Green Bangkok - Environmental Issues

Construction along Sukhumvit Road : Time to include a spot for trees and greenery.

Greenery around Property Developments

One of our wishes * seems to have been granted. We suggested a few years ago (initial article) that property developers should reserve part of new developments for greenery and trees. We never thought it could happen, but new measures add ressing this issue have been proposed. [We will have to wait, possibly any new government might have different ideas]
Apparently, developers will have to plant trees proportionate to the air-conditioning capacity of the constructed buildings. This according to 'Environmental Impact Assessments' or EIAs. An article in the Bangkok Post (17 January 2008) quotes various spokespersons moaning about the new proposed measure : the number of units per development will have to be reduced, costs per unit will have to be raised. Some developers even suggested to be allowed to plant trees away from their development (I guess they would prefer to add a few trees to one of Thailand's forests).
Background :

1) If you leave a plot of land unattended in Bangkok, it will take only a few years (maybe only one) to have some substantial tree growth. While overall Bangkok is not an environmentally clean city, off the main road there are still a lot of green plots. They often are located in the villa compounds of upper class people.
However, land plots located in Central Bangkok are very valuable. As a result, many of these already rich people found it wise to sell their plot of land and relocate. Along Sukhumvit road, where we live, a lot of construction sites are clearly visible, and of course, all the 'green spots' are disappearing.
2) Certainly we consider the benefit to the overall environment of planting trees. Even more important is the benefit to children. We have the opinion that a lot of present problems (behavioral, obesity) of youngsters are related to being overly constrained when living in a city environment. As such, any trees planted, should be part of a 'playground' setting, where children can play and run around.

Close to sunset - View of Lake Ratchada and buildings along Ratchadapisek Road.

On a larger scale : Thailand Tobacco Monopoly

The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly grounds occupy a large plot of land between Sukhumvit Road and Rama IV Road. It is located at the back of the even sois along Sukhumvit Road. Part of the ground have been reserved for the Queen Sirikit Convention Center, and more recently for the development of Benjakitti Park around Rachada Lake. Benjakitti Park is a nice start, but most of the area is occupied by the lake, so that in effect the green area along the lake is rather small. The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly is scheduled to move outside of Bangkok. When cycling around the grounds (a good place for a ride, with little traffic to face), it appears the buildings are mainly used for storage. The move out of Bangkok has been publicized at least since the last two decades, but seems to be an unduly slow process. It is a large area, that demands a useful purpose. Certainly, Benjakitti Park needs to be enlarged. We suggest an area is reserved for sport activities. Instead of yet more hotels or condominiums, if something needs to be built we suggest a sports center and/or a large capacity facility for entertainment events and exhibitions. At present, large convention centers are located actually outside Bangkok (BITEC in Bangna, IMPACT in Nonthaburi). On the other hand, we would not like to see most of the space being converted into a large parking lot.

Recycling Bangkok-style

At our apartment we are kindly asked to deposit our garbage in either a bin for perishable goods, or a bin for plastics, paper, bottles, cans etc. Not quite sure what happens thereafter, since the garbage trucks coming at night, seem to mix everything together again (unless we miss something).
However, a lot of garbage is actually recycled due to market forces.
There are good incentives to recycle and separate items. The going price (beginning of 2008) for paper is 12 baht per kilo and for compressed cans (beer, cola drinks etc.) is no less than 50 baht per kilo. The maids (and security personnel) have a good trade collecting paper and cans (and possibly also plastics and bottles) and selling in to 'private' garbage collectors who seem to roam Bangkok's side streets at all times. It is also a common sight in Bangkok to see people actually work the garbage bins to pick out the valuable items. This activity started in earnest after the Asian crisis in 1997 and never subsided, on the contrary. It probably attests to the prevailing rates of poverty in the country, but also to the increased value of recycled goods.

A 'garbage' scavenger in our soi (Sukhumvit Road)

Monitoring pollution in Bangkok

You can see daily pollution levels for Bangkok (and Thailand) at the website of Pollution Control Department. Unfortunately no pollution levels seem to be measured along Silom Road or Sukhumvit Road, two areas of interest to foreign visitors. Each time when we visit this site (use the English language links on the right to see the present pollution levels) it looks like things are not looking that bad. Pollution levels are usually measured to be 'moderate'. Our personal impression is that pollution levels have indeed improved when compared to the levels 10 or 15 years ago. One advice, do not linger around below the skytrain platforms. The air is obviously trapped and very foul there, and devices to circulate the air would be very useful.

It's the little things

Environmental concerns are still very minimal or non-existing among Thai consumers, and big shopping malls certainly do not take bold initiatives.
At all possible occasions one is inundated by unnecessary plastic bags. One interesting new development is that the Mall department stores (including Siam Paragon and Emporium Shopping Complex) have started issuing biodegradable plastic bags, and other department stores, no doubt, will follow this example.
Besides the obligatory plastic bags, convenience stores and supermarkets will provide you with plastic spoons when you buy a small cup of yoghurt, and straws when you purchase soft drinks or even when you buy beer cans.
One example of overly unnecessary 'service' : when you fill a container (plastic) at the salad bar of Siam Paragon's or Emporium's gourmet market, you are provided with paper napkins, and plastic utensils, as if you are going to eat the salad there and then at the supermarket (or do not have the necessary forks and spoons at home).

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