BMA
- Bangkok News
Bangkok’s Giant Swing set for urgent repairs amid safety concerns
Repairs to the Giant Swing in Bangkok are set to kick off following concerns about its structural condition. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) City Planning and Development Office, announced that the repairs will follow an inspection conducted with the Thailand Structural Engineers Association. The inspection revealed major damage, including splitting, spalling, and inclined cracks, with the…
- Bangkok News
Busted! Bangkok officials caught in bogus 2.8m baht bus repair scam
Seven officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been detained for their alleged involvement in a corruption scheme concerning fabricated repairs to five buses, resulting in costs of 2.8 million baht. Their arrest followed an inspection of a repair garage yesterday morning, March 12. This inspection was conducted by senior officials, including Phumwisan Kasemsuk, Secretary General of the Public…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok revamps Bueng Si Kan Lake for flood control
Bangkok is gearing up for a wetter future with a major transformation of Bueng Si Kan Lake in Lak Si district, turning it into a massive flood-control reservoir. The ambitious project is part of the city’s monkey cheek initiative to tackle increasing rainfall and prevent severe flooding in one of its most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Deputy Governor Wissanu Sabsomphon announced that…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok chokes on toxic air as PM2.5 levels hit danger zone
Bangkok’s air quality plummeted to hazardous levels, with PM2.5 dust particles soaring to the orange health-threatening category across all 50 districts, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported today. The average PM2.5 concentration in the city reached 47.6 µg/m³ this morning, significantly exceeding the safe limit of 37.5 µg/m³. The five worst-affected districts are Nong Khaem (56.7 µg/m³), Khlong Sam Wa…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s big love leap: Same-sex couples to wed starting January
Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet as the Marriage Equality Bill is set to become law on January 22, making the nation a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. Following its royal endorsement by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and publication in the Royal Gazette on September 24, the countdown to this historic milestone has officially begun.…
- Bangkok News
Rabies scare in Bangkok: Residents warned to avoid Soi Onnut 86
Bangkokians have been put on high alert after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed a rabies outbreak near a garbage treatment centre in Soi Onnut 86, Prawet district. Stray dogs in the area have tested positive for the deadly virus, sparking swift action from health officials. In a Facebook post today, November 29, the BMA Health Department revealed it had…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok reviews overpass closure plan amid traffic concerns
Plans for a one-year closure of the overpass connecting Rama IX Intersection, Asoke-Din Daeng Intersection, and Phang Mueang Intersection, are to be reassessed following concerns about severe traffic congestion. The Metropolitan Police Bureau advised avoiding the roads in the Din Daeng and Huai Khwang districts due to scheduled repairs from tomorrow, November 30. However, the planned closure has sparked significant…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok allocates 14.54 billion baht to settle BTS Skytrain debt
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has sanctioned a substantial budget of 14.54 billion baht for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to address its debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator of the city’s BTS Skytrain. This decision follows a proposal submitted by Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, during a BMC meeting. Chadchart presented a draft ordinance requesting the…
- Bangkok News
Thailand Consumer Council to challenge Bangkok city plan flaws
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) plans to challenge the Bangkok city plan by submitting a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), citing significant failings in the public hearing processes that they argue infringe on citizens’ rights. This action, set for tomorrow, November 5, reflects growing concerns over the lack of public engagement and awareness regarding the city’s planning…
- Thailand News
Rural Roads demands BMA pave the way with late 197.9m baht fee
The Rural Roads Department urged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to settle an outstanding payment of 197.9 million baht in land lease fees. These fees cover the use of three specific areas, including a portion of Ratchaphruek Road, and for the construction of two electric railway lines. Pichit Hoonsiri, the department’s deputy director-general, mentioned that the department sent a formal…
- Thailand News
BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on a comprehensive assessment of historical sites in Thon Buri to promote tourism and bolster the city development plan. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the BMA’s City Planning and Development Department, stated that his team, alongside A-Seven Corporation, a consultancy firm, recently visited numerous communities and landmarks. Their objective is to enhance land use potential…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok’s 14 billion baht bailout for BTS debt moves forward
Bangkok is scrambling to settle a colossal 14-billion-baht debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Council has taken a crucial step, setting up a special committee to scrutinise a draft ordinance allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to access emergency funds. Council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya convened an extraordinary meeting today, putting the spotlight on the hefty repayment…
- Bangkok News
Free rides on Bangkok’s upgraded BRT system for two months
Passengers can now enjoy free rides on Bangkok’s newly upgraded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the next two months, according to a transport official from the operating company. This new service, which started yesterday, September 1, features electric buses that have replaced the old ones running on natural gas for vehicles (NGV) after more than 14 years of use.…
- Thailand News
Bangkok faces 11.75 billion baht Green Line debt crisis
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakom (KT), are urgently reviewing a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruling before they settle a colossal 11.75 billion baht debt owed to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). This follows a Supreme Administrative Court order on July 26, which gave BMA and KT just 180 days to pay up. The…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok City Hall transforms 315 tonnes of surplus food into meals (video)
Bangkok City Hall’s food bank initiative has successfully transformed 315 tonnes of surplus food into over 1.3 million meals for the city’s impoverished and vulnerable residents. Since the launch of BKK Food Bank on August 8, individuals and businesses across Bangkok have donated approximately 315,741 kilogrammes of surplus food. This surplus has been redistributed to 67,449 residents in need, according…
- Thailand News
Bangkok waste disposal crisis: Garbage trucks queue for kilometres (video)
A long line of garbage trucks has formed across Bangkok, with drivers waiting from morning until afternoon yesterday, August 2, to dispose of waste. Authorities are being urged to address the issue promptly. A video clip shared on social media yesterday shows a queue of numerous garbage trucks waiting to offload their waste. The social media page “อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part…
- Bangkok News
MFP to lift the curtain: Bangkok gym gear scandal in the spotlight
The Move Forward Party (MFP) called for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to disclose the results of its investigations into alleged corruption within a procurement programme for gym equipment. Suphanat Meenchainan, MFP MP for Chatuchak, Bang Khen, and Lak Si, announced the procurement irregularities came to public attention online in June. The BMA reportedly faced procurement issues at nine of…
- Thailand News
Bangkok urged to create app for safer, fair motorcycle taxi fares
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been urged by a city council member to develop a new application for motorcycle taxis to ensure passenger safety and fair pricing. Viput Srivaurai, representing Bang Rak district, advocated for leveraging technology and innovation to enhance motorcycle taxi services. Viput emphasised that the BMA should implement a data management system to organise services and…
- Thailand News
NACC calls for probe into BMA’s electric truck project
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) urged the Secretariat of the Cabinet to scrutinise the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) 3.99-billion-baht project aimed at leasing electric garbage trucks, amid concerns of potential corruption. NACC chairman Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit submitted a formal letter to the secretariat yesterday, July 3, providing detailed recommendations on how to prevent corruption in these large-scale projects. The commission had…
- Thailand News
Muay Thai introduced in 437 Bangkok schools to preserve culture
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced the introduction of Muay Thai as an elective course in 437 of its schools, aiming to preserve Thai culture and instil discipline in young students, Following a recent meeting between City Council President Surajit Pongsingwitthaya and the Director of the BMA’s Department of Education, Thanakorn Chaisri, Muay Thai classes will be integrated into the health…
- Thailand News
Bangkok governor probes overpriced gym equipment purchases
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt acknowledged discovering unusual procurement patterns in gym equipment purchases for two sports centres managed by City Hall, with one treadmill costing as much as a car. Chadchart addressed public concerns yesterday regarding the procurement for the sports centres at Waree Phirom Park in Khlong Sam Wa district and Wachirabenchathat Park (Suan Rod Fai) in Chatuchak district.…
- Thailand News
Corrupt BMA official busted: Bangkok bribery scandal exposed
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched a disciplinary committee to investigate a shocking corruption case involving a high-ranking Public Works Department official. Anti-corruption police and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission made headlines yesterday with the arrest of Peempong, a key suspect in a major bribery scandal. Three other suspects were apprehended in coordinated raids. During the dramatic raid on Peempong’s…
- Thailand News
Bangkok official arrested for 9 million baht bribe in road plan scam
A senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) official has been arrested for allegedly accepting a 9 million baht bribe to alter road construction plans to avoid a golf course, seizing luxury cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the process. At 6am today, Brigadier General Prasong Chelimpun, head of the Anti-Corruption Division, led a team of officers in the Anti-Corruption Commission Division 2,…
- Thailand News
Manhole mayhem: Thefts lead to deadly consequences in Bangkok
The theft of manhole covers in Bangkok has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to convene a meeting yesterday with all related agencies. The meeting aimed to devise strategies to prevent future thefts and enhance pedestrian safety on city pavements. The meeting led by BMA Deputy Permanent Secretary Narong Ruangsri included representatives…
- Thailand News
Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations
To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city. Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a…
- Thailand News
Sustainable solutions: Bangkok’s waste-to-energy plants
To combat the Thai capital’s mounting garbage crisis, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rolling out two cutting-edge waste-to-energy plants to revolutionise waste management by 2026. BMA permanent secretary Wanthanee Wattana voiced unwavering confidence in the timely completion of these game-changing facilities. Wattana revealed that construction is well underway at the Nong Khaem and On Nut garbage disposal centres, with Privy…
- Thailand News
BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) slammed the brakes on the construction of three ambitious mass transit projects, citing a crippling shortage of funds. Instead, the projects, the Silver, Grey, and Light Blue lines, will now be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for execution, leaving commuters in the Thai capital hanging in uncertainty. The decision, rubber-stamped at a meeting…
- Thailand News
City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…
- Thailand News
Fare play: Bangkok’s Green Line extension bets on 15-baht flat fee, rolling out in January
The Green Line extension of the Bangkok Mass Transit System, also known as the BTS Skytrain, is set to begin charging a flat fare of 15 baht across the entire line, with the implementation projected to start in January next year. The fare will apply to the second extended section, which includes Mo Chit to Saphan Mai to Khu Khot,…
- Thailand News
Bangkok trash talk: BMA sparks a green revolution with electric trucks and waste-to-energy wonders
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is making strides to modernise waste management in the city, with plans to introduce electric garbage trucks and construct two additional waste-to-energy (WTE) plants. Deputy permanent secretary of the BMA, Chatree Wattanakajorn, announced this progressive move yesterday. The BMA has successfully negotiated a contract permitting a private firm to construct the WTE plants at waste…
