News & Articles
Tackling PM 2.5 in Thailand: A Multifaceted Approach Informed by Diverse Sources
Thailand’s battle with PM 2.5—fine particulate matter known for its serious health implications—has garnered significant attention from government bodies, research institutes, and international organizations. With contributions from a variety of sources, the country is advancing a comprehensive strategy to address air quality challenges. According to TDRI, legislative measures, such as
Transforming Health Promotion: Insights from the Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024
The Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024 highlights health promotion as a transformative pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Co-hosted by leading health organisations, the event gathered health professionals and policymakers from Southeast Asia to exchange knowledge, showcase best practices, and explore innovative tools to address modern health challenges. Key
Thai Mayors Unveil Healthy City Projects
It takes time to see the impact of positive change on individual lives in cities. World Health Organization South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) initiated the WHO Regional Healthy City Network for SEAR in 2022. After two years of collaboration with the Regional Lab on Urban Governance for Health and Well-Being (RL-UGHW),
What Would A Disability-Inclusive Environment Look Like?
1 in 6 of us are persons with disabilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the world’s population – experience disability nowadays. Despite the prevalence of disability, available evidence points to a global lack of accessibility to urban environments and services.
Understanding Social Impact Assessments: Why They Matter and How to Conduct Them Effectively
In today’s world, where businesses and development projects can have far-reaching effects on communities, the need for responsible decision-making has never been greater. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a vital tool that helps organisations, governments, and stakeholders evaluate the potential social effects of a project. But what exactly is
Making South Sukhumvit More Walkable
South Sukhumvit (Phra Khanong-Bang Na) was once the suburb of old communities. Now, developers are touting it as the southern downtown and the gateway of Bangkok. Projects are underway to make the neighbourhood more walkable, according to a public seminar. Speaking at Baan Jirayu-Poonsap Learning Library, Assoc Prof Niramon Serisakul,
WHO Awards Thai Healthy Cities
World Health Organization South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) has awarded four Thai cities – Bangkok, Sadao, Bansuan, and Klongchaun – for their progress towards becoming WHO Healthy Cities. Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO representative to Thailand, said they have shown commitment to improving the health and well-being of their residents, and the
Helping Hand for the Homeless Elderly
Born in Phetchaburi, Phorn is unable to return home because nobody is there anymore. She ends up living on the street in Bangkok, collecting discarded items and sleeping in an alley near McDonald’s restaurant on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Her working hours start from 1 am till dawn. She works day in
Smart City for Silver Gen
The Smart City can be a solution to the phenomenon of urban aging, according to a seminar at Chulalongkorn University. “Thailand has already entered an aged society since 2022. But alarmingly, it will become a super-aged society [with more than 28% of its population being 60 and over] in 2033,”
Case studies of Cities in China with Blue-Green Infrastructure
Sponge City is an urban construction model capable of tackling weather conditions such as monsoons, swelling, flooding or other water events, through drainage systems or areas that prevent the accumulation of water. Many cities have expanded rapidly with a focus on concrete and impermeable surfaces, leading to significant challenges with
Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping
A stakeholder map is a visual diagram that assists in the identification of key stakeholders and understanding the relationship between them. As resources such as time, energy and money are limited, the map allows the team to effectively prioritise the stakeholders involved and allocate the appropriate resources required to engage them. The map could be represented as Mendelow’s Matrix which shows the level of stakeholders’ influence and interest.
Thailand’s Healthy Cities Initiative
Thailand’s Department of Health launched a nation-wide on healthy city initiative in the country as of November 2021, and has recently accredited a total of 108 municipalities, from 12 health districts, as healthy cities. Amongst the cities awarded on 18th August, there were a total of14 gold awardees, 39 silver
Capacity Building workshop for Healthy Cities in Thailand
At the recently-held workshop on 30 November – 1 December 2023, approximately 80 local government representatives from 15 cities in Thailand gathered for capacity building training to advance governance for health. Hosted by Thailand’s Department Of Health, the cities in attendance are part of Thailand’s Healthy City Initiative and WHO
Field Visit to Dhulikhel, Nepal on 28 April 2023
RL-UGHW was honored to be hosted by the honorable Mayor Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju during a field visit to Dhulikhel on 28 April 2023. A member of the SEAR Healthy Cities Network, Dhulikhel has been exemplary in charting development to achieve SDG goals, and has made notable achievements in improvements
Highlights from the WHO-SEARO Regional Workshop to Develop City Health Profiles and Healthy City Plan held on 25-27 April 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
RL-UGHW coordinated the recently-concluded Regional Workshop in partnership with WHO-SEARO to support cities in the SEAR Healthy Cities Network. Over the 3-day workshop, country and city representatives in SEAR underwent capacity building to chart cities’ health and develop actionable plans to improve health and well-being for the population. RL-UGHW conducted