I’ve noticed that foot traffic to Bangkok’s sprawling parks, from Suan Lum to Benjakitti, has increased significantly recently. This is not a surprise, given that the temperature dropped to 19 degrees in the morning and the breeze persists into the evening. It’s a novelty in Bangkok to "bundle up" with a light sweater, or at least a quarter-zip that also works as half a padel outfit.

Whilst the rest of the world, from France to South Korea, contends with heavy snowfall and dramatic drops in weather, Bangkokians are just thrilled to see a slight drop in temperature and experience some breeze. It’s a novelty for us in Southeast Asia, where humidity and heat reign supreme.

By the time this op-ed is published, it’s likely that our cold spell has come and gone and replaced by the incoming rising PM2.5. In Bangkok, we regularly alternate between cool weather and rising pollution, a true contradiction of life in the bustling big city.

This past week, I’ve enjoyed walking out to buy my morning coffee. This is a ritual that I often skip when the AQI turns orange. The cold weather makes everything feel more like a pleasant ritual and I think our economy would benefit from extended periods of cool weather. Coffee shops, brunch spots and bars will see even more traffic on cooler days.

All this extra time outside recently has led me to make some key observations. I’ve been spending more time at parks, integrating strolls and playtime into our weekend rituals. This is something those who live in Tokyo, Seoul, London and the like must take for granted. In Bangkok, most of us must drive to the park, so it’s definitely an extra effort. Anyway, I’ve noticed subtle shifts in our urban green spaces, from the obvious renovations at Lumpini Park to increased inclusivity for pets and playgrounds.

One of Lumpini Park’s stubborn charms is its rustic surroundings, the ultimate gathering place for OG runners’ clubs, where locals meet and gather around fresh juice stalls that have been around for decades. There are reptiles at the centre of tourist attractions, duck peddles and birds in their natural habitat. These things have remained unchanged. However, the areas surrounding Lumpini have quickly evolved, from the launch of the sprawling One Bangkok compound and its surrounding hotels, to Dusit Central Park and more. The city’s urban landscape and its shifting preferences are also demanding more from its public spaces. This is why we are seeing good initiatives such as the recent installation of a new children’s playground in Lumpini Park, a joint effort between the Australian Embassy and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Now, in addition to slides and swings, kids can roam around upgraded play areas with explorative elements, blending strategic and curious play with pure fun. They will also soon let dogs into the park, with a designated area for your furry companions opening in February.

Progress comes in stages and I feel like the parks’ evolution is a real representation of how things happen in Bangkok. Sometimes slowly, sometimes adjacent to a real estate project and sometimes all at once. Raising a toddler in Bangkok means that you are constantly on the hunt for new playgrounds and outdoor spaces (whilst also checking PM levels), things I never thought twice about two years ago. This led me to discover the new playground in Lumpini, as well as the newly built Playscape in Benjakitti Park, every urbanite’s paradise. The playground is a product of corporates doing good; Gulf and AIS’s initiative. Regardless of why corporations invest in small playgrounds in the corner of a public park, they’re valuable because Bangkok needs more of them. More space for exploration, for play-based learning, which doesn’t discriminate regardless of where you go to school or what your parents do for a living. These outdoor spaces are investing in future citizens and dog-friendly areas of public parks are catering to emerging urban lifestyles and new kinds of economies.

A city needs to be more than "livable". It has to be well-lived-in and well-taken care of. With the national elections coming up in less than a month, people are already feeling politically fatigued, the economy is stale and the general sentiment is sceptical. With all that working against us, people tend to retreat and seek refuge in things and shared experiences. These new additions may seem small but they can offer people memories and experiences, even for a day. We need more of this, as well as a long-term, consistent fix for pollution that will ultimately keep us indoors once more.

When the AQI turns yellow at least, you can find me at the park.

Niki Chatikavanij is the founder of BitesizeBKK, a digital news outlet.