ฺBANGKOK 2082
“In the year 2082, Bangkok's populace swells to 40 million souls. The age of petroleum has long faded into memory, replaced by the ubiquitous hum of hydrogen. Private cars dominate the streets, their sleek forms weaving through a labyrinth of elevated roadways, now seven layers deep, the highest among them a vertiginous feat of engineering.”
Mega-projects, envisioned in the dawn of the century, languish under the weight of corruption. Yet the government breathes new life into the 'Baan Aue Arthorn' scheme, stacking affordable housing high into the sky. The tallest units soar to the 250th floor, a dizzying 800 meters above the teeming streets. Even higher rises Bangkok's tallest edifice, a colossal 1500 meters, the third highest in the world.
Despite the relentless march of progress, the spirit of the Bangkokian remains undimmed. In 2082, they find joy in drive-in cinemas, a nostalgic nod to simpler times, where up to 50 films flicker simultaneously under the starlit sky. Entertainment thrives—casinos and erotic massage parlors perch atop the stacked roadways, offering drive-in delights. Retail giants like 7-Eleven multiply endlessly, infiltrating even the loftiest skyscrapers.
In response to the ever-encroaching urban sprawl, the people vote to expand Santiphap Park, an emerald jewel near Victory Monument, swelling it twentyfold in homage to New York's Central Park. Yet, urban planning remains a distant dream, as buildings great and small encroach upon the verdant sanctuaries, defying regulation.
And so, in 2082, as in 2028, Bangkokians navigate their congested lives, resilient and ever-smiling, a testament to their enduring spirit amidst the towering steel and concrete of their sprawling metropolis.