Bangkok envisions future more like Singapore

[reader]

From The Nation

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has launched a major initiative to redefine Bangkok's future, urging a shift from a city known for its "buzz" to one celebrated for its "liveability."

Speaking at a key planning seminar, he highlighted the need for a strategic overhaul to address the city's persistent inefficiencies and improve the quality of life for all residents.

The Governor emphasised that while Bangkok attracts tourists with its vibrant atmosphere, it lags behind regional rivals like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in terms of liveability.

He criticised the city's notorious traffic congestion and the impact of corruption, calling for a more efficient and effective administration.

"We must move beyond day-to-day operations and adopt a clear, strategic vision," Mr. Chadchart told attendees. "Bangkok is a thrilling city to visit, but it is not yet a truly liveable city, and this is a major problem."

Continues at

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/bangkok/40049193

[PeterRS]

How many times have we heard this over the years? Corruption and Traffic! Nothing has ever happened and nothing is going to happen! Bangkok does not have the space for new streets. It has far more cars per head of population than Singapore, KL and other major cities. Only by reducing the number of cars and getting the older ones and older buses off the streets does it have a chance of becoming more liveable! As for corruption, it is endemic and nothing has changed. I hold little hope that anything will change as long as the present elites remain in charge.

[bkkmfj2648]

25 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

Bangkok does not have the space for new streets. It has far more cars per head of population than Singapore,

In this version of Bangkok, I agree with what you wrote.

But, since the city is sinking into the underneath clay earth, aren't they talking about moving Bangkok to avoid the eventual flooding that will ensue from the continuous sinking?

In closing, I hope that they never manage to transform Bangkok to be like Singapore - as it would lose the reasons fir which we come to Bangkok and not Singapore.

[floridarob]

1 hour ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

But, since the city is sinking into the underneath clay earth, aren't they talking about moving Bangkok to avoid the eventual flooding that will ensue from the continuous sinking?

Jakarta is in the same boat, literally  and moving governmental offices out 

[Keithambrose]

43 minutes ago, floridarob said:

Jakarta is in the same boat, literally  and moving governmental offices out 

If Jakarta is literally in the same boat, it would have to be a very large boat!

[floridarob]

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 

In closing, I hope that they never manage to transform Bangkok to be like Singapore - as it would lose the reasons fir which we come to Bangkok and not Singapore.

words of wisdom. I hope by time they start  killing 'buzz' and introducing liveability  I will be gone or at least too old to be interested in travel there.

[PeterRS]

10 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

If Jakarta is literally in the same boat, it would have to be a very large boat!

@bkkmfj2648 did specifically say they are moving "government offices out" not floating a boat!

12 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 

since the city is sinking into the underneath clay earth, aren't they talking about moving Bangkok to avoid the eventual flooding that will ensue from the continuous sinking?

 

Another canard they have been taking about for decades. This was given added impetus after the utterly disastrous long-term flooding of 2011. And what has been done about it? Nothing! Zilch! Nadda! 

This was from the Bangkok Post 2 years ago - 

According to the annual Global Climate Risk Index by Germanwatch, Thailand jumped from 43rd on the ranking of most affected countries by extreme weather in 2011 to ninth in the latest edition of the analysis in 2021 . . .Thanawat Jarupongsakul, president of the Thailand Global Warming Academy, an independent climate think tank . . . said Bangkok is apparently the most vulnerable area in Thailand to the looming threats of climate change. The low-lying Chao Phraya River delta has an average elevation of around 1.5 metres above sea level.

"Considering the rise in sea level in local waters near Bangkok is about 1.2 centimetres per year, if nothing is done to protect Bangkok's shoreline, the waterline will slowly creep further inland by about 1.3 kilometres every year," he said. 

"Eventually, it is likely that most of Bangkok Metropolitan will sink beneath sea level within the next 100 years. So, governmental agencies need to carry out immediate action to ensure the integrity of the shoreline."

Meanwhile, another report on the economic impact of extreme sea level rises in seven Asian cities by Greenpeace says almost all of Bangkok will be vulnerable to floods in the scenario of an extreme sea level rise by 2030. Under this extreme projection about 96% of the city will be below the mean sea level. 

Asst Prof Wijitbusaba said Bangkok's poor urban planning is also playing a major part in the exacerbation of flood risks.

"Bangkok is expanding without a plan. So, the city is now encroaching into surrounding floodways in the east and west, blocking the natural drainage pathway of seasonal flooding and causing the problem to worsen," she said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2499786/bangkok-is-still-sinking-and-fast-

And still nothing has been done! The city keeps expaning and keeps permitting the construction of larger and taller buildings and an increase in the number of vehicles. In Tokyo every household is required to have an earthquake kit. Very soon I reckon Bangkok will require flooding kits.

[BjornAgain]

One of the first decisions that Lee Kuan Yew made in 1959 was passing English as the first language "to maximise economic prosperity". Which coming as a former British Colony was already widely spoken.

For Thailand to prosper it needs to embrace the international arena more, as currently it's reputation is one based on tourism, rather that manufacturing or service industries.

To conduct trade you need to communicate, which on a 1:1 basis can be executed via mobile phone translation Apps, an experience we are all familiar with, yet in the commercial / business world a common language is a necessity, and it's called English.

The other key point the capital needs to address is the physical logistics of moving about. Bangkok is sinking at approximately 2cm per annum, that's before you factor in any rising sea levels due to Global Warming. With an average of 1.5m above sea level, you don't need a large abacus or calculator to work out this should be the big priority.

Historically Bangkok had the solution, ie the klong, yet as European influence grew in the 19th and 20th centuries,  the former "Venice of The East" gave way to the mess of roads we have today.

 With the drive for EV, this will compound the issue further, as EV vehicles are on average 30% heavier.

Is there a solution to make Bangkok more liveable and more like KL or Singapore?.

You could charge 106,000USD for the right to own a car on a 10 year license, tax imported cars double their initial retail value, ban petroleum based scooters and only allow e-scooters like they do in Singapore. Would the Thai populus support this? It would certainly make Bangkok more pleasurable to visit.

Brainstorming ideas is one thing, but implementing is another, enforcement is a third.  Culturally Thailand is good at the former but only on their own, but the changes required and their enforcement is where the issue lies, it's not going to happen, certainly not in our lifetimes.

 

[PeterRS]

1 hour ago, BjornAgain said:

You could charge 106,000USD for the right to own a car on a 10 year license, tax imported cars double their initial retail value, ban petroleum based scooters and only allow e-scooters like they do in Singapore. Would the Thai populus support this? It would certainly make Bangkok more pleasurable to visit.

Never in a million years! Remember the promises make by Yingluck Thaksin when running for Prime Minister in 2011? One of her first give-aways was up to Bt. 100,000 tax rebates on those buying first-time cars and keeping them for five years. The rebate kicked in after the first 12 months of ownership. Not only was Bt. 81.1 billion given out by the Treasury, car sales ballooned to a record high of 1.42 million vehicles in 2012. And the number of new roads constructed at this time? I can see evidence of none! With Bangkok's road pattern of masses of long extremely narrow sois incapable of taking public buses linking in to very long wide highways, there is no room for new road construction unless a great many homes are demolished. Traffic-wise, Bangkok will remain a shambles! Only a new effectively planned capital city is the solution.