In a proactive move to alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok, Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is set to submit plans for the development of existing and potential canal routes.

Underpinning these Bangkok waterways plans is the promotion of passenger boat transportation as a practical solution to the city’s notorious traffic issues.

 

On the specifics of the Bangkok waterways proposal, Punya Chupanit, OTP’s director, divulged that a feasibility study conducted by the OTP to ascertain potential maritime travel development in Bangkok and its nearby provinces is currently underway, with an expected timeline culminating in 2032.

 

The overall objective is a significant increase in waterway routes, from a total of 131.2 kilometres to a staggering 196.6 kilometres. Translucent visibility for budgetary allocation sits at around 9.32 billion baht, which will be requested from the Transport Ministry for approval.

A defining aspect of the proposal reveals an expenditure of 1.32 billion baht allocated for the enhancement of existing Bangkok waterways routes, which span over a distance of 65.4 kilometres. These routes are primarily along the Chao Phraya River and Phadung Krung Kasem and Prawet Buri Rom canals, with prospects for the development of piers and facilities. Equally important is the allocation of the remainder of the budget towards the establishment of four new canal routes, scheduled to unfold within the period of this year to 2027.

 

by Mitch Connor Mitch

Photo courtesy of hotels.com.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-plans-9-32-billion-baht-expansion-for-bangkoks-waterway-routes

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-09

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

Underpinning these Bangkok waterways plans is the promotion of passenger boat transportation as a practical solution to the city’s notorious traffic issues.

Venice of the East... got the waterways already just need the boats.

That's a heavy cost. The waterways exists already and just need to be cleaned up.