We're less than 72 hours into 2020 and I would like to help you, dear readers, ease back into your routines. Here are a few of my somewhat educated guesstimates of what this year has in store for us.
Plastic Bag Out, Cloth Bag In?
Major retailers have vowed to stop giving away free plastic bags for customers starting this month. I would be happier about that news had I not also seen 7-Eleven stores starting to sell their own cloth bags as a more sustainable option. Some of them come with the "Use me again and again" tagline, which sounds like a line from 50 Shades Of Grey. I wouldn't be too surprised if other retailers start doing the same (some may already have). Sure, containing the use of single-use plastic bags is long overdue but it may not be the wisest decision to replace it with another type of material that could also end up being garbage, as well. Have you ever wondered how much resources go into the making of one tote bag compared to a plastic bag? Also, how many times do we have to use a tote bag to make up for the environmental impact caused by its making? Why not simply -- shock horror -- encourage customers to bring a bag they already have to shop? If you're going to stop by a 7-Eleven for afternoon snacks, carry them in your hand for Buddha's sake. I certainly think that it isn't too much to ask, is it?.
Transport Transformed
You may have missed the news that BMTA has launched cashless public buses since October on 129 routes. Top-up cards, which can be used to store money, can be used on EDC machines on participating buses. BMTA has issued 300,000 of these cards for its one-year trial period. You won't have to awkwardly dig for the coins in your pockets anymore. And you know how many times I have dropped a satang coin on a moving bus only to give up on retrieving it? It's a small improvement but I'll take it and hopefully, this will the first of many steps to encourage more people to use buses. In another commuter news, Grab may be legalised by March as well. Taxi drivers should take this news as a wake-up call to shape up or drive off instead of staging a protest or attacking Grab drivers like a "thugxi" driver.
No More Future (Forward Party)?
The fate of the Future Forward Party will be decided on Jan 21 by the Constitutional Court and given the track record, it doesn't look too promising. Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was stripped of his MP status over a media share and now his party faces the allegation that its fundamental principles are against the Constitutional Monarchy and that it's linked to the Illuminati. Whether his loan to the party violated any laws, is another matter up for discussion. Would it even be Thailand if there was no political drama? Same same, but different.
Democratic Bangkok
The general election last year may not have given us much hope on the progress of democracy of this country, given the confusing results, questionable vote calculation and 250 senators appointed by NCPO, who have a say in picking the PM. But, damn it, Bangkokians will get to vote for their next leader soon without the involvement of a special body of people, who have more voting power than us peasants. My vote goes to anyone who wants to tackle our horrific traffic and air pollution. Let's hope that our future governor won't be sacked by the power of Article 44 like MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra was.
P.S. For other less serious happenings this year, turn to our cover story.