Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday: "We will no longer place emphasis on big construction projects. Instead, we are going for localised projects with a focus on environment, quality of life and sufficiency economy."

As part of this new approach, Apirak and BMA executives plan to "embed" themselves in each district for three days during which time they will gather information on its problems and potential, so that appropriate solutions and recommendations can be made.

"Local people should see a difference within three months of our field trips," Apirak said.

The city governor said he and his team would spend Thursday to Saturday of each week in a different district.

Last week, Apirak was in Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Muang, Sai Mai and Lat Phrao. Later this week, he will visit Bang Kapi, Khan Na Yow, Wang Thong Lang, Bueng Kum, Saphan Sung and Suan Luang.

Late last month, Deputy Bangkok Governor Panich Vikitsret announced that up to 125 BMA projects worth a total of Bt17 billion were suspended, while 33 others would be scaled down.

However, Panich said the suspended projects might be reviewed for implementation in the future. No projects under the BMA Traffic and Transportation Department were suspended or altered. - Jeerawan Prasomsap, The Nation