Bangkok’s city streets are set for a major revamp, with City Governor Chadchart Sittipunt leading efforts to address enduring urban issues. On October 2, during a visit to Sukhumvit Soi 23 in Watthana district, Governor Chadchart, alongside Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon, shed light on these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for action.

 

A primary concern is the poor road condition, as water pipe installations and subsequent inadequate repairs have left many surfaces in disrepair, a recurring issue throughout Bangkok. Furthermore, outdated green light poles contribute to pedestrian hazards due to frequent malfunctions caused by electrical faults. Governor Chadchart has announced plans to update these poles by refurbishing them and securing the wiring underground, aiming to reduce theft and functionality issues.

Roadside paving also drew criticism from the Governor, who demanded improvements. However, the most pressing concern remains the traffic bottlenecks at Sukhumvit Soi 23’s entrance, where the road narrows from four lanes to three, creating a choke point. Pedestrian pathways are similarly affected, often blocked by random poles and trees. Chadchart proposes a solution to widen the road to maintain four lanes and intends to enforce stricter measures against illegal parking.

 

These steps aim not only to alleviate traffic congestion but also to enhance safety and accessibility for both drivers and pedestrians in Bangkok's bustling heart.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-04

 

Good stuff.

Very good city Bangkok, I always feel very safe even at night.

Nice mannered people the Thais.

Sorry Governor but you can certainly dream the dream.

There will never be enough money in the pot for you to be able to deliver that dream.

Money in Thailand's budgets has a strange way of evaporating.

So, it´s going to look like the picture for 3 more years during the repair.

21 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

So, it´s going to look like the picture for 3 more years during the repair.

 

Its something that definitely needs to be done... 

 

Every official needs to be put in a wheel-chair and told to 'get around'....   then the would truly understand the scale of the issue... Its impossible to go half the places with a kid in push-chair. 

 

We'd have to drive 500m down the road, just to avoid using the push chair in the road (because there was no useable pavement / sidewalk) - so this is definitely needed.

 

Then when the pavements / sidewalks are in good condition - the motorcycles use them, so that needs to be addressed too.

 

Bangkok is already doing a decent job of burying the cables...   I hope they keep it up. 

 

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Its something that definitely needs to be done... 

 

Every official needs to be put in a wheel-chair and told to 'get around'....   then the would truly understand the scale of the issue... Its impossible to go half the places with a kid in push-chair. 

 

We'd have to drive 500m down the road, just to avoid using the push chair in the road (because there was no useable pavement / sidewalk) - so this is definitely needed.

 

Then when the pavements / sidewalks are in good condition - the motorcycles use them, so that needs to be addressed too.

 

Bangkok is already doing a decent job of burying the cables...   I hope they keep it up. 

 

Yeah, sure it´s needed. It´s just the horrific amount of time all need to take to be done. After they are finish, the first street or pavement starting to crack. 😉 

20 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Its something that definitely needs to be done... 

 

Every official needs to be put in a wheel-chair and told to 'get around'....   then the would truly understand the scale of the issue... Its impossible to go half the places with a kid in push-chair. 

 

We'd have to drive 500m down the road, just to avoid using the push chair in the road (because there was no useable pavement / sidewalk) - so this is definitely needed.

 

Then when the pavements / sidewalks are in good condition - the motorcycles use them, so that needs to be addressed too.

 

Bangkok is already doing a decent job of burying the cables...   I hope they keep it up. 

 

I agree, it is a shame the recent Paralympic team gold medalists could not speak out about it, while they were under the limelight, but they would be accused of giving Thailand a bad name, now they deservedly have their Millions they won't have to worry about it.

Even Banks have no wheelchair access. 

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

I agree, it is a shame the recent Paralympic team gold medalists could not speak out about it, while they were under the limelight, but they would be accused of giving Thailand a bad name, now they deservedly have their Millions they won't have to worry about it.

Even Banks have no wheelchair access. 

 

When its safer to carry a 1 year old in your arms in a taxi than it is push them down a semi-existent footpath, we know there is something very '3rd world' about the attitudes here... 

 

 

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

When its safer to carry a 1 year old in your arms in a taxi than it is push them down a semi-existent footpath, we know there is something very '3rd world' about the attitudes here... 

 

 

I agree. 

I wish he’d come to my soi (36), where there aren’t any pedestrian pavements at all. 

11 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

So, it´s going to look like the picture for 3 more years during the repair.

 

also .......   don't forget .    Thai repairs have to be done a minimum of three times to get it close to being decent

 so,   9-10 years is most probable

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A primary concern is the poor road condition, as water pipe installations and subsequent inadequate repairs have left many surfaces in disrepair, a recurring issue throughout Bangkok.

Sue the construction companies.

Yeah sure. Another benefit of living in remote rural northern Thailand; no Bangkok style footpaths. Our small town and smallish provincial capital have substantially better footpaths.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok’s city streets are set for a major revamp, with City Governor Chadchart Sittipunt leading efforts to address enduring urban issues

 

A beginning would be to remove at least 50% of the cars.

I’ll say this.. I live in the Sathorn area and I brisk speed walk (as exercise) along Rajadamri Road from Rama 4 (ie Lumphini Park) up to Rama 1 (ie CTW) and the side walks there are perfect.. smooth, largely obstruction free, wide  and level ..  even on the major roads in my district - I’ve seen the city make pretty sizable improvements.. While I agree that it’s going to take time - lots of it .. and money - even more of it.. from my own perspective, it’s been a very good initial rollout 

Also stop the traffic police from parking motorcycles on pavement and forcing the children to walk on road outside the schools

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Good stuff.

Very good city Bangkok, I always feel very safe even at night.

Nice mannered people the Thais.

"Thais are the nicest people money can buy"

(Spalding Grey)

Quote

Pedestrian pathways are similarly affected, often blocked by random poles and trees. Chadchart proposes a solution to widen the road to maintain four lanes and intends to enforce stricter measures against illegal parking

 

Don't forget illegal electricity and phone lines across the pathway, motorcycles, and people selling crap in the pathway.

LOL.   I have been hearing and reading about this "issue" for over 50 years; I am sill waiting for some effective action.

A couple of years ago the pavement along Sukhumvit Road from Nana to Phnom Phong was repaved at great expense. 

 

Already the paving slabs are cracking, there are large holes, it has been dug up again in places and it's a safety hazard. 

 

Thais simply cannot manage their civic infrastructure. 

While there ripping up footpath it would be a good time to address the drainage issue amongst many other things considering it will be unusable for 2 or more years.

Alot of money needed and many miles of pavement to repair or rebuild.good luck in that endeavour

This has been promised by various governors over the last 50 years plus. All that ever happens is a few metres of pavement in the Sukhumvit area are renovated in front of media reporters/cameras. After that, nothing.

There’s too much corruption by the governors in each province to actually care about the people that are handicap. They need to sidewalks TIT.

I'm not inclined to believe anything a sittipunt says. Sounds much too close to another well known phrase.

Can they please put white lines up the middle of the footpaths so the motor bikes can keep to one side?

Farang who walk on streets should pay tax 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Bangkok’s city streets are set for a major revamp, with City Governor Chadchart Sittipunt leading efforts to address enduring urban issues. On October 2, during a visit to Sukhumvit Soi 23 in Watthana district, Governor Chadchart, alongside Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon, shed light on these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for action.

 

A primary concern is the poor road condition, as water pipe installations and subsequent inadequate repairs have left many surfaces in disrepair, a recurring issue throughout Bangkok. Furthermore, outdated green light poles contribute to pedestrian hazards due to frequent malfunctions caused by electrical faults. Governor Chadchart has announced plans to update these poles by refurbishing them and securing the wiring underground, aiming to reduce theft and functionality issues.

Roadside paving also drew criticism from the Governor, who demanded improvements. However, the most pressing concern remains the traffic bottlenecks at Sukhumvit Soi 23’s entrance, where the road narrows from four lanes to three, creating a choke point. Pedestrian pathways are similarly affected, often blocked by random poles and trees. Chadchart proposes a solution to widen the road to maintain four lanes and intends to enforce stricter measures against illegal parking.

 

These steps aim not only to alleviate traffic congestion but also to enhance safety and accessibility for both drivers and pedestrians in Bangkok's bustling heart.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-04

 

Yeah. Right.😉

If they think the payments are bad in Bangkok they should see them in Pattaya or as I like to call it dog s- -t alley

15 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Good stuff.

Very good city Bangkok, I always feel very safe even at night.

Nice mannered people the Thais.

Yeah, farangs only judge Bangkok's safety on the basis of violence and ignore a whole range of issues that makes it a very unsafe city. Try telling them that and they are up in arms to protect the reputation of their adopted city.