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This investigation builds upon and extends prior lightning research in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) through the reconstruction of thunderstorm distribution, utilizing a novel lightning tracking algorithm. Five years (2016–2020) of lightning stroke data from the Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) were used to identify 52 608 thunderstorms. Optimized hotspot analyses, track densities, and analyses of thunderstorms with respect to winds, landcover, and seasons were performed. Our findings suggest that significant modification of thunderstorm distribution within the region was due to urban landcover impacts on the local environment. Thunderstorm intensity, as measured by stroke counts and track length, also appeared to be sensitive to the urban environment. The thunderstorm distribution also highlighted areas prone to hazards such as flash flooding. By visualizing thunderstorms grouped by winds, thunderstorm initiation hotspots and track density corridors were identified. These corridors of augmented thunderstorm production tended to occur during specific months given the seasonal monsoon wind regime occurring across the BMR. As urbanization within the BMR continues, geospatial assessment of thunderstorms is important to inform forecast meteorologists, urban planners, government officials, and others who play a critical role in developing strategies, policies and insfrastructure that could mitigate thunderstorm impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol for cities, GHGs are responsible for an estimated 75 per cent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. This represents a key opportunity to tackle climate change. With the year 2023 and, in particular, the month of July delivering record-breaking temperatures, this demonstrates a clear need to accelerate decarbonisation and, in this context, to reduce the carbon footprint of cities. Further, acting on urban development addresses a number of key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Many cities, however, are struggling to break away from a reliance on carbon and some are economically dependent on it. This paper seeks to investigate, through an energy justice lens, some first considerations of how to secure just and sustainable urban regeneration. It posits that energy justice, and its five core principles, is a useful analytical tool for considering the justice and development concerns related to the transition to a low-carbon world. The cities examined in brief in this comparative study are Bordeaux in France, Venice in Italy, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Bangkok in Thailand. The research posits that despite different trajectories, cities can play a leading role in ensuring justice and sustainability in our low-carbon world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to outdoor air pollutants, particularly respirable particulate matter (RPM), can cause adverse health outcomes. The cross-sectional study aimed to assess motorcycle taxi driver’s health risk from exposure to RPM. A total of 153 motorcycle taxi drivers were recruited in Bangkok and five adjacent provinces during May and June 2022. The standardized questionnaire for data collection contained exposure time (hour/day), frequency of exposure (days/years), duration of exposure (year), body weight (kg), and averaging time (days). The average RPM concentration from six provinces were assessed personal air sampling pumps and ranged from 0.006-0.031 mg/m3. Bangkok showed the highest average RPM concentration (0.031 mg/m3), followed by Pathumthani (0.028 mg/m3), Samut Prakan (0.009 mg/m3), Nakhon Pathom (0.008 mg/m3), Nonthaburi (0.007 mg/m3), and Samut Sakhon (0.006 mg/m3), respectively. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for a non-carcinogenic risk to human health caused by RPM exposure in each province indicated a negligible risk (HQ=0.005-0.028). HQ averages (HQ=0.013) from all provinces were also at an acceptable level (≤1). Not all motorcycle taxi drivers are safe from RPM exposure, although their exposure is within acceptable limits depending on their individual susceptibility. Therefore, this is the first report on quantifying exposure to RPM from personal air sampling and health risk assessment among motorcycle taxi drivers. These findings would be useful information for further preventing and controlling ambient air pollution including policies and strategies to mitigate the risks for motorcycle-taxi drivers and the other exposed populations.

The city of Bangkok is built on an elaborate network of waterways shaped by its historical settlement process, underscoring the profound bond between humans and the natural landscape. In light of Bangkok's rapid urban transformation and its status as one of Southeast Asia's most vulnerable coastal metropolises, this paper seeks to explore the intricacies of Bangkok's waterway landscape by examining how stakeholders address its value. This research draws insights from qualitative data collection involving government agencies, experts, practitioners, NGOs, and residents from three distinct waterway communities. The paper identifies distinct value categories within Bangkok's waterways, classified as diminishing, absent, and evolving values. These values reflect the complex landscape surrounding the waterways and their relationship with flood management and heritage preservation. The study underscores the limitations of the values expressed by government agencies and in policy documents while highlighting the potential contributions of other stakeholders in enhancing waterway management. This evidence emphasises the necessity of multi-stakeholder involvement and the application of values in decisions when developing urban resilient alternatives to the 'business-as-usual' model prevalent in Bangkok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The cat café has emerged as a popular and growing business in Thailand, allowing customers to have direct contact with cats, a species known to harbor certain zoonotic diseases. Given the previous reports of zoonotic parasites and fungal pathogens in the cat population in Thailand, there is a potential for these pathogens to be present in cat cafés. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of potentially zoonotic enteric parasites and dermatophytes in cat cafés in Bangkok and its vicinity. Out of 11 cat cafés, zoonotic enteric nematodes composed of hookworm and roundworm were identified in 2 cafés. Furthermore, fungal cultures of individual cat hair samples indicated that 16.2% (32/198) of the cats were positive for dermatophytosis. In summary, zoonotic parasites and dermatophytes were detected in cat cafés in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces. The evidence based on the prevalence and risk factors associated with these pathogens will heighten awareness among stakeholders and customers involved in this business. Cat cafés have gained significant popularity worldwide, offering a unique interface between humans and cats. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes from cats living in cat cafés situated in the Bangkok metropolitan area in 2017–2018. Cat fecal samples were subjected to microscopic examination employing centrifugal flotation and centrifugal sedimentation techniques. The hair samples from every cat were cultured on a dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud dextrose agar and subsequently confirmed by visualization of the typical colony and macroconidia morphology. Findings from 11 cat cafés indicated an 18.2% (2/11) prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, including Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma spp., Physaloptera spp., and Eucoleus aerophilus. Dermatophytes were prevalent in 16.2% (32/198) of the total number of cats tested, with Microsporum canis being the sole species identified. Notably, the presence of dermatophyte was significantly correlated with the presence of skin lesions and the cats' origin. In summary, the findings of this study have provided evidence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes in cats residing in cat cafés. Therefore, it is imperative to heighten awareness and encourage preventive measures among cat café owners and customers to halt the dissemination of these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangkok is a tropical metropolis subject to many human and nonhuman transformations. While Covid‐19 raged, the city's mix of precarity and oppression gave rise to a youth protest movement that opposed the junta government and sought to intervene in Thai politics‐as‐usual. At the same time, a rewilding experiment aimed at undoing environmental damage quietly was unfolding in Benjakitti Urban Forest Park. We draw on science and technology studies (STS), anthropology and urban theory to elicit the events of both park and protests as ongoing experiments in rewilding Bangkok on more‐than‐human terrain. Both involve overlapping critical zones, where encounters between many beings and practices of worlding shape an uncommons and create problems of coexistence. Such problems call for cosmoecological diplomacy, understood as the art of giving collective shape to a more‐than‐human cosmos yet to arrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to examine the co-design process of a research project which was implemented to support an initiative led by low-income older people in Klong Toey, Bangkok. The primary objective was to co-produce a design toolkit that can guide the development of live–work housing for low-income older people in Klong Toey. A three-day co-design workshop was held with local stakeholders to develop design alternatives for the prevailing live–work activities identified as a part of the field study. Within the framework of co-design methodology, the researchers engaged with the users as facilitators and translators to produce design options that informed the toolkit. The toolkit was developed under the overarching AgeingHood project, inspired by the unique housing and livelihood needs of the older people of Klong Toey, who often run small businesses from their own homes. It was conceived out of the understanding that ageing, housing and livelihood are interrelated aspects of the lives of low-income older people in this area of Bangkok. In addition to the toolkit, the project also led to impacts such as supporting residents' live–work needs assessment and positive engagement and collaborative working with various local stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This research focused on assessing the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility in Salmonella strains isolated from Thai canal water. Methods and results From 2016 to 2020, 333 water samples were collected from six canals across Bangkok, Thailand. Salmonella spp. was isolated, PMQR genes were detected through polymerase chain reactions, and the antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the disk diffusion method. The results indicated a 92.2% prevalence of Salmonella spp. in canal water, being serogroups B and C the most frequently detected. Overall, 35.3% of isolates harbored PMQR genes, being qnrS the most prevalent gene (97.2%, n  = 137/141). Other PMQR genes, including qnrB, qnrD, oqxAB , and aac(6′)-Ib-cr , were detected. Notably, six isolates harbored multiple PMQR genes. Furthermore, 9.3% and 3.8% of the overall isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), respectively. PMQR-positive isolates showed higher rates of non-susceptibility to both NAL (48.2%, n  = 68/141) and CIP (92.2%, n  = 130/141) compared to PMQR-negative isolates (NAL: 8.9%, n  = 23/258; CIP: 11.2%, n  = 30/258). Conclusions The high prevalence of Salmonella spp. significant PMQR-positive, and reduced susceptibility isolates in canal water is of public health concern in Bangkok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The urban heritage regeneration strategy through walkability is widely accepted. However, in the context of a developing country, the tools to measure walkability, which are crucial for urban planning and development, still need to be improved. This article investigates ways to revitalise a run-down historic riverside area in Bangkok. It develops two indices, the Thai GoodWalk Index (TGWI) and the Thai Walkability Index (TWI). A hybrid of both indices is based on geospatial techniques and technology to optimise problem analysis processes, create problem-solving options, enhance spatial site selection decision capabilities, and assist urban planners in carrying out spatial scenario planning processes. It demonstrates how the GoodWalk Index has been employed to plan and prioritise urban development projects. This is exemplified by the Master Plan for the Regeneration of Kadeejeen-Klongsan, a historic riverside neighbourhood in Bangkok with limitations in density, functional mix of spaces, and access networks, especially in riverfront areas. The TGWI and TWI can be applied to the regeneration of other historic districts throughout Thailand.

Bangkok is a key city in the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative in Southeast Asia. However, the economy, agriculture, and ecological environment of Bangkok is now facing significant risks due to frequent drought disasters in recent years, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study is based on the theory of natural disaster risk assessment and evaluates the risk of drought disasters by analyzing the factors causing disasters and the vulnerability of affected areas. We examine the spatial distribution of drought hazard risk, vulnerability, and overall risk in the Bangkok node area from 2000 to 2020, employing univariate linear regression analysis and the Mann-Kendall test to assess changing trends and spatial distribution characteristics. The results showed 41.64% of the land in the study area had a moderate or higher risk of drought disasters, with the highest risk areas located in the northwest of Nakhon Pathom and the central part of Pathum Thani. The risk levels in the region are determined by a combination of vulnerability and hazard factors. Furthermore, the risk, vulnerability, and hazard levels in Bangkok exhibit a linear upward trend. The central urban area of Bangkok has the fastest linear increase in vulnerability and risk and the risk level is increasing most rapidly in northern areas, which differs from the other two indicators. The results of the M-K test indicate that vulnerability in Bangkok's central built-up area is not significant but in the surrounding areas there is a strong upward trend. Notably, there are significant areas of decline in the northwest and southeast for Bangkok's vulnerability. Hazard and risk shows an insignificant rising trend in the east and a decreasing trend in the west. Central Bangkok's drought risk is increasing, highlighting a noticeable spatial distribution difference between the linear trend and the M–K test results. The spatial distribution of risk is influenced jointly by the drought disaster hazard and vulnerability in Bangkok, with vulnerability predominantly determining risk distribution. Finally, The significant increase in drought vulnerability and risk in urban built-up areas warrants close attention for future drought disaster risk management. These areas are currently unsuitable for construction, and efforts should be directed toward reducing their vulnerability to mitigate the risk of drought disasters. The use of fine-scale spatial data for analysis can provide a more detailed understanding of spatial characteristics, accurately reflect a region's water resource management capacity, enhance the rationality of risk assessment, and serve as a valuable reference for research on disaster risk management and risk distribution in node cities.

Abstract In this cross-sectional random survey among Thai adults living in Bangkok, we aimed to identify the prevalence of hearing problems and examine their relationship with individual factors. We administered a self-report questionnaire and performed pure-tone air conduction threshold audiometry. A total of 2463 participants (1728 female individuals) aged 15–96 years were included. The hearing loss prevalence was 53.02% and increased with age. The prevalence of a moderate or greater degree of hearing impairment was 2.8%. Participants aged 65 years and over had 8.56 and 6.79 times greater hearing loss and hearing impairment than younger participants, respectively. Male participants were twice as likely to have hearing loss and hearing impairment as female individuals. Participants with higher education levels showed less likelihood of having hearing loss and hearing impairment than those with no or a primary school education. Participants who ever worked under conditions with loud noise for > 8 h per day had 1.56 times greater hearing loss than those without such exposure. An inconsistent correlation was found between hearing loss, hearing impairment and noncommunicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity). Although most participants had mild hearing loss, appropriate care and monitoring are necessary to prevent further loss in such individuals. The questionnaire-based survey found only people with hearing problems that affect daily communication.

The urban heritage regeneration strategy through walkability is widely accepted. However, in the context of a developing country, the tools to measure walkability, which are crucial for urban planning and development, still need to be improved. This article investigates ways to revitalise a run-down historic riverside area in Bangkok. It develops two indices, the Thai GoodWalk Index (TGWI) and the Thai Walkability Index (TWI). A hybrid of both indices is based on geospatial techniques and technology to optimise problem analysis processes, create problem-solving options, enhance spatial site selection decision capabilities, and assist urban planners in carrying out spatial scenario planning processes. It demonstrates how the GoodWalk Index has been employed to plan and prioritise urban development projects. This is exemplified by the Master Plan for the Regeneration of Kadeejeen-Klongsan, a historic riverside neighbourhood in Bangkok with limitations in density, functional mix of spaces, and access networks, especially in riverfront areas. The TGWI and TWI can be applied to the regeneration of other historic districts throughout Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the motivations of food truck owners and prospective owners in Bangkok during a difficult period both locally and globally. Plans for Bangkok’s future development were opaque. Inflation was rising rapidly, particularly food and energy costs critical to the industry. COVID-19 continued throughout the research. The aim was to stress-test motivation and commitment within the industry. The study asked participants what motivates them through qualitative and quantitative techniques, the former subject to thematic content analysis. Further, there was discussion with stakeholders and observation. Stakeholders particularly included training providers in the industry. Vendors requested more help so they could sustain themselves and prosper in the industry. Food trucks were of interest because of the relatively casual labour that found a place during COVID-19, although the number of trucks had declined before the pandemic. The study found that food truckers are still highly motivated and eager to help shape Bangkok’s food truck industry going forward and, thereby, the urban landscape and economy of the city. Demotivating factors suggested by the participants themselves focused on murky city planning, which became a major element in the study. Clearly, a transparent path forward must be negotiated between relevant stakeholders in determining the future development of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangkok is a key city in the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative in Southeast Asia. However, the economy, agriculture, and ecological environment of Bangkok is now facing significant risks due to frequent drought disasters in recent years, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study is based on the theory of natural disaster risk assessment and evaluates the risk of drought disasters by analyzing the factors causing disasters and the vulnerability of affected areas. We examine the spatial distribution of drought hazard risk, vulnerability, and overall risk in the Bangkok node area from 2000 to 2020, employing univariate linear regression analysis and the Mann-Kendall test to assess changing trends and spatial distribution characteristics. The results showed 41.64% of the land in the study area had a moderate or higher risk of drought disasters, with the highest risk areas located in the northwest of Nakhon Pathom and the central part of Pathum Thani. The risk levels in the region are determined by a combination of vulnerability and hazard factors. Furthermore, the risk, vulnerability, and hazard levels in Bangkok exhibit a linear upward trend. The central urban area of Bangkok has the fastest linear increase in vulnerability and risk and the risk level is increasing most rapidly in northern areas, which differs from the other two indicators. The results of the M-K test indicate that vulnerability in Bangkok's central built-up area is not significant but in the surrounding areas there is a strong upward trend. Notably, there are significant areas of decline in the northwest and southeast for Bangkok's vulnerability. Hazard and risk shows an insignificant rising trend in the east and a decreasing trend in the west. Central Bangkok's drought risk is increasing, highlighting a noticeable spatial distribution difference between the linear trend and the M-K test results. The spatial distribution of risk is influenced jointly by the drought disaster hazard and vulnerability in Bangkok, with vulnerability predominantly determining risk distribution. Finally, The significant increase in drought vulnerability and risk in urban built-up areas warrants close attention for future drought disaster risk management. These areas are currently unsuitable for construction, and efforts should be directed toward reducing their vulnerability to mitigate the risk of drought disasters. The use of fine-scale spatial data for analysis can provide a more detailed understanding of spatial characteristics, accurately reflect a region's water resource management capacity, enhance the rationality of risk assessment, and serve as a valuable reference for research on disaster risk management and risk distribution in node cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gated residential communities are commonly portrayed as a negative phenomenon, leading to social segregation. However, given gated condominiums are commonly located in older residential areas of cities, it has been argued they have greater potential for social-tenurial mix. Bangkok is now seeing a proliferation of condominium building by transit in such areas. The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which this development results in social segregation. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with gated and non-gated residents in a case study area and the theories of Schutz and the lifeworld were drawn upon to understand the data collected. Findings reveal limited social interactions between the populations and significant physical, social, and symbolic divisions, accentuated by the transient character of the condominiums. Thus, condominiums built in residential areas do not appear to encourage social-tenurial mix. Exploring the subjects' lifeworlds has also revealed how subjective meanings are constructed and embedded within a particular culture, which is critical to understanding social segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite progress in policy and practice, there has been a lack of focus on the social implications of circular transitions in developing cities in Asia. Specifically, how the informal sector which often forms the backbone of recycling efforts will be integrated. Influencing behaviour at the consumer level towards more sustainable practices is also under-explored. Responding to this gap, this paper presents data from informal waste workers, households and junkshops in two Bangkok districts which we analyse from material, social and behavioural perspectives, drawing out implications for inclusive circularity. At the household level, we find a critical problem of organic waste as the most significant waste type thrown away as trash. Behavioural analysis uncovers a value-action gap between attitudes and practices around waste separation, while economic motivation and collective action emerge as important drivers of behaviour. We provide several avenues for behaviour change but also draw attention to the limits of individual action and of market-based systems for recycling, arguing that policymakers have a leading role to play in piloting circular waste structures, regulating industry and creating an enabling environment for behaviour change. Greater recognition and support for the informal sector is also essential for inclusive circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we established an air quality health index (AQHI) based on the associations between multiple air pollutants and respiratory and cardiovascular outpatient department (OPD) visits to communicate the health risks from air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand. The associations between various air pollutants, namely, suspended particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 µm and 10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10, respectively), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) and the number of OPD visits for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Bangkok from 2016 to 2019 were assessed using generalised additive models with a Poisson link function. Significant associations were established between most cases of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and these pollutants with a lag time of 0–7 days. The total excess risk was calculated to construct the AQHI, which was then adjusted to an arbitrary scale and banded into four groups based on the calculated score, where 1–3, 4–6, 7–10, and 10+ represented low risk, moderate risk, high risk, and very high risk, respectively. We found that the AQHI captured both high and very high risk levels during the day for most stations. The constructed AQHI also recorded a greater number of high and very high risk days than the currently used AQI but fewer than the WHO-based AQI. Our findings suggest that the AQHI can capture the combined effects of multiple air pollutants, which makes it an effective tool for communicating air pollution-related health risks.

Ascoschoengastia indica is one of the dominant chigger species in Southeast Asia and a potential carrier of scrub typhus, due in part to its cosmopolitan nature. This study explored the possible biological significance of the observed dimorphism in the shape of its scutum sensilla. Sensilla are specialized structures that are generally adapted to perform specific functions related to sensory capabilities, so their shape and sizes are expected to vary between taxa. We describe morphological variation of the sensilla of A. indica in Thailand. The sensilla had either a round or an ovoid, club-shaped form, which was not dependent on the particularly locality or host. Ignoring the precise function of the sensilla and their morphological variation, our study attempted to answer the following single question: Do the distinct forms of the sensilla indicate possible heterogeneity of the A. indica species? The two forms, named S1 and S2, were compared by genetic and morphometric techniques. The genetic analysis was based on the COI sequences, while the morphometric comparison used the scutum, an organ shown to be of taxonomic value for chigger mites. Neither morphometric nor genetic data revealed any evidence of a speciation process underlying the morphological variation in sensillum types.

Thailand has established a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Reaching this goal will require coordination and collaboration between stakeholders spanning sectors and scales, including energy system decision makers, land managers, and city planners. Robust decarbonization scenarios incorporating current plans and targets, additional measures needed, and trade-offs between strategies can help stakeholders make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Through iterative engagement with decision makers at the city and national levels, we develop and analyze carbon neutral scenarios for Thailand that incorporate Bangkok's role using a global integrated assessment model. We find that Thailand can reach carbon neutrality through power sector decarbonization, energy efficiency improvements, widespread electrification, and advanced technologies including carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. Negative emissions technologies will also be needed to offset Thailand and Bangkok's hardest-to-abate CO2 emissions. Bangkok, as a major population and economic center, contributes significantly to Thailand's energy demand and emissions and can therefore play an important role in climate change mitigation. Accordingly, our results underscore the importance of subnational climate action in meeting Thailand's carbon neutral goal. Our analysis also indicates that without sustained land-based carbon sequestration, much more mitigation effort will be needed in Thailand's energy sector, including at the subnational scale, to reach carbon neutrality. These insights can help stakeholders identify priorities, consider tradeoffs, and make decisions that will impact Bangkok and Thailand's long-term climate change mitigation potential. This analysis demonstrates how stakeholder engagement in integrated assessment modeling can facilitate and inform multilevel climate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates digital literacy components for youths in Bangkok. The first phase used a qualitative method. The key informants were eight experts in information and communication technology (ICT), human resource (HR), and education. The second phase was to develop the measurement of digital literacy components using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach with a sample consisting of 1,362 youths in Bangkok. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire with 52 questions. The results revealed that digital literacy criteria for youths in Bangkok consisted of four factors containing 13 indicators. The first factor and its related access components was three subcomponents, which are: i) use of tools and devices; ii) data collection in the cloud; and iii) internet connection. The second factor was understanding components consisting of evaluation, ethics, and legal literacy. The third factor was use of components consisting of safeguarding, search, sharing, and innovation. The fourth factor was creating components consisting of creating weblogs/applications, presenting on website/application, and safeguarding. CFA was employed to test the construct validity of the research latent variables that revealed the harmony correlation of empirical data contained in this research model. These results were employed to develop a digital literacy for youth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangkok, Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphytic subaerial algae represent an assemblage of micro-organisms widely distributed in terrestrial environments, including urban environments. Urban habitats present many challenges for the survival of photosynthetic micro-organisms, yet many species of subaerial microalgae have been reported from these environments, demonstrating a high tolerance to the harsh conditions of urban environments. In this study, the epiphytic subaerial communities of five parks in the urban area of Bangkok were studied using a metabarcoding approach (sequencing of the 23S rDNA marker), with the goal of unraveling their diversity and assessing potential bioindicators with levels of air pollution. Diversity indexes were determined for the algal taxa detected, which were separated into groups corresponding to different collection sites by cluster analysis. Relationships between taxa and air pollutants were analyzed by PCA and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). The results showed a high diversity of epiphytic subaerial algae. We recorded 101 taxa belonging to the Cyanophyta (70 taxa), Chlorophyta (21 taxa), Charophyta (5 taxa), Bacillariophyta (3 taxa), and Eustigmatophyta (2 taxa). The most abundant taxon was Chroococcidiopsis sp. 1, for which up to 13,254 sequences/cm2 were recorded. The Shannon–Weaver index ranged between 1.37 and 2.51, the Margalef index between 3.84 and 4.75, and the Pielou index between 0.30 and 0.54. The similarity index was between 8.00% and 64.82%, according to the cluster analysis results for the three groups. The PCA indicated that all air pollutants affected the diversity and abundance of epiphytic subaerial algae. Cyanothece sp. 2 was negatively related to O3 and positively related to NO2 and CO and is suggested as a potential bioindicator of air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, grapples with several urban challenges, including traffic accidents, congestion, and underdeveloped sidewalks. These issues stem from the escalating use of private cars and motorcycles driven by rapid urbanization, accompanying economic growth, and the unique street geometry of the city. Furthermore, despite the development of railroads, issues persist with the poor walking environment for pedestrian access to stations, posing a challenge to the promotion of safe and environmentally friendly public transportation. This study evaluated streets' spatial performance, focusing on the performance of soi, the intricate network of narrow urban pathways in Bangkok. Leveraging an AI model capturing pedestrian value, this study subsequently assessed accessibility from typical residential areas to public transportation stations. The findings shed light on the challenges faced by sois in Bangkok. Based on the findings, practical implications were discussed and provided to inform urban designers, with the aim of promoting public transportation usage and encouraging a more sustainable urban form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The often-discussed issue of parental escorting of children to school and its potential disruption of traffic flow has been extensively examined in the literature. Still, the specific effects of traffic congestion remain understudied. To fill this gap, this study addresses the impacts of school trips on traffic congestion. An agent-based model is applied to simulate various scenarios and assess their impact. Our findings indicate that the traffic speed without school trips is higher speed during peak hours by around 8% and average travel time in the city is reduced significantly. We examine countermeasures: Firstly, flexible working hours can lead to a morning traffic speed improvement of approximately 1.9%. Secondly, staggered school schedules can result in a 6.9% increase in traffic speed at 7 a.m. Optimizing school loading spaces can also enhance road capacity, mitigating road lane blockages during drop-off and pick-up periods. This research sheds light on the impact of parent-escorting travel existence and offers potential solutions to alleviate traffic congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw vegetables and herbs are exposure sources of foodborne pathogens. This study examined the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in five types of fresh vegetables and herbs: spearmint (Mentha spicata), leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Produce samples (n = 300) were acquired from local open markets and supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand. Each produce sample was preenriched in buffered peptone water and then enriched in E. coli broth. A loopful of the second enrichment was transferred onto selective media for subsequent confirmation and biochemical tests. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test was employed to assess E. coli susceptibility to selected antibiotics (twelve antibiotics of seven classes). The latex agglutination test was performed to serotype the isolates for O157 and H7 antigens. A commercial test kit was used to determine the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). For all samples, the prevalence of E. coli was found to be 32.0% (96/300), whereby produce from supermarkets had a higher prevalence than those from local markets at 40.7% (61/150) and 23.3% (35/150), respectively. Among different types of produce, leaf lettuce had the highest E. coli prevalence at 36.7% (22/60), followed by cucumber and spearmint, coriander, and Chinese cabbage, at 35.0% (21/60), 35.0% (21/60), 35.0% (21/60), and 18.3% (11/60), respectively. Of the positive isolates, 27.1% (26/96) showed multidrug resistance. All isolates (100%) showed resistance to penicillin but varying resistant characteristics for tetracycline, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, with resistance rates of 31.3% (30/96), 31.3% (30/96), and 31.3% (30/96), respectively. Two of the 96 isolates (1.1%) were positive for the O157 antigen but negative for the H7 antigen. No STEC was observed. This study established baseline information regarding the prevalence of E. coli and its antimicrobial resistance profile in produce in Bangkok, Thailand.

Cat cafés have gained significant popularity worldwide, offering a unique interface between humans and cats. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes from cats living in cat cafés situated in the Bangkok metropolitan area in 2017–2018. Cat fecal samples were subjected to microscopic examination employing centrifugal flotation and centrifugal sedimentation techniques. The hair samples from every cat were cultured on a dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud dextrose agar and subsequently confirmed by visualization of the typical colony and macroconidia morphology. Findings from 11 cat cafés indicated an 18.2% (2/11) prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, including Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma spp., Physaloptera spp., and Eucoleus aerophilus. Dermatophytes were prevalent in 16.2% (32/198) of the total number of cats tested, with Microsporum canis being the sole species identified. Notably, the presence of dermatophyte was significantly correlated with the presence of skin lesions and the cats’ origin. In summary, the findings of this study have provided evidence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes in cats residing in cat cafés. Therefore, it is imperative to heighten awareness and encourage preventive measures among cat café owners and customers to halt the dissemination of these pathogens.

Thailand has established a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Reaching this goal will require coordination and collaboration between stakeholders spanning sectors and scales, including energy system decision makers, land managers, and city planners. Robust decarbonization scenarios incorporating current plans and targets, additional measures needed, and trade-offs between strategies can help stakeholders make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Through iterative engagement with decision makers at the city and national levels, we develop and analyze carbon neutral scenarios for Thailand that incorporate Bangkok’s role using a global integrated assessment model. We find that Thailand can reach carbon neutrality through power sector decarbonization, energy efficiency improvements, widespread electrification, and advanced technologies including carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. Negative emissions technologies will also be needed to offset Thailand and Bangkok’s hardest-to-abate CO2 emissions. Bangkok, as a major population and economic center, contributes significantly to Thailand’s energy demand and emissions and can therefore play an important role in climate change mitigation. Accordingly, our results underscore the importance of subnational climate action in meeting Thailand’s carbon neutral goal. Our analysis also indicates that without sustained land-based carbon sequestration, much more mitigation effort will be needed in Thailand’s energy sector, including at the subnational scale, to reach carbon neutrality. These insights can help stakeholders identify priorities, consider tradeoffs, and make decisions that will impact Bangkok and Thailand’s long-term climate change mitigation potential. This analysis demonstrates how stakeholder engagement in integrated assessment modeling can facilitate and inform multilevel climate governance.

This research assesses the urban heat island (UHI) vulnerability of Thailand's Bangkok metropolis using a sustainability-focused assessment framework which encompasses three vulnerability components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. In the assessment, the UHI vulnerability indicators are used to determine the extent and magnitude of UHI vulnerability. In addition, the UHI vulnerability indicators are aligned with the three pillars of sustainability: social equity, economic viability, and environmental protection. The results show that, under the exposure component, the indicators related to land surface temperature and impervious surface area have high to very high UHI exposure indicator scores. Under the sensitivity component, the indicators related to built environment, green spaces, and water bodies exhibit high to very high UHI sensitivity indicator scores. Under the adaptive capacity component, the indicators associated with government policy and action, multi-agency collaboration, and access to climate control appliances require corrective action. The metropolis- and administrative district-level UHI vulnerability indexes identify the extent and magnitude of UHI vulnerability of different urban areas, with high exposure and high sensitivity indexes and low adaptive capacity indexes contributing to high UHI vulnerability. Essentially, the findings enable urban planners and policymakers to formulate effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of UHI and enhance the city's resilience.

The ongoing global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, known as COVID-19, has disrupted public health, businesses, and economies worldwide due to its widespread transmission. While previous research has suggested a possible link between environmental factors and increased COVID-19 cases, the evidence regarding this connection remains inconclusive. The purpose of this research is to determine whether or not there is a connection between the presence of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and meteorological conditions and COVID-19 infection rates in Bangkok, Thailand. The study employs a statistical method called the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) to find a positive and non-linear association between relative humidity (RH), absolute humidity (AH), and rainfall (R) and the number of verified COVID-19 cases. The impacts of the seasons (especially summer) and rainfall on the trajectory of COVID-19 cases were also highlighted, with an adjusted R-square of 0.852 and a deviance explained of 85.60%, both of which were statistically significant (p

In recent decades, Bangkok has experienced substantial investments in its urban railway network, resulting in a profound transformation of the city's landscape. This study examines the relationship between railway development and property value uplift, particularly focusing on network centrality, which is closely linked to urban structure. Our findings are based on two primary analyses: network centrality and spatial hedonic models. The network centrality analysis reveals that closeness centrality underscores the city's prevailing monocentric structure, while the betweenness centrality measure envisions the potential emergence of urban subcenters. In our hedonic analysis of condominiums near railway stations, we formulated various regression models with different specifications, incorporating spatial effects and network centrality. With Bangkok's predominant monocentric structure in mind, we found that the spatial regression model, including a spatial error specification and closeness centrality, outperforms the others. This suggests that the impact of railways on property values extends beyond station proximity and encompasses network centrality, intricately linked with the city's urban structure. We applied our developed model to estimate the expected increase in property values at major interchange stations with high network centralities. These numerical values indicate a considerable potential for their evolution into urban subcenters. These insights offer valuable policy recommendations for effectively harnessing transit-related premiums and shaping the future development of both the railway system and the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Asian megacities undergoing rapid urbanization such as Bangkok, heavy rainfall exacerbates traffic congestion owing to inadequate drainage systems. This study statistically analyzed the extent to which rainfall affects urban traffic speed and how this impact varies depending on regional environmental factors and traffic demand trends, utilizing probe vehicles and rainfall data from 2018 to 2020 in Bangkok. The results clearly indicate that both the intensity of rainfall during driving and previous cumulative rainfall significantly reduce traffic speed. This impact is particularly pronounced during morning and evening rush hours, and in areas with a high proportion of narrow roads or in low-lying areas. On the other hand, areas with rich urban green space, which naturally absorb and retain water, tend to mitigate the speed reduction due to rainfall. This study highlights the fact that the impact of rainfall on traffic varies with time and location, suggesting that the exacerbation of rain-induced congestion can be more effectively mitigated by coordinated improvements in drainage facilities, traffic management and land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field report sheds light on the Foundation of Child Development, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to serving children and communities in a highdensity neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand. The analysis primarily examines the Foundation's strategic use of murals to engage children, parents, community members, and other stakeholders, particularly in Duang Khae alley and during the annual Rong Mueang Rueang Yim Festival. Creation of these murals contributed to vibrant play spaces and child-centric activities. However, there remains a need to establish well-shaded activity zones on the streets through proactive international collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to develop tourist attractions, especially cultural tourism attractions in the community area around Sawaswareesrimaram Temple, Dusit district, Bangkok. The objective is to develop spatial potential by applying geographic information systems for mapping local communities in location determination, planning, and spatial development. The methodology was obtained from field surveys by recording the coordinates of cultural tourist attractions with Global Positioning System (GPS) and using geographic information systems for mapping. It also adopts the principle of analyzing the density of attractions with Kernel Density. The results reveal that there were 4 types of cultural attractions in Dusit District: Institution, Palace and Museum, Religious places, and Restaurant – Street food. The distribution pattern of most cultural attractions was in the south-western area of the study area, with the density of cultural attractions greater than 1 km2 . Cultural attractions in the form of Restaurant and Street food were found to have a very high density in the Sri Yan area, showing a level greater than 1 km2 along Sam Sen road and Nakhon Chai Si road. As for Thewet district, there was a density level of 0.2-0.6 km2, which were all distributions of street food, dense at the intersection of roads. In summary, the mapping can provide local people with a tool for planning cultural sites, to enhance their livelihoods, love and cherish their homeland, and increase their income, leading to future tourism developments.

Abstract Background The healthcare services for non-communicable diseases (NCD) are commonly affected by public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, all healthcare facilities in Bangkok had been overwhelmed by the extreme caseload of COVID-19. Health service resiliency is crucial for the continued service of healthcare facilities post pandemic. This study aims to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on NCD service disruption and addressed the resilience of healthcare services at the operational level. Methods Healthcare facility-based surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted among representatives of the facilities in Bangkok from April 2021 to July 2021. The web-based, self-administered questionnaire, was sent to directors or authorities of all healthcare facilities in Bangkok Thailand (n = 169). Two healthcare facilities from three levels of health services were purposively selected. The directors or medical doctors and nurses who are in charge of the NCD service, and working at the six selected health facilities, were invited to participate in the in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from the in-depth interviews. Results The impact of COVID-19 on NCD service disruption in the second wave (2021) was more severe than in the first wave (2020). The main reasons for NCD service disruptions are insufficient staff, and the closure of some services offered by the healthcare facilities. Surprisingly, both the budget and medical supply for healthcare facilities in Bangkok are less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study revealed resilience capability i.e. absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capabilityamong the healthcare facilities that provide a continuum of care by increasing availability and accessibility to healthcare services for chronic illness as DM. The service disruption in Bangkok may alter from other provinces because of variations in COVID-19 incidence and health services contexts. Conclusion During the public health crisis, using affordable and common digital technologies to ensure DM patients can access a continuum of care and providing alternative services such as mobile medical laboratories, medication delivery, and medical refill at drug stores can increase consistent monitoring of glycemic levels and use of prescribed medication.

ABSTRACTBangkok is located in a low land area, and floods frequently occur from rainfall, river discharge, and tides. High-accuracy rainfall data are needed to achieve high-accuracy flood predictions from hydrological models. The main objective of this study is to establish a method that improves the accuracy of precipitation estimates by merging rainfall from three sources: an infrared channel from the Himawari-8 satellite, rain gauges, and ground-based radar observations. This study applied cloud classification and bias correction using rain gauges to discriminate these errors. The bias factors were interpolated using the ordinary kriging (OK) method to fill in the areas of estimated rainfall where no rain gauge was available. The results show that bias correction improved the accuracy of radar and Himawari-8 rainfall estimates before their combination. The merged algorithm was then adopted to produce hourly merged rainfall products (GSR). Compared to the initial estimated product, the GSR is significantly more accurate. The merging algorithm increases the spatial resolution and quality of rainfall estimates and is simple to use. Furthermore, these findings not only reveal the potential and limitations of the merged algorithm but also provide useful information for future retrieval algorithm enhancement.

In Bangkok, old “dense communities” (chumchon ae-at) remain which are often regarded as slums, as they impoverished and became irregular over time. Some of them existed even before Bangkok became the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. In Fort Mahakan dense community—or Pom Mahakan, ป้อมหากาฬ—vernacular architecture has evolved, and certain traditions persist over time. This rich past and the continuity of settlement constituted, for its residents and its academic defenders, an undeniable folk heritage that they opposed the threat of eviction by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Pom Mahakan community was finally destroyed in 2018. A park replaced it, forming a “showcase” landscape to better highlight the architectural gems of the historic centre under renovation to tourists. This article aims to revisit the notion of heritage, which is closely linked to the legitimisation of a right to and over the city, when applied to the capital’s ancient dense communities. Through the case of Pom Mahakan, we will see how heritage gets physically embedded in space and mobilizes a diversity of stakeholders, becoming the instrument of a struggle to keep—and make—a trace in the metropolis.

Abstract Particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) pollution has gained more concern, as can be seen from the World Health Organization (WHO) revised air quality guideline (AQG) value. To compare with the 24-h AQG value, the 24-h mean (daily average) of hourly monitoring data has been widely used, but the nature of data in hourly variation has been lost. The 24-h moving average can be an alternative approach to preserving hourly data behavior, while various positions of the hour (leftmost, center, or rightmost hour) can be used to store the moving average. In this study, similarity testing by cross-correlation and Euclidean distance was performed to present a suitable 24-h moving average time series for hourly data, and then presented proportions of PM2.5 concentrations within each interim target and AQG ranges. The PM2.5 time series of the leftmost and rightmost 24-h moving average revealed lags of − 13 to − 10 h and 10 to 13 h for the observed hourly data, respectively. The lags of the center 24-h moving average time series were of − 2 to 1 h, which showed more similar events to the hourly PM2.5 fluctuation than the leftmost and rightmost time series. The center 24-h moving average concentrations measured in Bangkok were categorized into interim target and AQG ranges. The results revealed that the proportion of concentrations lower than AQG during nighttime and daytime was approximately 40 and 28%, respectively. However, the results given from the leftmost and rightmost time series showed time shifts and differences in diurnal variation caused by the position used to store the average value. To keep hourly PM2.5 variation that can be compared with the 24-h WHO guidelines, this should be performed with careful and precautionary consideration of misinterpretation over a time scale, especially for implementing countermeasures and policies.

Historical buildings are recognized as the valuable cultural heritage of a nation. They may suffer material deterioration unavoidably because of exposure to air pollution. We used geographic information systems with dose-response functions (DRFs) to estimate the corrosion of copper and Portland limestone, and their risk of corrosion with regard to historical buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. The first step was to find a suitable spatial interpolation method considering the air pollution and meteorological measurement data for 2010-2019 from 26 monitoring stations in Bangkok and its neighborhoods. Applying multiple performance measures, the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method was found to be the most suitable. Predictions of the pollutant concentration in the spatial atmosphere showed that the concentration of all pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, and PM10) tends to increase in 2028. Air pollution exposure time duration tends to be a key factor affecting the corrosion of material. The results of spatial corrosion estimations indicated that in 2010, the corrosion of copper and Portland limestone were at acceptable levels; however, the estimated corrosion levels for 2019 and 2028 are higher and beyond the acceptable levels. Moreover, both materials in the Rattanakosin historical area exceed their tolerable corrosion rates with considerably serious risks in 2028. The results can be further used to establish active measures to reduce the rate of corrosion of historical buildings in Bangkok.

Tokyo offers great potential for creativity; it "has unique local, microenvironmental elements that cannot be found in other global cities" (p. 12), but the city's unique spatial features are "not yet optimized; in some cases they are neglected or even being gradually transformed, diminished, and destroyed" (p. 12), so this book acts as a timely warning before irreparable damage is done to Tokyo's capacity for creativity. Not governed by any "strictly prescribed set of formalisms" (p. 103), it is now "an open-ended creative design "method" for producing exquisite and distinctive experiences" (p. 103); "a method of place-making rather than just a particular look" (p. 104). Often regarded as "a particularist variation or a regional hybrid in the global expansion of an essentially Western conception of the Modern" (p. 86), and criticized as being "a variant of a consciously contrived regionalism" (p. 85), this chapter points to the style's importance in actually allowing "certain agents to assume control of the debate and reposition themselves not only locally but on a transnational and increasingly global stage" (p. 85). This book pays particular attention to social and community aspects, which the authors see as representing "the core soft, socioenvironmental factors that constitute Tokyo's creativity" (p. 4) and which are "a blind spot in current urban regeneration policies" (p. 4). [Extracted from the article]