Bangkok: Dr. Mallika Boonmeetrakul Mahasuk, candidate for Bangkok Governor number 14, recently visited Nong Chok Market and Akong Market in Khlong Sam Wa District to engage with vendors and residents. During her visit, she listened to the community's concerns, particularly focusing on issues related to lighting, transportation, and public health.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Mallika's initiative aims to address these persistent problems in the rapidly growing suburban areas where infrastructure and public services fall short of the residents' needs. In Nong Chok District, residents have reported inadequate street lighting on secondary roads and community paths, which raises safety concerns during nighttime.
Similarly, in Khlong Sam Wa District, particularly in the Akong Market area, residents face challenges with public transportation. Many communities lack essential bus routes that connect them to the BTS Skytrain or the economic center of Bangkok, leading to wasted time and increased travel expenses. The residents have proposed three urgent development areas to tackle these issues:
1. The installation of smart lighting in high-risk and isolated areas, as well as key traffic routes, to ensure safety around the clock.
2. Upgrading the public transportation system to better connect communities by promoting minibuses and feeder systems linked to the BTS Skytrain. A new Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) bus system is also proposed to provide convenient access, reduce travel expenses, and enhance economic opportunities.
3. The development of a Smart Community Health Hub, which involves upgrading local health centers to provide more comprehensive services using digital technology and telemedicine, thereby connecting local treatment centers with major hospitals.
Dr. Mallika emphasized that Bangkok should not be a city where inner-city residents receive better services than those in suburban areas. The goal is to ensure that all residents have equal access to safety, transportation, and healthcare, embodying the essence of modern, citizen-centered urban management.