Bangkok launches one-stop digital booking for public spaces

Anyone who's tried booking government premises for events in Bangkok knows the pain. The endless back and forth, the weeks of waiting (sometimes months), the approvals that arrive only to find the actual staff on site haven't been told what's happening. It's enough to make anyone want to give up.

But things are changing. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been working to turn urban spaces into actual public spaces again, the kind people can genuinely use rather than just walk past. First they compiled data on what spaces exist and started making the whole application process less of a headache. Film crews got to try it out first through a One Stop Service, then BMA opened things up to festivals and all sorts of activities across the city. The result? Events popping up all over Bangkok, bringing proper life back to shared spaces that have sat empty for too long.

Now, BMA has launched an official public space booking platform that handles everything in one place. The website cuts out most of the faff, sorting applications and coordinating with the agencies that manage each space before your event day even arrives. This means organisers can actually plan things properly and the city gets to host new ideas without everyone losing their minds in the process. Here's how the booking works:

For film shooting (BFMCC)

1. Submit your application with all the documents attached (staff review them within one to three working days)
2. Wait for consideration and pay any service fees if there are any (this takes about seven to 14 working days)
3. Access the shooting space on your reserved day and time, and pay fines if there are any

For music performance in parks

1. Submit your audition work to get the right to perform music in parks
2. Book your space, date and time according to available slots (you need to do this a month in advance)
3. Perform music at the space according to your reserved time

For busking artists (Bangkok street performer)

1. Submit your audition work to get busking rights
2. Book your space, date and time (at least three days in advance)
3. Perform music at your reserved space (you perform for about an hour and 45 minutes and return the space within 15 minutes)

For organising creative activities

1. Submit your application with all the documents attached (staff review them within one to three working days)
2. Wait for consideration and pay any service fees if there are any (this takes about seven working days)
3. Once you get approval, go ahead with your activities on the reserved day and time (if there's a fine, you can pay it later)

The streamlined system makes organising genuinely easier than before. But there's one thing that still needs proper attention and that's sound. Music events and concerts don't keep their noise within neat boundaries. The sound travels, hitting residential areas and affecting people who live nearby and didn't ask for a gig on their doorstep. 

Every event needs to come with clear regulations on sound levels that everyone actually follows. The city can be vibrant and full of life without making things miserable for the people who actually live here.

You can book spaces at publicspace.bangkok.go.th.