This year promises to be eventful for Bangkok both in terms of local politics and development. Here are five major issues to watch out for in the year ahead.
Bangkok Governor Election
Previously, Bangkok governor contests were dominated by candidates from mainstream parties -- mainly the Democrats and Pheu Thai.
However, in the next election -- slated to be held this year -- independent candidates are hoping to win. This year's poll will likely be a battle between Chadchart Sittipunt, a former minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government and a member of the Pheu Thai Party, and Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator and respected consumer rights activist.
Mr Chadchart has the upper hand due to his media savviness and use of social media to attract young voters. However, Ms Rosana has enjoyed a wave of support thanks to her reputation as a fighter against corruption.
Chao Phraya Promenade
The expensive landscape development project has been a controversial issue since 2014. The project will see the construction of a 14-kilometre promenade along the Chao Phraya River -- from Rama VII Bridge to Phra Pinklao Bridge -- at a cost of about 8.3 billion baht.
The project has drawn protest from civic groups, architects, and environmentalists who have warned that the project will lead to ecological damage and block natural flood drainage, as well as lead to riverbank erosion.
Dodgy Projects
Two of the BMA's incinerator projects are being investigated for corruption -- a 5.6-billion-baht waste disposal system in Nong Khaem in western Bangkok and a similar facility, worth 5.7-billion baht, in On Nut in the Sukhumvit area.
Graft buster Srisuwan Janya will today ask the auditor-general to take a closer look at the projects after accusing the BMA of offering to pay a high disposal fee to the contractors -- 900 baht per tonne as opposed to 250 baht to 490 baht per tonne in Khon Kaen and 300 baht per tonne paid by the Phuket municipality.
Return of Street Food
The BMA's policy to clear pavements was criticised after a crackdown on street food vendors in 2016. Three years later we have stall-free pavements and a loss to the local economy after many food vendor spots in Bangkok were wiped out. The remaining 200 vendor spots are mostly in the Yaowarat area.
Bangkok governor Aswin announced a relaxation of the rules at the end of last year, saying food vendors would be allowed to return to some areas.
Bangkok Landscape
The BMA plans to launch "City Regeneration" landscape development projects in 2020. Some of these areas include the Kadee Jeen neighbourhood by the Chao Phraya River, the opening of a park in the Thon Buri area, and the launch of "City Lab Silom", which aims to redevelop pavements on Silom Road.
