Picture courtesy of Khlong Toei district office via Bangkok Post

 

In a bold move, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has revealed its "Sukhumvit Model," targeting safety and quality of life along the bustling Sukhumvit Road.

 

This initiative, spearheaded by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, aims to transform one of Bangkok's busiest areas into a blueprint for urban improvement.

 

On Thursday night, Governor Chadchart, along with a team of senior officials, inspected a five-kilometre stretch from Sukhumvit Soi 39 to Soi 3, including key hotspots like the Asoke Intersection.

 

The initiative confronts major urban challenges, such as illegal activities, homelessness, and poor infrastructure, affecting both locals and tourists.

 

Governor Chadchart highlighted persistent problems, including illegal cannabis sales, drug trafficking, and unlicensed taxis. Noise from tuk-tuks, parking violations, dim street lighting, insufficient CCTV, broken pavements, and cluttered communication cables also make the list of issues to tackle.

 

"These are not just isolated incidents. They shape the city's reputation and impact daily life. Successful solutions here could set a precedent for all of Bangkok," he emphasised.

 

Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich noted that the project aligns with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai's directives to ensure public safety and enhance tourist confidence. Collaboration is key, with the BMA joining forces with at least eight major agencies, including the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Department of Land Transport.

 

"The ultimate aim is to create a secure and liveable Bangkok, eliminating illegal activities and ensuring both residents and tourists can enjoy a worry-free environment," stated Theerarat.

 

The Sukhumvit Model seeks not only to revitalise this iconic area but also to serve as a template for future city-wide improvements.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-14

 

 

Standing in front of a Kratom sold here sign! Perfect!

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

Standing in front of a Kratom sold here sign! Perfect!

In front of Nana Plaza no less,

7 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

In front of Nana Plaza no less,

 

.........and right next to the street food vendors chocking soi 4.....555

 

I hope he observed the pedestriansattempting to cross Suk on green as the traffic dares them to cross.

An absolute joke, sorry but you have already lost a great number of tourists who have found a safe alternative

Soi 3 to Soi 39;is nowhere near 5 km, though it might seem it when stuck in traffic!

 

 

Not sure if any of this is real or it's simply a pipe dream, but any Improvement to public safety would be a huge step in the right direction for Thailand and Bangkok. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The Sukhumvit Model seeks not only to revitalise this iconic area but also to serve as a template for future city-wide improvements.

 

We see what they have done to the Sukhumvit area. Long gone are the small shops, eateries, bars, street vendors and the charm that made the city an interesting tourist spot.

 

It's now high rise hotels, condos, malls etc - in a word "gentrification".  RIP Bangkok 

6 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Soi 3 to Soi 39;is nowhere near 5 km, though it might seem it when stuck in traffic!

 

 

 

Few months ago now......soi 42 to soi 11......three and half hours......lights were down.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Sizzling Sukhumvit:

New Model Promises Safer Streets

 

broken pavements,

It's the most challenging stretch of pavement in Thailand. 

 

I'm going to miss the obstacle course when on foot. 

 

Out with the old. In with the new. 

 

Well, sometime this decade perhaps.

About to kill that area 

Just leave the <deleted> alone plenty more places to waste money on 

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

.........and right next to the street food vendors chocking soi 4.....555

 

I hope he observed the pedestriansattempting to cross Suk on green as the traffic dares them to cross.

And the "Taxi" Mafia, dozens of cars, vans and tuk-tuks permanently stationing in front of Novotel, Ibis and other Soi 4  hotels, clogging the traffic to pretty much one-lane all day.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

In a bold move, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has revealed its "Sukhumvit Model," targeting safety and quality of life along the bustling Sukhumvit Road.

Are they closing all the nefarious locations down ?

Luckily however the crack team didn't encounter any prostitutes. Or perhaps they didn't realise - they're very hard to spot in that area. I think I saw one last night near Soi 11 but I'm not sure how one would know.

56 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Few months ago now......soi 42 to soi 11......three and half hours......lights were down.

 

Amazing......why would you even bother to put a thumbs down on such an innocuous post?

Would love for them to do something about the noisy tuk tuk’s . I can’t hear my tv some nights as they speed down my Soi in Silom, noisily shifting gears at max rpm.

6 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

In front of Nana Plaza no less,

and looking for the perfect 'model' !

nah nah nah.. leave it as is .. or better as it was in the '90

1 hour ago, BKKBike09 said:

Luckily however the crack team didn't encounter any prostitutes. Or perhaps they didn't realise - they're very hard to spot in that area. I think I saw one last night near Soi 11 but I'm not sure how one would know.

I knew her mother ! 

2 hours ago, madmitch said:

Soi 3 to Soi 39;is nowhere near 5 km, though it might seem it when stuck in traffic!

 

 

You're right. it's less than 2.5km. Just checked it on Goggle Earth. Usual BS from the government house.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Noise from tuk-tuks,

 

I have lived for many years in the general area discussed in the OP.

 

For me, the most annoying aspect of Sukhumvit Road is not the noise from tuk tuks (which does indeed occur), but instead is the totally unnecessary and massively louder incessant engine noise from the many many more MOTORCYCLES traveling the road.

 

There's absolutely no reason the puny motorcycle engines on most typical consumer Thai motorcycles need to sound like Indianapolis 500 race car engines. But it's almost like Thais have some severe allergy to mufflers.

 

Just to note how much of a difference can be made... Recently, a lot of the Grab drivers who ply our side soi have been switching to the electric motorcycles, as have some of the regular car taxis... And it's amazing, one or the other of them comes up behind you as you're walking down the soi, and you hear NOTHING. They are virtually silent...

 

Just imagine how much more pleasant and hospitable Sukhumvit Road would be for inhabitants, tourists, sellers, etc if the incessant roar of fueled engines was replaced by that... Or at least, the Thai police began actually enforcing noise pollution laws and requiring working mufflers on motorcycles.

 

And no doubt failing to see the dregs of African society that are in this area in their hundreds, selling drugs, prostitution, pickpocketing etc, probably after a tip off that officials will be in the area.. 

"The ultimate aim is to create a secure and liveable Bangkok, eliminating illegal activities and ensuring both residents and tourists can enjoy a worry-free environment," stated Theerarat. 

 

Sounds like Singapore.

They never learn. Every time they try to "enhance safety" they deter more and more tourists. Like when they eliminated the food stalls and street bars around Nana station: it went from being a lively fun area relatively safe because there were many people around to a dim-lit no-go zone occupied only by ladyboys and drug dealers. If you want to fix the problems it's pretty easy: round up the Africans and send them home, round up the ladyboys and send them home, arrest taxi drivers who block traffic by double parking while waiting for customers, round up the beggars and pickpockets (including kids being employed) and send them home. All easily doable - if they actually wanted to get it done.

3 hours ago, NicoBKK said:

And the "Taxi" Mafia, dozens of cars, vans and tuk-tuks permanently stationing in front of Novotel, Ibis and other Soi 4  hotels, clogging the traffic to pretty much one-lane all day.

This really should be an arrestable offence. There is no reason to allow it. And these parasites are also the ones who will never turn on the meter and always try to scam/overcharge you. They're not waiting for customers - they're waiting for victims.

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

And it's amazing, one or the other of them comes up behind you as you're walking down the soi, and you hear NOTHING. They are virtually silent...

 

So how do you know to jump out of their way on the sidewalk?

 

 

Well, they have a brand name but no clear solutions. 

Motorcyclists2poor4car

This means someone will be out of a job soon if the BMA wants them off Sukhumvit.

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Amazing......why would you even bother to put a thumbs down on such an innocuous post?

It simply shows the mentality of some on here, thumps down serves no purpose.

I've spent many a day/ night wandering Sukhumvit from soi 3 to 33 in various states of sobriety and never felt the need for it to made to feel safer. Sure I've seen all sorts of things going on that never bothered me.....after all it is Bangkok! And that is the attraction for many tourists.

Do they want to sterilise it and turn it into another Singapore?