title: Digital cities and their commercial aesthetics: The celebration of monarchy in Bangkok

authors: Isaacs, Bronwyn

abstract: This article argues that the expanding role of digital urban infrastructure in Bangkok has revitalised a visual aesthetic designed to uphold royal authority. This royal aesthetic permeates in intimate and widespread areas of city design and urban life, particularly in regard to everyday consumption. The article examines how digital infrastructures facilitate a cheap and efficient continuation of long-standing practices of publicising royal imagery. This politicised practice visually marks Bangkok with a conservative vision of Thainess inextricably tied to monarchy. The article engages with scholarly critiques of ‘smart cities’, scholarship of digital city imaginaries and the study of urban authoritarianism in Bangkok. Based in a visual anthropological approach, the article draws on ethnographic research, both in person and digital, to analyse digital visual propaganda including a campaign called The Pride of Thailand, eulogistic celebrations of King Bhumibol following his death and birthday celebrations of King Vajiralongkorn. The article argues that in Bangkok, digital infrastructures provide an efficient and cost-effective aesthetic that renders urban inequality ordinary and bolster monarchical authority. Owing to the commercial basis of many mainstream digital infrastructures, these images are circulated regardless of consumers’ political preferences. The everyday encounters with images of the monarchy in commercial spaces and online platforms thus serve as an intimate and unavoidable imposition of royal influence.

text: Digital cities and their commercial aesthetics: The celebration of monarchy in Bangkok This article argues that the expanding role of digital urban infrastructure in Bangkok has revitalised a visual aesthetic designed to uphold royal authority. This royal aesthetic permeates in intimate and widespread areas of city design and urban life, particularly in regard to everyday consumption. The article examines how digital infrastructures facilitate a cheap and efficient continuation of long-standing practices of publicising royal imagery. This politicised practice visually marks Bangkok with a conservative vision of Thainess inextricably tied to monarchy. The article engages with scholarly critiques of ‘smart cities’, scholarship of digital city imaginaries and the study of urban authoritarianism in Bangkok. Based in a visual anthropological approach, the article draws on ethnographic research, both in person and digital, to analyse digital visual propaganda including a campaign called The Pride of Thailand, eulogistic celebrations of King Bhumibol following his death and birthday celebrations of King Vajiralongkorn. The article argues that in Bangkok, digital infrastructures provide an efficient and cost-effective aesthetic that renders urban inequality ordinary and bolster monarchical authority. Owing to the commercial basis of many mainstream digital infrastructures, these images are circulated regardless of consumers’ political preferences. The everyday encounters with images of the monarchy in commercial spaces and online platforms thus serve as an intimate and unavoidable imposition of royal influence.

year: 2025

title: Variations in nutrient concentrations at different time scales in two shallow tidally dominated estuaries

authors: Tay, Hui W.

subjects: diel

abstract: Water-quality observations in estuaries can be highly variable in time and space, making it difficult to quantify nutrient fluxes and to discriminate patterns. We measured nitrate, phosphate and ammonium concentrations in two shallow tidally dominated estuaries in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, during four periods (winter, start of spring, end of spring and summer) within 1 year, to determine the source of variability observed in a 19-year monitoring program. These measurements consisted of high-frequency monitoring during one 24-h period (covering a daytime flood-ebb tide and a night-time flood-ebb tide) at each estuary. Concentrations of nitrate and ammonium had distinctive tidal patterns, with rising values during ebb flows. This tidal asymmetry caused a net seaward flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), with higher exports at night. Net fluxes were 34358kgN per tidal cycle for nitrate and 2293kgN per tidal cycle for ammonium. Fluxes were large relative to previously published model-based predictions for the region, particularly during winter. Our results showed that estuarine sampling strategies need to account for tidal variability and the role of episodic runoff events, and highlighted the importance of correctly validated mass fluxes from field measurements for comparisons with nutrient-loading models.

text: Variations in nutrient concentrations at different time scales in two shallow tidally dominated estuaries Water-quality observations in estuaries can be highly variable in time and space, making it difficult to quantify nutrient fluxes and to discriminate patterns. We measured nitrate, phosphate and ammonium concentrations in two shallow tidally dominated estuaries in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, during four periods (winter, start of spring, end of spring and summer) within 1 year, to determine the source of variability observed in a 19-year monitoring program. These measurements consisted of high-frequency monitoring during one 24-h period (covering a daytime flood-ebb tide and a night-time flood-ebb tide) at each estuary. Concentrations of nitrate and ammonium had distinctive tidal patterns, with rising values during ebb flows. This tidal asymmetry caused a net seaward flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), with higher exports at night. Net fluxes were 34358kgN per tidal cycle for nitrate and 2293kgN per tidal cycle for ammonium. Fluxes were large relative to previously published model-based predictions for the region, particularly during winter. Our results showed that estuarine sampling strategies need to account for tidal variability and the role of episodic runoff events, and highlighted the importance of correctly validated mass fluxes from field measurements for comparisons with nutrient-loading models.

year: 2012

title: Respecting and recognising Indigenous rights when challenged by commercial activities

authors: Toki, Valmaine

abstract: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was hailed as a triumph among Indigenous peoples, signalling a long-awaited recognition of their fundamental human rights. Despite this, many violations of these basic rights continue, particularly in relation to extractive industries and business activities. In response, a business reference guide seeks to inform industries of their responsibilities. This article examines the tenuous relationship between Indigenous rights, state responsibilities and business expectations.

text: Respecting and recognising Indigenous rights when challenged by commercial activities The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was hailed as a triumph among Indigenous peoples, signalling a long-awaited recognition of their fundamental human rights. Despite this, many violations of these basic rights continue, particularly in relation to extractive industries and business activities. In response, a business reference guide seeks to inform industries of their responsibilities. This article examines the tenuous relationship between Indigenous rights, state responsibilities and business expectations.

year: 2018