No more overloaded or loose electrical wires, how is that going to happen?

If they clear that stretch of vendors, where will people buy Kamagra?

Thais seem impervious to noise.  OK, see how the rest of the world avoids Thailand.

Get the jet engine loud motorbikes off the roads.  All tuk tuks and motorbikes should have

decent mufflers.  Heavy fines for offenders.  Can't even carry on a conversation on 

Sukhomvit without some uber loud bike going by.

I used to love that stretch of road from soi 4 to soi 23. Then in 2013/14 They ruined the whole area. Thermeas that used to open till 6 am or even 7am started closing early at midnight or 1am; as did all the bar. The whole place from Nana to Cowboy was ruined. So I up-sticks and came to live in Pattaya. Where the pace of life suits me more; I can retire at 72 here without anyone bothering me.

But boy! I miss those glory days of Sukhumvit and dread how they are going to eff it up as they did to the Kao San Rd which used to be really funky and not family friendly at all. If only they could just LEAVE THINGS ALONE!

I was there for the glory years.

Whenever there is a popular area, some street life - you will always get officials/pen pushers thinking they know how they can make it boring. What they often do is rob the area of any life, and destroy it.

 

They tried to and nearly destroyed Khao San road.

 

Street food vendors, retail vendors give a bit of energy to that area at night in Asok/Nana, early morning hours. If anything they add to the safety. 

 

Is anything done about the pollution, traffic nightmare, economic problems around Bangkok, NOPE - local governors just hit street vendors.

 

The surge to make Bangkok boring and sterile never stops from successive leaderships - it's an easy target for them. 

3 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

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.

 

 

This is what successive governors do. They see an area that is popular and interfere. They  will not tackle hard issues, but these surface laden easy issues. Just pick on the poor street vendor and it's an easy win. 

 

They will destroy this area. The lights will go out. 

 

If you take away the vendors who provide some energy to the area with food, pop up beauty spots etc - then you ruin the energy that makes Bangkok such a great place. 

 

Look at Soi 11, planning laws has meant now for nearly 2 years you've had a company able to board up that whole stretch of lively night life with plans to build a hotel. Where is the action on that?

 

Where is the action on traffic and pollution? Nothing done about black busses emitting black smoke, or pollution from other vehicles. 

 

24 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

I used to love that stretch of road from soi 4 to soi 23. Then in 2013/14 They ruined the whole area. Thermeas that used to open till 6 am or even 7am started closing early at midnight or 1am; as did all the bar. The whole place from Nana to Cowboy was ruined. So I up-sticks and came to live in Pattaya. Where the pace of life suits me more; I can retire at 72 here without anyone bothering me.

But boy! I miss those glory days of Sukhumvit and dread how they are going to eff it up as they did to the Kao San Rd which used to be really funky and not family friendly at all. If only they could just LEAVE THINGS ALONE!

 

 

They won't leave things alone.  That's Thailand for you. Anything succesful they will come and ruin. 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

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

 

 

I spend a lot of time on Suk between NANA and asoke  To me there is nothing wrong with the sidewalk on the odd side however there is room to improve on the even side but with the present constructionin the area not a good move.

 

Where they could make life a lot better is Suk 11 It is a disaster zone,  The one side with o business is old  The side with the businesses is not wide enough with the foot traffic.

 

Suk 4 from Sukhumvit to Suk 16 alley should be one-way. You can then widen the sidewalks and reduce the confusion. This would make it better for people, as right now you are stuck walking on the street.

 

In all cases, yes, they need to get rid of the overhanging wires and then the poles.  

 

If you do that as well as limiting stalls it will make things easier.  At present there is an area that will soon no longer be selling pot that could be used by the noodle lady at the front of the Plaza.   Also, making it one way you might be able to move the stalls to one side of street

 

 

Start on the African amphetimine drug dealers , then the Indian fake watch seller, job done . 
rgds SS. 

19 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

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

 

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

 

"Broken pavements" the phrase is lost among other initiatives which seem like only banning or shutting down, and nothing creating, constructing or opening...

17 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

19 hours 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 ! 

 

Did her buffalo ever get better?

I can report that the BMA have leapt into action on this new initiative.

 

Yesterday I observed this high tech structure newly erected near the Landmark Hotel, with a notice saying something in Thai like "BMA Safety Promotion" or something like that. Clearly no expense has been spared.

 

I understand from sources at the BMA that each of these structures is a) earthquake proof (certification by the Wob Li Institute of China)  and b) very reasonably priced at THB 8.888 million each (NB: maintenance contract separate).

 

I did notice a rather strong odour of cat urine associated with the structure but again was assured by my sources that a) the rain would soon wash it off and b) that in any case this is also considered a traditional Thai street smell and that 'farang you no undersatand'.

 

So, all in all, well done BMA!

 

 

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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. 

The hotels that I used in Bangkok before the Chinese virus  closed and never opened back up again. Can anyone tell me of a decent 3 star hotel in the lower Sukhumvit area which is not overpriced and has a decent sized fridge? 

21 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

 

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 

Anyone know of a decent English food restaurant in lower Sukhumvit which does not rip you off in some way? ie 17% added taxes in the small print?

5 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

Anyone know of a decent English food restaurant in lower Sukhumvit which does not rip you off in some way? ie 17% added taxes in the small print?

There a nice place that serves English breakfast, etc., and other meals, to the right of the entrance into Trendy building.

17 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

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.

Yes especially the taxis outside the Ruamvitt Hotel.

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

There a nice place that serves English breakfast, etc., and other meals, to the right of the entrance into Trendy building.

Thanks Charlie, I'll keep that in mind next time I'm in Bangkok. I nearly always by pass Bangkok now as I can get a very comfortable hotel in Pattaya  for 650Bt per night, the same standard of hotel in central Bangkok would cost more than double that.

16 hours ago, emptypockets said:

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?

I certainly agree with you about safety in Bangkok, I have always felt safe there, just a pity about the other negative things.