Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has completed upgrades to over 1,100 kilometres of footpaths across the city and plans to improve an additional 340 kilometres in 2026, focusing on major roads and key alleyways, especially those near public transport hubs.

 

Mr. Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, said the 2026 budget would prioritise high-traffic areas in both inner and outer districts. Key improvements will target alleyways leading to BTS and MRT stations, ensuring pedestrian-friendly access within a one-kilometre radius of each station to facilitate smoother commuting.

 

The standardised upgrades include levelling access points to buildings with adjacent pavements and using reinforced concrete with wire mesh surfacing to ensure durability and safety.

 

According to the Department of Public Works (DPW), the city has followed the 2022 pavement standards guidelines. Since its implementation, 963 km of pavements have been upgraded from 2022 to 2024, with an additional 139 km completed in 2025, totalling 1,102 km. The 2026 plan to improve a further 340 km includes:

 

• Full street-wide upgrades,

• Enhancements around train stations,

• Works along the BKK Trail pedestrian routes,

• Restoration of pavements previously dug up by utility providers,

• Spot repairs based on inspections and public complaints.

 

Projects already underway or planned include:

 

• Sukhumvit Soi 50 from Khlong Khang to Khlong Bang Chak (Khlong Toei District),

• Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road from Bang Sue Tunnel to the Bangkok border (Chatuchak, Lak Si, and Don Mueang Districts),

• Suvarnabhumi 4 Road from Lat Krabang Road to Khlong Nong Prue (Lat Krabang District),

• Songprapa Road from Boonanan Market to Nawong Prachapatthana Road (Don Mueang District),

• Somdet Phra Pinklao and Borommaratchachonnani Roads from Pinklao Bridge to the city limits (Bangkok Noi and Bang Phlat Districts),

• Luang Phrot Phitthayaphat Road from Hua Takhe Station to Khlong Prawet Burirom (Lat Krabang District),

• Bang Khun Thian-Chai Thale Road from Khlong Bang Khamoi to Khlong Yai Phian (Bang Khun Thian District).

 

Construction is being closely monitored to ensure compliance with quality standards and contractual terms. The city says these improvements are part of its broader strategy to make Bangkok more walkable, accessible and connected for all residents.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-07-30

 

 

 

12 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has completed upgrades to over 1,100 kilometres of footpaths

Wow, looks great, somewhere nice for Somchai to park his motorbike. 

 

 

Motorcycle taxi drivers & shop keepers will be pleased, more space for them ................LOL

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Wow, looks great, somewhere nice for Somchai to park his motorbike. 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

Motorcycle taxi drivers & shop keepers will be pleased, more space for them ................LOL

Kudos to them for actually making a start - parking enforcement is another issue as you say 

 

Considering how relatively few footpaths/actual pavements Pattaya has I just wish they would do something similar for what there is. It might get more people to use them rather then wandering along in the middle of the road which I see more and more even where there are pavements.

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Wow, looks great, somewhere nice for Somchai to park his motorbike. 

 

 

You seem to know Thailand so well. Remember also stalls and tables!

And for it to all be redone in 2027 due to poor construction. 

Took them over a year but they've done a very neat job. Just wonder how long they'll last... as people don't really take care of anything that doesn't belong to them...

9 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Wow, looks great, somewhere nice for Somchai to park his motorbike. 

 

 

The shops and vendors will love the extra space

I'll be happy when I see the pavement done (widened & levelled & no death traps) from Benjakiti Park to Terminal 21 & down Sukhumvit Rd to Nana.

2 hours ago, garygooner said:

And for it to all be redone in 2027 due to poor construction. 

Maybe sooner if BKK floods, all those concrete pavers lifting, not a good look  

I was in Singapore, 3 days, for the first time.    The difference between Bangkok and Singapore is amazing.   

...Huh...(?)

..1,100 Kilometers... (?)

...Where... (?)

2 hours ago, radiochaser said:

I was in Singapore, 3 days, for the first time.    The difference between Bangkok and Singapore is amazing.   

Yes, totally agree. Singapore is a sterile dump with the ambiance of a dentists waiting room. Give me the buzz of Bangkok with all its faults any day of the week.

8 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Yes, totally agree. Singapore is a sterile dump with the ambiance of a dentists waiting room. Give me the buzz of Bangkok with all its faults any day of the week.

Thinking about it, I can see your point.   Still, it was an interesting trip.   I like being new, interesting, and non harmful experiences. 

 

Out of curiosity, I have been looking at rental prices  there on the internet and considering the cost of meals there, that confirmed some comments I have seen on internet posts (possibly some from aseannow/thaivisa). 

 

Living in Singapore is expensive!!  For what the monthly asking price is for a 2 bedroom condo/apartment, I can  rent a 5 or 6 bedroom, 4 bath house with a 3 car garage back in Pennsylvania, in the area I live. 

9 minutes ago, radiochaser said:

Thinking about it, I can see your point.   Still, it was an interesting trip.   I like being new, interesting, and non harmful experiences. 

 

Out of curiosity, I have been looking at rental prices  there on the internet and considering the cost of meals there, that confirmed some comments I have seen on internet posts (possibly some from aseannow/thaivisa). 

 

Living in Singapore is expensive!!  For what the monthly asking price is for a 2 bedroom condo/apartment, I can  rent a 5 or 6 bedroom, 4 bath house with a 3 car garage back in Pennsylvania, in the area I live. 

Don't even think about owning a car in Singapore!!

4 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Don't even think about owning a car in Singapore!!

You are trying to kill me right????   😂

 

I had to look.   A mid range car!!  I think I am having a heart attack!   I know where I can buy a decent four bedroom 2 bath house for that much!!  

The tiles laid down by the BMA in the past seem to have been placed on a base of sand. It explains why they all seem wonky.

Should ask disabled people to assess how good a job they have done?  If I still had the bad cataracts that I had previously (I would have been assessed as legally blind in UK according to the optician), there is no way I could have survived Bangkok's pavements.

On 7/30/2025 at 7:42 AM, topt said:

 

Kudos to them for actually making a start - parking enforcement is another issue as you say 

 

Considering how relatively few footpaths/actual pavements Pattaya has I just wish they would do something similar for what there is. It might get more people to use them rather then wandering along in the middle of the road which I see more and more even where there are pavements.

   Agree.  They could start with Pattaya Second Road by the Hard Rock Hotel area.  Sidewalk is hardly 60 centimeters wide in some spots, and not helped by overgrown shrubbery.  In one area on the other side of the road there is no sidewalk at all.  

22 hours ago, Purdey said:

The tiles laid down by the BMA in the past seem to have been placed on a base of sand. It explains why they all seem wonky.

 

Yep, that's what they long were doing in the Sukhumvit area where I live... And as soon as it inevitably rained, the water turned the sand underlayment into mush and the pavement tiles became like little mini surfboards bobbing in the ocean.

 

However, lately (in the past couple years), they seem to have switched to a new and better approach as described in the OP, with wire reinforced concrete as the base and then pavement tiles laid on top...

 

At least around where I live, those newer style of pavement upgrades seem to be durable and not degraded by the rains and time.

 

 

what a bunch of depressing old retired losers in this thread lol. all living in thailand but doing nothing but complaining. you guys are sad.

Make sure to plant very large trees in the middle of every sidewalk.