Shot down by junta, should Bangkok district councils be resurrected?

13 Sept 14:24 Key points summarised by AI

Bangkok's elected district councils, abolished after the 2014 military coup, face calls for resurrection from the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) and Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Supporters advocate for their return, emphasizing their crucial role in providing direct local representation and addressing community-level issues, filling a void left by the absence of village heads.
Opponents, including the Budget Bureau and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), argue against reinstatement, citing redundancy, potential conflicts of interest with budget allocation, and low voter turnout as reasons for their termination.
Local leaders and residents highlight the councilors' effectiveness in relaying grievances and securing faster responses for essential services like pest control and garbage collection, valuing their approachable local presence.
An expert suggests their necessity hinges on the Bangkok governor's team's openness, recommending reforms such as single-candidate voting and clearer, more tangible duties should the councils be restored.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.