Makkasan Complex to be revived



BANGKOK: -- The State Enterprise Policy Committee yesterday agreed with a proposal to develop the so-called Makkasan Complex to business centre and transport and communications hub to remedy the loss-ridden State Railways of Thailand.

The proposal was forwarded by Finance Minister Sommai Phasee to the committee chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha under a plan to salvage the financial status of the SRT which now is indebted of over 80 billion baht.

Under Sommai’s proposal, the SRT’s 512’rai of vacant land in Makkasan area or the location of the so-called Makkasan Complex should be utilised and developed to a business centre and communications and transport hub.

From the revival of the Makkasan Complex, the state railway which its accumulated debt has risen to over 80 billion baht could be salvaged.

The project cost was earlier estimated at 300 billion baht. It comprises an exhibition hall, retail area, entertainment complex, office building, serviced apartments and a luxury hotel.

But there was also opposition to turn the vacant land to a major business complex, rather than a public park or public museum which could serve as a lung for Bangkok people as it is located in the green zone of the capital.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/makkasan-complex-to-be-revived


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-18

Great, any opposition to this development will now be illegal as it has been rubber stamped by the junta - another lost opportunity for a bit of green space in the capital. On the other hand we could always use another business complex mall

Imagine if they had turned it into a green space. How amazing would that have been for Bangkok? The shortsightedness of this decision saddens me greatly.

And Somchai says: boring- no shopping mall!

Whether we approve or not, if it is going to happen, maybe this would be a good opportunity to improve the connection between the Makkasan Airport link station and the MRT.

Whether we approve or not, if it is going to happen, maybe this would be a good opportunity to improve the connection between the Makkasan Airport link station and the MRT.

Better than the walkway? I think it's as good as it's going to get.

What a terrible shame that the dismal state of politics in Thailand over the past few years has led to the current hugely expensive, fragmented and sub-optimal public transport system we now have. Propper planning would have integrated all the systemms with common rail and propulsion systems. But of course when the scope gets too wide deciding how to, and who will decide how to divvy-up the tea money becomes difficult. So the result is what we have now. As in other countries the airport link should have been integrated wth/linked with the BTS/MRT or ideally a common system. Re Makasan, try to make the best of the choices that are left. But keep the coloured politicians out of the process or another disaster is on the cards.

Isn't there already room for a shopping mall inside the massive white elephant that is the Makkasan ARL station?

Where is it if it's not the SRT station ?