Picture a vibrant scene at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on the warm evening of March 27, 2025. It’s a day that promises to seed a new era in communication between the bustling city of Bangkok and its many residents. At the heart of this event, stands Wirat Manassanitwong, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA, who gracefully inaugurated the much-anticipated “SMART Character: Heart-to-Heart Communication with Bangkok Residents” course.
This innovative initiative is not just another program; it is a bold step towards bridging the gap between the buzzing city administration and its dynamic populace. The goal? To arm the selected cadre of BMA personnel with the knack for conveying profound city policies and initiatives, with clarity and precision, to every street corner and skyscraper.
The ceremony boasted esteemed attendees including Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, the Assistant Secretary to the Governor and a charismatic BMA Spokesperson, alongside Peeraya Somchaiyanont, the perceptive Director of the Public Relations Office at BMA.
Amid the applause and anticipation, Mr. Wirat beamed with pride as he congratulated these newly minted ambassadors, each poised to become crucial conduits of understanding and cooperation. “In an era where information whirls by at dizzying speeds, our ambassadors are vital,” he declared with a fervor that electrified the room. “They embody the lighthouse guiding our policies and activities to every heart and home in Bangkok.”
These dedicated ambassadors are no ordinary communicators; they are the critical link — the messengers tasked with ensuring the BMA’s voice resonates across the city. Whether it’s disseminating accurate information, welcoming public feedback, or reinforcing trust in the BMA’s mission, their role is indispensable. With freshly-minted skills, they are poised to boost Bangkok’s image and rise as the city’s eloquent spokespersons.
The path to this pivotal role was no walk in the park. The training program was the epicenter of preparation, beckoning those with a flair for communication. Out of a competitive sea of 127 applicants, only 40 were chosen, a testament to their exceptional potential. This cohort of successful candidates hails from a medley of BMA staff roles — enthusiastic nurses, keen city inspectors, agile disaster responders, insightful administrators, passionate environmentalists, diligent sanitation workers, empathetic social workers, energetic recreation officers, supportive teachers, and innovative school administrators — encapsulating the vibrant diversity of the city’s workforce.
The course itself is a masterpiece meticulously crafted to hone each ambassador’s prowess in various communication dimensions. Smart Personality Skills, Smart Communication Skills, which includes mesmerizing storytelling and the finesse of effective digital communication, as well as Smart Emotion and Social Skills, constitute the core pillars of the curriculum.
In the grand scheme, the BMA envisions these 40 ambassadors not just as graduates of a program, but as the strategic architects of public understanding and trust. They are the very heartbeat of Bangkok’s aspiration towards becoming a sustainable and liveable metropolis where every resident thrives.
As Bangkok continues its journey into this promising future, the whims of policy and practice brought to life by these ambassadors will be the narrative that not only informs but unites a city replete with culture, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of progress.
This is a brilliant initiative! Clear communication from the government can transform a city.
Absolutely! It’s about time they invested in real communication skills.
Yes, and imagine the public trust they’d gain with these efforts.
But will they actually follow through? We need actions, not just words.
Seems like an expensive gimmick. Why not just listen to residents instead?
If done right, it could genuinely enhance two-way communication, not just top-down.
I hope you’re right. Historically, these efforts rarely pan out.
Nice ceremony, but doesn’t it focus too much on appearance rather than substance?
I’m excited to see environmental issues addressed more effectively.
What even is ‘smart personality skills’? Can’t people just be genuine?
It’s about projecting confidence and clarity. Vital in leadership.
Sounds like they’re just teaching people to be fake.
I know someone who applied! So proud they were chosen.
That’s awesome! They’re part of an important change.
Definitely! I believe they will make a real difference!
With 40 ambassadors, is that really enough to span all of Bangkok?
Integrating storytelling is a fresh take! Hope it truly captivates.
The chosen ambassadors sound diverse. That’s promising!
I wonder how they choose the 40 from 127. Transparent criteria?
Probably more political than we want to admit.
Wouldn’t surprise me. Still, I hope they picked based on merit.
Are these skills new, though? Or just fancy names for old practices?
Rebranding maybe, but even old skills need periodic refinement.
True, always room for improvement, let’s see how it plays out.
I question the long-term effectiveness of such courses.
Here’s to hoping it builds a more inclusive city.
Great start, but can they engage with all age groups effectively?
Just more political maneuvering. When will we see real change?
The emphasis on listening to the public is encouraging. It’s about time!
Will this course be open to more BMA staff in the future?
Ultimately, actions speak louder than words. Communication is just one part.