Bangkok’s old warehouses and office buildings, often left empty by owners waiting for developers, hold untapped potential for creative regeneration. These spaces could be transformed into coworking hubs, restaurants, or cultural landmarks, like Galileoasis or Warehouse 30, adding vibrancy and preserving history. Sustainable renovations, such as adding solar panels, green walls, and reusing materials, can make these spaces more efficient and eco-friendly. Though challenges like costs and Bangkok’s “new is better” mindset remain, a step-by-step approach—assessing the building, defining its purpose, and launching flexibly—can help owners unlock their value. By embracing their past, Bangkok’s forgotten buildings could play a key role in shaping its future.

Anne Hidalgo’s statement, "A city's creativity doesn't depend on cars," inspires a reimagining of Bangkok, a city heavily reliant on vehicles due to its unique climate, culture, and infrastructure. While Bangkok faces challenges like heat, unpredictable weather, and limited public transit, envisioning a future with shaded, tree-lined sidewalks, dedicated cycling lanes, and electric public transportation offers a hopeful alternative. This dream of a greener, more vibrant city also includes reclaiming streets for community spaces and urban agriculture, aiming for resilience against climate change. Yet, the reality is tough, as Bangkok's deep-rooted reliance on cars won't change overnight. However, small steps toward this vision can help transform Bangkok into a city prioritizing people, creativity, and sustainability.

The discussion highlights Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a strategic approach for improving urban mobility and economic vitality in Thailand, with a focus on Bangkok. By integrating residential, commercial, and leisure spaces around public transit systems, TOD aims to reduce congestion, enhance public health, and stimulate economic growth. The success of European cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, which have implemented park-and-ride facilities and extensive cycling infrastructure, serves as inspiration. The proposal for Bangkok includes developing mobility hubs, investing in infrastructure that supports non-motorized transport, and adapting these strategies to local urban conditions to promote a sustainable and efficient city environment.

Bangkok's explosive growth has increased significant challenges, including traffic congestion, pollution, and climate change issues. Diversifying the country's urban development focus can distribute economic activities more evenly and promote regional growth. Secondary cities, with their unique strengths and opportunities, can become catalysts for nationwide development, reducing the dependency on Bangkok.

Traffic congestion in Bangkok is more than just an inconvenience; it significantly impacts the economy and the environment. Hourly workers, for example, lose up a substantial part of their daily income due to time spent in traffic jams. Additionally, the impact on the environment is substantial, as idle engines contribute to air pollution, which exacerbates health issues and decreases quality of life.

Paris's Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been a pioneer with the"15-minute city" concept, which envisions a city where all residents can meet their essential needs within a fifteen-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. This approach aims to improve quality of life by reducing car dependency and promoting neighborhood and community cohesion. Important part of this vision are transformative initiatives, such as reclaiming streets for pedestrians and cyclists. She took a big risk with her bold approach, but it pays off.

In Thailand, as in many ASEAN cities, urban planning often focuses on short-term gains. Very understandable but it’s mostly leading to fragmented infrastructure and missed opportunities for more holistic development. There are absolutely strategies and long-term goals, but it lacks vision mostly. Embracing a long-term vision can revolutionize urban development, fostering sustainability and resilience while addressing pressing issues like traffic congestion, pollution, housing and insufficient greenspaces.

The closure of roads during Songkran is an amazing opportunity for reevaluating the conventional use of urban spaces. By prioritizing cultural events over traffic, cities have the opportunity to foster a deeper sense of community engagement and pride among the people. Moreover, the temporary suspension of car accessibility encourages individuals to explore alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, or public transport.

Since I’m in this city, I noticed the thick blanket of smog that often hangs over it. It affects my breathing and my lungs, and not only mine. As a sustainable urbanist, I recognize this pressing issue. Trees are nature's air purifiers. They soak up bad stuff from the air. By strategically planting and maintaining trees throughout the city, we can significantly improve air quality and improve the overall health of residents. Although there is a lot of tree planting done already, there is still a lot more possible.