A new app will let Bangkok city residents drop pins wherever they see street issues needing repairs. For example, tangled wires, phone booths that have become dog and cat habitats, stolen manhole covers and potholes can be reported.
However, since the app was created by citizens and not the government, it’s not quite as simple as, “Drop a pin and watch stuff get fixed.”
It’s actually a group of citizens that wants to see the city’s walking and streetside conditions improve. They are currently pretty dangerous in a city filled with uneven pavement, hanging rebar, scary snarls of wires and more.
This group of city advocates came up with the idea for the bilingual app and created it. The app, called “YouPin,” allows anyone to download it and begin dropping pins on the city landscape to report issues.
Thitiphong Luangaroonlerd, 33, works in IT and developed the project and app with about 20 friends. He told Khaosod English, “We wanted to create a sense of ownership of the city. Instead of only waiting for authorities to fix things, we now do what we can.”
Thitiphong has reported many street issues to City Hall over the years and he said that they do resolve issues. But he also noted that the ways for citizens to report issues needs improvement. He created the app because he found the government’s website and 1555 hotline were not reliable and don’t take advantage of the latest technology, like GPS.
He also noted the social aspect of his new system. One of the features is that other people can see what has been reported and people can give their opinion on what is the most dangerous or important issue to fix first.
The app does not yet include English, but it will soon. Simply add a photo with description of the issue and share the pin. Categories include: sidewalks, roads, pollution, transportation and waste.
More than 500 pins have already been added to the app.
The group still needs to figure out the right way to regularly report the app’s data to the city government. The project is getting all the right kinds of attention though. YouPin was awarded as Thailand’s winning entry in June in the U.N Development Program’s sustainable cities competition.
It’s a great idea by some very driven citizens and could really change the walking experience in Bangkok. However, with all the issues on Bangkok’s streets, we don’t recommend using this app while you are walking.
Check out the app’s Facebook page for more information.
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