A tale of two sides of Bangkok

Bangkok Post 10/01/2010

There's an honest eight-year-old girl selling flowers in the streets with no hope for the future. Then there's a spoiled brat who will grow up to be a spoiled big brat who will determine the future of this country

As yesterday, Jan 9, was Children's Day, I would like to share with you, dear readers, a story about children. After all, the prime minister also announced yesterday that children are our future. Therefore, let's see what the future might hold.

Usually, at the stop light at a major intersection, my humble vehicle is surrounded by perhaps a Mini Cooper, a Mercedes, an Audi or even a Lamborghini. And I think to myself: ''Wow, lots of rich people live here.''

Sure, there are other vehicles of the middle-class range or lower, but why take notice of them? I'm already driving one.

We are all responsible for the urban environment

The Nation 08/01/2010

Lack of civic awareness explains why Bangkok remains a dirty, polluted city

Bangkok may not be the dirtiest capital city in Asia but if you are happy about its overall hygienic condition, then your expectations are remarkably low. Pick a public spot and the evidence is always there. Litter, be it cigarette butts, used bottles, plastic bags, dog and cat faeces, and more, are still common sights. This is not to mention the dust and airborne construction debris.

This isn't to say that street sweepers and cleaners working for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) aren't working hard. For what they earn, and the level of pollution and trash they face, they deserve a great deal of credit, although some may argue that we need more of them and need them to work harder.

One area not pursued at this point is raising of awareness about the city's cleanliness and citizens' duties in contributing to such a cause. Not since Chamlong Srimuang was Bangkok governor two decades ago was any serious cleanup campaign mounted, and today, Greater Bangkok remains a dirty place. An ongoing campaign to educate Bangkokians about the virtue of not littering is needed urgently. And now is the time that action has to be taken.