The news of the Dutch embassy land being put up for sale has sparked reactions in every direction. Bangkok has green space coverage of 32%, tree coverage of 19%, and just 7.8 square metres of green space per person -- just below the WHO's recommended minimum of 9 square metres. But grey space does not just replace green; it damages the ecological systems around it. This is what makes the green initiatives feel insufficient -- not because they are wrong, but because they are add-ons. The Dutch embassy land will most likely become another layer of grey expansion, because that is the path of least resistance.

Source: Bangkok Post March 30, 2026 03:01 UTC