Bangkok

RTUS - Team Bangkok - The City in Our Eyes© RTUS - Team Bangkok

Bangkok (Full name: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit) is a capital of Thailand. The name means “a vast city like a god city”.

It was originally known as the Venice of the east because of its geography. Located at the lower Chao Phraya river basin, Bangkokian’s livelihoods are related to the small canals and rivers: transporting, trading or farming. However, it became a thing of the past after we changed from “water city” to “land city”. Traditional ways of living have disappeared almost entirely.

Bangkok is a center for everything in the country such as economy, transportation or education. This has made Bangkok the most primate city in the world with 35 times more population than the second largest city which is Chiang Mai.

Bangkok is a city which never sleeps, bustling at dawn or dusk. It is always full of lights and noise. There are spaces for many activities and facilities 24 hours a day.

Moreover, Bangkok is a multicultural city with communities of various ethnicities, religions and beliefs along both sides of Chao Phraya and it has been that way for a long time. There is a variety of architecture at temples, churches, masjid or shrines. Many travellers are here for the scrumptious street foods.

Team Name: RTUS Bangkok
The City in Our Eyes

Bangkok is connected by many canals and some have been converted into roads or lands over time along with the city development under conditions of social classes and short term policy by a person in authority. The problem is that the development process is disconnected in a big picture. Waterways in the past have turned into many dead ends which are too far to get to. Walkways can only be for cars and roads are continuously being expanded. Traffic jams are what everyone knows about bangkok. All of these problems as well as city plans have contributed to inequality, unrealistic housing costs, slums, economic and societal issues. The solutions can never cover the root causes and not every group gets the same benefit. Mismanagement has allowed companies and capitalists to have too much power in managing spaces. Only a few commercial areas are being developed repeatedly to meet the demand of foreign tourists and this is not for the good of everyone worsening inequality issues. It is easily noticed by bad public transportation, neglected public spaces or uneven walkways with motorcycles running on it. These developments are overlooking the people. Now the quality of life or Bangkok identity is lost, Bangkok has become a civilized city of placelessness for its people. Some Bangkokian will never think about how they love or miss their own city.
 
Although Bangkok is a cultural, economic, tourism and education center, people have become hopeless with scattered developments and substantial inequality. People have to form their own organization or group to cope with societal structures. Although we are living with the unremitting lights, these lights can never bring safety to those struggling to get by. The soaring stress level and sickness are affecting relationships. Concrete and economy may bring development to this city while the dwellers are suffering more and more. Nevertheless, there are many groups which demand change on the level of community, youth or organization. They are taking actions to improve quality of life and use their capability for a better change every day. No matter how slow or fast, we have hope to continue doing it.
 

Activities we would like to do in the city
‘Bottom-Up, not Top-Down’

  • Make a city which is more suitable for everyone. People will want to leave the house. Promote quality space and housing for all in a safe city. Safe public transportation and walkways will be accessible. Public spaces will be created for activities like outdoor sport, art and become a city of learning where everyone can go to the library and access the internet.
  • Adjust the city plan to suit more people. We want to improve the urban plan with better zoning and waste management systems for a good environment. There should be less pollution and become a green city for all.
  • The city should promote democracy where people are encouraged to engage. People should help design how to develop spaces and contribute to the policy more in the city to truly cater to lifestyles of the people. Everyone should have access to the system to create change, to really take action and to foster a sense of belonging. Bangkokian would want to improve their spaces and care about their areas. They will be able to say “I miss Bangkok so much” and “I want to go back to my home, Bangkok”.

How could we change our city?

  1. Trying to raise awareness among the city people via online channels, projects or media, helping them realize their rights and what they can do for a change. They should recognize their identity and foster a sense of belonging for their own communities. They should be immune to outside influences and solve the problem within the community effectively. Also they should care and respect others more.
  2. Get together and conveying the voice of the youths. The voice that demands change for the city should be fostered by a youth city development network.
  3. To fieldwork, observe and to interview the people in a community about what they want. To voice the concerns in the community and come up with solutions through several projects. We should study the area, think of good solutions and publicize it for other communities as well. We should also encourage the locals to learn about their area and their own identity more.
  4. To pay equal attention to people of all occupations such as people who work in sanitation or cleaning. They provide a good atmosphere and good feeling for all. City should be aimed to create equality for everyone.

Our Visions

  • People in the area has the spirit and hope to solve problems
  • A safe areas for everyone
  • Everyone has access to better quality of fe and engage in city development equally

Our Motto
Once built by the deities, henceforth by the people

Our motto should reflect the current city motto which is about the grandness and significance of Bangkok in the eyes of the gods who created this city without the best interest on real living conditions of the people on the ground. Our goal is to bring the future of the city into the hands of the people who actually live and drive it forward.
 

Team Members

Kornkamon Srivat (Nook), Chantakarn Chaiyaruek​ (Piano), Jirat Worrarattanawong (Dee), Chinnakrit Aroontheerapoj (Ohm), Yanin Thunkijjanukij (Mue), Thanawadi Theerakulvanich (Anda), Natcha Thongtaradol (Am), Pakornwit Wiangsripanawan (Jabik), Pitchakorn Laolugsanalerd (Aurnaurn), Pitchapa Wangprasertkul (Pitch), Pichyapa Khanapattanawong (Putter), Bharis Senivongse (Bharis), Phumpakorn Saranun (Phum), Ruedhaidham Soros (Naat), Varakorn Sitinatesakul (Neab), Waranard Junjamsai (Pang), Watcharapong Wongkaew (North), Sathita Bussayabuntoon (Jomjam), Suwanna Chamnaekwong (Pu), Achira Sirimongkolkasem (Jomyuth), Anakamanee Krisdhasima (Ploy), Apisara Haingsa (Ruangkhao), Apasorn Prasongkit (Beam), Arina Hiriwiriyakun (Fah)