☀️ Happy long weekend! With winds blowing north, officials said Chiang Mai smog isn’t concerning for Bangkok. Looking for something to do for Songkran? Check out a list of 67 major Songkran events across Thailand.

That’s the projected “feel-like” heat index in Celsius for parts of Bangkok in early April, according to the Meteorological Department and City Hall.

Why it matters: Unlike air temperature, the heat index factors in humidity to determine how the body actually experiences heat. A reading of 60 degrees put Bangkok in the “extreme danger” zone, where heatstroke is likely even with moderate outdoor activity.

Zooming out: Despite the heat, there are nearly 80 events across the city for Songkran. The city usually empties during the holiday, but officials expect a significantly higher population staying in the capital as residents dodge rising gas prices and travel costs.

While South Sukhumvit is a rising economic hub, its physical layout is actively working against the well-being of its residents, a new urban planning study finds.

Why it matters: The Phra Khanong-Bangna corridor is eyed for a health-focused overhaul. The neighborhood suffers from structural “dead zones” that discourage movement and social interaction, researchers said.

By the numbers: 43% of the area consists of dead-end alleys, forcing car dependency. Residents average only 4.5 square meters of green space each — half the WHO recommendation — and must walk more than 1 kilometer to reach a park.

The intrigue: Despite having two electric train lines (Green and Yellow), poor connectivity makes the journey from the station home difficult, especially for older adults. Poor drainage and a lack of local health centers or learning spaces add to daily stress.

The proposal: Planners proposed pedestrian and cycling paths along the Bang Na Canal, more 15-minute parks in dense areas, opening underutilized state land for health tracks and transit shortcuts and reviving local landmarks to serve as social hubs.

Former Pheu Thai councilors have formed a new political group for the local elections, mirroring Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt’s previous gubernatorial campaign, despite lacking his endorsement.

Why it matters: This comes with reports that Pheu Thai is skipping this race entirely. The shift signals a change in how established political players are navigating Bangkok’s electoral landscape.

State of play: Chadchart won’t announce whether he will run again until his term ends. Councilors who were previously affiliated with Pheu Thai formed the Better Bangkok group, led by Lat Krabang Councilor Surachit Phongsinghvithya.

Yes, but… City Hall denied any affiliation. Chadchart said his policies and campaign colors are public property and weren’t trademarked, leaving them open for use.

Flashback: This isn’t the first pivot. Surachit and a few others launched “Bangkok First” last year, but the group has had no development since.

Zooming in: Pheu Thai didn’t field a gubernatorial candidate in the 2022 local elections, instead having its councilor candidates support Chadchart’s independent bid. Pheu Thai secured 20 out of 50 seats in the council.

Zooming out: Pheu Thai didn’t perform well in recent national polls. The party won only one Bangkok seat in 2023 with a four-point margin in Lat Krabang. The party didn’t win any seats this year.

What to watch: If Phue Thai sits out the race, expect their councilors to run under Better Bangkok or as independents. Meanwhile, the People’s Party, which swept Bangkok in the recent election, is also expected to announce its own slate of candidates soon.

The National Human Rights Commission ruled the Mass Rapid Transit Authority violated Din Daeng residents’ rights with “low-ball” payouts and opaque land expropriation for the Orange Line’s Pracha Songkhro Station.

Why it matters: The station was pitched to improve transit access for low-income residents. Instead, the project displaced more than 200 households, despite their protests. This ruling validates their decade-long fight.

Yes, but… The NHRC’s decision is more of a recommendation than a legal order.

State of play: The NHRC found that while market listings in the area average 438,000 baht per square wah, some residents were offered as low as 29,000 baht. The MRTA also withheld calculation details, something the NHRC called a violation of information rights.

The ruling urges compensation to include “mental damage” for those losing partial land, recognizing the significant trauma and safety risks of living amid heavy construction and new traffic routes.

What’s next: The MRTA and the Transport Ministry are urged to form a joint committee with the community representatives to review these figures and ensure fair payouts.

City Hall launched “Benjakitti Park for Better Health,” installing professional outdoor muscle-building equipment, inspired by Copenhagen’s urban sports hubs.

Why it matters: Bangkok residents average 13 hours of sitting per day. With more than half the population now facing obesity and related chronic diseases, the city is focusing on “active design” to hit a target of reducing the obesity rates by 5% a year.

Big picture: The section features squat stations, parallel bars, bench presses and rowing machines, among others. It opens daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lumphini Park is soon slated for the same upgrade, including the addition of new pickleball courts.

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