🗞️ Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend! A highway underpass at Sukhumvit 50 turned into a park last week. After a heavy storm, the city is offering aid to impacted residents. Finally, take a look at these eight shots by news outlets and independent photographers and vote for your favorite.

🎉 We’ve just hit 100+ subscribers last week! Thank you for being our founding readers. I'll be reaching out to some of you for feedback next week, but feel free to email me anytime.

ONE BIG NUMBER
🚌 30

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning is finalizing a proposal for 30 new feeder bus routes in Bangkok, which will connect commuters to mass transit train stations.

Why it matters: Even with the upcoming 20-baht fare cap, getting to a station can still be expensive for many. A poll by the Bang Rak councilor found 52% of mid-city Bangkok commuters drive to a station, highlighting a significant last-mile problem.

What’s next: The finalized proposal will be submitted to the Department of Land Transport, which will then open a bidding process to select operators.

CITY GOVERNANCE
1. 🛍️ City considers giving up Chatuchak Market control

What happened: The city is considering handing management of Chatuchak Market back to the State Railway of Thailand, citing a lack of expertise in handling complex lease agreements with vendors.

Why it matters: The potential move follows mounting criticism over poor market conditions, vendor disputes, rising rents and allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

• Chatuchak is a cultural landmark, popular with both locals and tourists. But its ongoing dysfunction threatens its future and reflects deeper issues in how public assets are managed.

Big picture: The market’s control was handed to Bangkok from the SRT in 2018 under a military government order. The city reportedly owes the SRT 1.2 billion baht in unpaid rent under a lease that the city administration maintains it never signed. The court case is currently in the appeals process.

Dig deeper: Although the official rent cap is 1,800 baht per month, some vendors report paying more than 4,000 baht due to additional and unofficial charges. Complaints also pointed to broken bathrooms that have been under maintenance for months

Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said it’s time to reevaluate: “We don’t think the market is our core business.”

• The Market Office acknowledged past problems with developing and improving the eight public bathrooms, noting some are now open and the renovation of others is being expedited.

INFRASTRUCTURE
2.🌳 Phloen Chit Road green upgrades eyed

What happened: The Environmental Office is planning a beautification project for the traffic islands along Phloen Chit Road. The improvements could include dredging, replacing soil and adding new plants.

Why it matters: The road is a central artery in Bangkok’s economic district, home to key landmarks like Erawan Shrine, Central Embassy, Central Chidlom and the InterContinental Bangkok, as well as connecting to Lang Suan and Witthayu roads.

JUST THE HEADLINES
3. Catch up quickly

• 🪧 Protesters in Bangkok (and Trump) called for a ceasefire at the border.

• 🏛️ Bangkok Metropolitan Council Chair Surachit Phongsinghvithya is reportedly stepping down from his post this week.

• 🛒 King Power Corporation will close three of its duty-free stores, including locations at Mahanakhon Tower and Srivaree, citing declining tourism.

QUALITY OF LIFE
4. 🤢 Khlongs clogged with trash. Councilors demand crackdown

What happened: More than 1,600 of Bangkok’s waterways are filled with large waste items, overflowing trash and toxic odors, in parts, because of the city’s lack of enforcement and residents’ lack of awareness, city councilors said.

Why it matters: These clogged canals create flood hazards, serve as breeding grounds for disease and threaten the local ecosystem.

What they're saying: While laws allow for up to 10,000 baht in fines for dumping, enforcement has been weak. Vendors, renters and residents along the waterways often toss garbage straight into the klongs.

• Councilors said it's time for increased surveillance, stricter fines and a public education campaign.

The quote: "Canals don't talk, but they can weep," said Chom Thong Councilor Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn. "It’s time for Bangkok to take real action, not just campaign, for a livable Bangkok for everyone."

What you can do: If you need to dispose of large waste items (like furniture), the city has a large waste disposal service for free at multiple locations each weekend. You can check out the weekly schedule on Facebook or the service’s website.

TRANSPORTATION
5. 🚆 Four new metro lines advance this year under 15-year transit plan

What happened: Thailand is kicking off four “urgent” mass transit rail projects this year, including three red line extensions and the new brown line. Bidding for the Red Line projects is expected by October, and for the Brown Line by year-end, Thansettakij reported.

Where: The Red Line extension will run from Rangsit to Thammasat University (four stations), Taling Chan to Salaya (four stations) and Taling Chan to Siriraj (three stations). The Brown Line will be a new route from Khae Rai to Lam Sali via Buen Kum, spanning 20 stations.

Why it matters: These projects are part of a 15-year plan to build 19 new rail lines. Once complete in 2040, ridership could reach 3.4 million daily, according to officials.

🗺️ Check out the full M-MAP2 plan.

WEEKLY EXPLAINER
🚨 What’s relevant for Bangkok residents in Thailand-Cambodia clash

What’s going on: The ongoing border clash has resulted in 20 deaths and 80 injuries on the Thai side, including both civilians and military personnel. At least 520,000 people have been displaced, according to officials.

Why it matters: While the fighting is geographically distant from Bangkok, it's a major event dominating news feeds. Here's what Bangkok residents should know, as these might affect you or be of interest:

Key points:

• Humanitarian support:

  • Bangkok has a 24/7 donation center at Sao Ching Cha City Hall, and 50 district offices are also accepting donations during business hours.

  • The Thai Red Cross Society is urging the public to stagger blood donations, noting current supplies are sufficient for immediate emergency needs.

  • Bangkok Community Help Foundation opened its “Center of Dream” to provide temporary housing for displaced individuals.

• Travel and transportation:

  • Commercial flights are operating as usual, the transport minister said.

  • Thai Airways has reduced its services between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, and the aviation authority recommends passengers traveling to Cambodia check with their airlines for any changes.

  • Transport Co. has suspended its Bangkok-Buntharik (Ubon Ratchathani) bus route.

• Economic impact: The Thai baht has fallen after reaching its highest value since 2022.

• Public safety: The Royal Thai Police have issued a reminder that attacking individuals from Cambodia is a crime and have warned the public about potential donation scams.

• Political implications: An anti-government protest at Victory Monument, stemming from the government’s handling of the border tension, has been postponed to Aug. 2 from July 27.

• Reliable sources: Beyond official government channels, consider checking Prachatai English, Cofact and ThaiPBS Verify.

🗨️ Got a question about how something works in Bangkok? Reply to this email or hit me up at [email protected]. I’ll break it down in a future explainer!

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