolvej said the city is drafting new legislation on risk allowances and expanded insurance coverage.

More than 732,00 households have registered for the city’s trash sorting program before Bangkok’s new 60-baht monthly collection fee took effect last Wednesday, officials said.

Why it matters: If you separate your trash into four categories: food waste, recyclables, hazardous waste and general waste, your fee will remain the same at 20 baht a month.

Big picture: The city hopes the discount program will incentivize residents to separate their trash to cut waste by 1,000 tons and save 2 million baht in daily processing costs.

What to do: To register, download the BKK Waste Pay application or do it in person at your district office. You’d need to send proof of waste separation within the platform.

🔎 Dig deeper (English)

Bangkok is creating clearer pathways for artists to legally create art in public, from a new matchmaking service for murals to existing channels for street performances.

Driving the news: The conversation around unsactioned art was sparked after a mural in Charoen Krung — part of a project with several EU embassies — was painted over.

Big picture: The city lacks a formal city-wide process for approving street art, leaving most legal murals to be arranged through special projects or privately. This city now aims to create a structure for that.

The how: Whether you’re a muralist, a musician or a filmmaker, here are the avenues the city is now promoting:

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