Thai editorial: A shopping complex, or a 'green lung'

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EDITORIAL
A shopping complex, or a 'green lung'
The Nation

Bangkokians face a stark choice regarding one of the city's last undeveloped tracts

BANGKOK: -- We traditionally plant trees for shade, fresh air and pleasant scenery. In cities, trees act as "oxygen machines", and the fewer there are, the poorer the quality of the air we breathe. However, that equation seems to have been swept aside in one of Bangkok's last remaining green zones.

Those advocating that a green tract in Makkasan be developed as a commercial district argue that the land is too valuable to be turned into a public park. They say the profit potential of one of the last untouched plots downtown is the only criterion in the decision on its future.

They see no reason why the 400-rai property shouldn't be earmarked for more malls and skyscrapers. Leasing the land for a commercial project also suits its landlord, the State Railway of Thailand, which needs to pay off accumulated debts.

The plans for Makkasan come in the wake of large-scale deforestation in Thailand, done mostly in the name of development. Our country is now considered the least green in Southeast Asia. The problem is worst in the capital, where there is only 3.3 square metres of green space per person, compared to an average of 39sqm in other cities across Asia. Bangkokians thus have 10 times less green space than is standard in the region's urban areas.

In a nutshell, one rai of large mature trees produces enough oxygen for 10 people. So to breath good-quality air, Bangkok's 10 million residents need 100,000 rai of treed land. Currently the city has just 19,000.

The Makkasan Network, a civic group that is campaigning to have Makkasan turned into a community project and green zone might seem like a "dinosaur" to developers, but this group is certainly not "anti-development". Turning the vast property into a park with a museum is, in fact, development of a valuable and sustainable sort.

Commercial interests are blind to this argument because their bottom line is financial profit for the few, not open spaces and quality air for all.

The Makkasan Network is now inviting specialists in various fields to pool efforts and make the community project happen. If it succeeds, Bangkok will get a new public park along with a library, botanical garden, running track and museum.

Critics claim that this plan would squander tax money on "pampering" Bangkokians. The issue of providing public green space is too important to be politicised in this way. Almost one in seven Thais resides in Bangkok. Providing them with safe, unpolluted recreational spaces would save on public-healthcare spending for generations to come.

A greener capital would also attract more tourists. Singapore has little land compared to Thailand, but its government has chosen to retain a far higher proportion of green space. Thanks to the vision of its late leader Lee Kuan Yew, the country can now boast of being one of the greenest in the region.

The debate over Makkasan comes down to a simple question: What do we want to pass on to the next generation - another high-rise shopping district or a "green lung" for our city?

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/A-shopping-complex-or-a-green-lung-30259964.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-13

[BSJ]

How is it the State Railway has so much land?

[Bluespunk]

Green lung, yes.

Another utterly unnecessary development, no.

[arthurboy]

Too be fair, there is a woeful lack of shopping malls, hotels etc. in Bangkok...

I can already see the SRT and potential developer executives looking overseas for their next offshore account...

[ratcatcher]

How is it the State Railway has so much land?

Because 100 years ago, land was easily available and SRT was granted easements and areas for locomotive and repair shops all over Siam..

Railways in N.America also own large tracts of land. Nobody thought of air conditioned malls in those days.

Imagine if the mayor of New York said Central Park was to be turned into "up-market" housing and shopping malls, or the London council announced Hyde Park and Regents Park were to be paved over and developed. You'd never hear the end of it.

A massive city like Bangkok with so few green spaces (Lumpini, Chatuchak) really needs an area like Makkasan to stay semi natural.

Through sheer neglect hundreds of rai are dotted with rusting old railway equipment. But, no doubt greed will prevail and a lucky few developers will cash in on this last wilderness in Bangkok.

The lungs.

Edited May 13, 2015 by ratcatcher

[trogers]

When this tract of green is paved over, the flooding of Dindaeng to Nana/Asoke would be complete.

Concrete is not permeable compared with earth and grass.

[kingalfred]

A Concrete Jungle is Bangkok.

Until it all collapses.

Edited May 13, 2015 by kingalfred

[whatawonderfulday]

A Concrete Jungle is Bangkok.

Until it all collapses.

Actually it is sinking

[IMA_FARANG]

Make it into a park with trees..... as a park..... and allow free access for the public.

include a food park area with local stalls .....it works for Singapore..... and if done well could be a tourist draw right in the center of Bangkok.

A "Green Haven" area in the center of Bangkok.

Just don't let foreign "investors" be involved.

Call it the "King's Park" and put the land under Royal control....... owned and run as a Royal project by a Royal commission under Royal

control.

[oneday]

"...Our country is now considered the least green in Southeast Asia..."

Why does this not surprise me? Could it be because there is total apathy towards protecting and saving lives in this country.

[razer]

Why do Thais hate trees and green areas?

[bangon04]

Make it into a park with trees..... as a park..... and allow free access for the public.

include a food park area with local stalls .....it works for Singapore..... and if done well could be a tourist draw right in the center of Bangkok.

A "Green Haven" area in the center of Bangkok.

Just don't let foreign "investors" be involved.

Call it the "King's Park" and put the land under Royal control....... owned and run as a Royal project by a Royal commission under Royal

control.

Yes - declare it a Royal park. Not only will it be protected from another shopping mall with the same brand name outlets in the same order with the same empty shops and shop staff playing on their smart phones waiting for their one customer of the day..... but it will also be protected from litter and vandalism. Royal land is the only land (most) Thais respect.

[buhi]

There is already a King's Park in Bangkok and a beautiful place it is too. I live next to it.

Suan Luang in Prawet district.

Edited May 13, 2015 by buhi

[trogers]

There is already a King's Park in Bangkok and a beautiful place it is too. I live next to it.

Suan Luang in Prawet district.

That's on the outskirts, not CBD.

I am more concern on the drainage of rainwater. A 50,000 sqm area of paved surface would mean collecting 5,000 cu. metres of water when it rains 4 inches.

Edited May 13, 2015 by trogers

[dageurreotype]

Why do Thais hate trees and green areas?

They don't. Some Thais, the minority with money to burn want to make more of it by building ever more money generating malls. They give not a stuff for the quality of life of their fellow Thais. They are a very selfish people. According to my Thai professor neighbour.

Edited May 13, 2015 by dageurreotype

[Bluespunk]

There is already a King's Park in Bangkok and a beautiful place it is too. I live next to it.

Suan Luang in Prawet district.

Great place to run in the mornings.

[Yunla]

Parks are profitable too, they help to attract visitors and investors in the surrounding areas. And parks help to keep the local working population healthy and contented, which increases their overall productivity levels.

[richard_smith237]

The figures don't make much sense...

Bangkok is Approx: 1569 sq KM / 980,625 Rai

Population: Central Bangkok 8 Million People

As the article quoted: 1 Rai Produces sufficient Oxygen for 10 people...

The 1:10 ratio for Central Bangkok would require 800,000 Rai of 'forested land'..... nearly 80% of the city...

No City has this - Bangkok would be a greater city for its inhabitants to live in if Park Land was increased. But there is so much more to 'air-quality' than just trees...

Weather (prevailing winds), traffic fumes, factory fumes.... IMO the pollution issue in Bangkok is not related to the lack of Parks but other far more significant factors which need addressing (Factories, traffic etc).

That said: Bangkok has no need whatsoever for any more Condos, Shopping Malls. It does need a far more efficient road system which could aid the amount of time car's spend in their A-B journey. Perhaps some form of congestion charge would also help reduce inner city pollution and traffic.

[northernphil]

Why do Thais hate trees and green areas?

Most Thais dislike walking anywhere , have you seen them park outside a 7-eleven in the middle of the road rather than walk 20 metres ?

[trogers]

Why do Thais hate trees and green areas?

Most Thais dislike walking anywhere , have you seen them park outside a 7-eleven in the middle of the road rather than walk 20 metres ?

But pay an arm and leg for a fitness membership.

[Konaboy1]

color it gone.

[Thai at Heart]

Since when do Thais in cities plant trees? All I see is new moobhans with one token palm tree in a garden, and shopping centres and condos being built?

[trogers]

Since when do Thais in cities plant trees? All I see is new moobhans with one token palm tree in a garden, and shopping centres and condos being built?

Hey, don't criticize condos. They pass EIAs. Did you not notice those green leaves sprouting out of concrete?

[Jonmarleesco]

'Critics claim that this plan would squander tax money on "pampering" Bangkokians.' Really? Well, enough was spent by the last government in pampering rice farmers, who already have the luxury of breathing relatively untainted air. Since most of Thailand's tax-take is generated in Bangkok, Bangkokians have the right to decide how much of it is spent.

And realistically, just how many malls and high rises does Bangkok need?

[ourmanflint]

Make it into a park with trees..... as a park..... and allow free access for the public.

include a food park area with local stalls .....it works for Singapore..... and if done well could be a tourist draw right in the center of Bangkok.

A "Green Haven" area in the center of Bangkok.

Just don't let foreign "investors" be involved.

Call it the "King's Park" and put the land under Royal control....... owned and run as a Royal project by a Royal commission under Royal

control.

managed to get a tour of the Makkasan site a couple of years ago, I think it would make a great park.

[MaiChai]

Urban planning comes to mind; unfortunately its corrupted in Thailand, like everything else.

Lived in Bangkok 10 years on and off, and was really glad to leave. Not much else to do than shop. Very few green areas, so much pollution and noise.

[dageurreotype]

Parks are profitable too, they help to attract visitors and investors in the surrounding areas. And parks help to keep the local working population healthy and contented, which increases their overall productivity levels.

This true. There are EIGHT Royal Parks in London, supplemented by many smaller local parks/garden squares. And London is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. However, the English PLAN.

[trogers]

Parks are profitable too, they help to attract visitors and investors in the surrounding areas. And parks help to keep the local working population healthy and contented, which increases their overall productivity levels.

This true. There are EIGHT Royal Parks in London, supplemented by many smaller local parks/garden squares. And London is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. However, the English PLAN.

Locals here plan too,... When shit hits the fan...

[bangon04]

Make it into a park with trees..... as a park..... and allow free access for the public.

include a food park area with local stalls .....it works for Singapore..... and if done well could be a tourist draw right in the center of Bangkok.

A "Green Haven" area in the center of Bangkok.

Just don't let foreign "investors" be involved.

Call it the "King's Park" and put the land under Royal control....... owned and run as a Royal project by a Royal commission under Royal

control.

managed to get a tour of the Makkasan site a couple of years ago, I think it would make a great park.

makkasan.jpg

wow - the locomotive preservation nerds will be creaming themselves over the possibilities offered.....

[trogers]

Make it into a park with trees..... as a park..... and allow free access for the public.

include a food park area with local stalls .....it works for Singapore..... and if done well could be a tourist draw right in the center of Bangkok.

A "Green Haven" area in the center of Bangkok.

Just don't let foreign "investors" be involved.

Call it the "King's Park" and put the land under Royal control....... owned and run as a Royal project by a Royal commission under Royal

control.

managed to get a tour of the Makkasan site a couple of years ago, I think it would make a great park.

makkasan.jpg

wow - the locomotive preservation nerds will be creaming themselves over the possibilities offered.....

Wouldn't be surprised that these rusting stocks still carry full book value...