I've never been to New York. But I don't think I have to travel that far to get a glimpse of the iconic American city now that a local land developer plans to redesign my neighbourhood, Sam Yan, into a Thai version of it.
The plans, which were reported in local media earlier this month, are those of a land developer who comes from one of the country's richest families and who owns prime plots along the MRT line.
Obviously, the developer's "New York" blueprint features a set of concrete skyscrapers that will serve as an office building, serviced apartments and a lifestyle centre.
According to the investor, the project is aimed at the thousands of deep-pocketed young students from nearby institutions who belong to the high and upper middle echelons of society.
Sirinya Wattanasukchai is an assistant news editor, the Bangkok Post.
The land developer has high expectations for the project seeing as it will be located in a prime position in the capital. Currently, condominiums in the area sell for 200,000 baht per sqm, with many sold out.
A week later, a report came out that another land developer was trying to turn Ayutthaya into Kyoto.
The developer will be one of the 12 teams working for the Pracharat -- a development project between the state and businesses.
According to the developer, the plan to turn the old town into Kyoto is to boost the local economy. It expects incomes for local residents to get a lift through tourism.
The investor said that Kyoto and Ayutthaya share similar features. On the Unesco's world heritage list, both are old capitals and are home to priceless historical sites, palaces and temples.
The developer also compared the income of Ayutthaya's people, who earn 170,000 baht from 6.7 million visitors a year, with Kyoto's, who earn 1.1 million baht a year from 45.3 million tourists, 10.4 million of whom are foreigners.
It's a tall order. There is the possibility of increasing the number of visitors and making Thailand's old capital among the top 10 cities in the world.
Through the proposal, the investor will try to improve the old city in 12 ways which includes the conservation of the heritage sites.
Aside from conservation efforts, they will instal a light-and-sound show that projects colours onto the ruins; spruce up the landscape, add a cycle lane and build hotels and accommodation.
The question that comes to mind is: What's wrong with us? Why do we need to turn our cities into something that they're are not? Can't we just build our own cities and be happy with them?
If we really want Ayutthaya to be the next Kyoto, the first thing we should do is preserve the historical sites for their value, not for tourism.
I appreciate the business developers' efforts to make Thailand more developed. But while they hope to turn Sam Yan into New York and want to erect skyscrapers and fancy infrastructure, I've never heard of a CSR project that brings "Central Park" to Bangkok.
What we will have are colossal structures that use a large amount of energy and offer expensive accommodation, food and a lifestyle that draws only the rich.
But I should not complain. In their capacity, they wish to see business flourish and the economy prosper.
However, in the midst of their grand visions, developers are too often focused on their targets, profits and hitting their numbers, and forget to mention how their structures will affect people's quality of life.
Look at my government and local government.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Adminstration seems to lack vision when it comes to city heritage and how to preserve it for future generations.
In the past two years, all I've heard from people is how City Hall has erased the city of its charm and heritages under the guise of a "clean-up campaign" aimed at bringing back public space to pedestrians.
But the reclaimed spaces and pavements have become empty areas where people don't want to walk as there is nothing to see or enjoy.
The next plan is to evict the people of Pom Mahakan Fort from their homes in Phra Nakhon district. The old community is known for its strong spirit and pride.
If the government gets its way, Mahakan Fort, like Pak Klong Talad flower market, Klong Ong-Ang market and other areas, will be another place stripped of its charm and character.
When City Hall boasts of plans to make the capital attractive, judging from what they have done, I am not convinced they can turn those ideals into reality.