Sanam Luang Renovation Kicks Off Today

[webfact]

Sanam Luang renovation kicks off today

BANGKOK: -- 1 February 2010 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has sent municipal officials to Sanam Luang to clear vehicles out of the area, in preparations for the renovation that starts today.

The renovation is to prepare Sanam Luang as a royal celebration ground for His Majesty the King’s 83rd birthday anniversary on 5 December 2010. The clearing of vehicles started since last night at 21.00 hrs.

Despite renovations, there are still food vendors, massage services, and mat vendors operating in the area. Homeless people still use Saman Luang to sleep as well. Negotiations with those using the place took time, the BMA said.

It is reported that municipal officials have began to capture pigeons in the area, causing displeasure to pigeon food venders there. The pigeons captured will be sent to the army’s Signal Department in Ratchaburi province.

The homeless people on the other hand will be relocated to homeless shelters built on two land plots, provided by a joint collaboration between the BMA, the Crown Property Bureau, and the Chaipattana Foundation.

The 186-million-THB renovation which uses a budget from the economic stimulus Strong Thailand Scheme will take 300 days to complete or by 30 November 2010.

-- NNT 2010-02-01

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[george]

City officials start rounding up pigeons

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok authorities on Monday started clearing Sanam Luang as part of a 300day campaign to beautify the site.

But their attempts to move about 10,000 pigeons from the area to Ratchaburi province has faced opposition from birdfeed vendors in the area as well as from Ratchaburi residents.

The vendors booed and jeered Bangkok workers who tried to use nets to catch the birds. Some even tried to block the work.

-- The Nation 2010-02-01

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[londonthai]

the usual way to clear pidgeons is to give them poison - in the city they are not more than a vermin. Another one is to use birds of pray, to scare off and disperse birds. Moving them all to one place will cause environmental problems in the new place.

homeless and beggars will still be gathering in the area, because of the concentration of tourists coming to visit the old palace, national museum, national gallery and national theatre. Giving them shelter (and food) away from area as far as possible, will stop them coming back everyday.