Help must be city-wide

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in conjunction with the Interior Ministry, recently launched the “Sukhumvit model,” an initiative to improve safety, public order and quality of life in the key central business district of the city, covering Watthana and Klong Toey districts.

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The initiative, designed as a sandbox, kicked off this month with media fanfare. Most media channels ran footage featuring an inspection walk by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who was accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich and other officials.

The inspection route stretched from Sukhumvit Soi 39 to Soi 3 in Watthana district, including the Asok intersection, to sois 4-24 in Klong Toey district, more than 5 kilometres in total. At a glance, the idea seems noteworthy and intriguing. But looking deep into the initiative, the mission largely involves routine works, such as boosts to public safety, quality of life and better traffic control.