Academics, civic groups call for review of Bangkok riverside landmark project



BANGKOK: -- Several community act networks, environmentalist, academics, civic groups yesterday called for the government to review its 14-billion Chao Phraya riverside development project with question of why it has to be hastily implemented.

Besides they said the project lacks public participation and lacks details of how it is going to be executed.

The call for review was made at a joint press conference to criticise the project which was endorsed by the cabinet with a timetable of 18 months to finish, starting from January next year and end in July 2017.

They were from Green World Foundation, Siam Society, Icomos Thai and networks of communities along the river and from universities including Silpakorn, Thammasat and Kasetsart.

They did not oppose the project but voice concern over the huge concrete infrastructure of 19.5 metres wide with a height of 2.8 metres that will be built on both sides along a seven kilometre strip from Rama 7 bridge to Phra Pinklao bridge.

The project was approved by the Cabinet this month.

One academics, Khaisri Paksukcharoen, an assistant professor at Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Architecture, said they were not against the project but were concern of how the project was to be executed.

She said the project was endorsed in a hush hush manner without details and thorough study notably on the environment, culture and landscape of the riverbank and old communities.

She questioned why the project has to be hastily implemented adding once the project starts, it will damage the cultural landscape of the river permanently and will be beyond correction.

According to her, the project will affect at least 29 well-established communities, including eight government agency offices, eight schools and eight temples.

Another academics said the project did not undergo a proper impact assessment and a public hearing process.

They call for the review of the project with warning of legal action in the Administrative Court if the government ignores their movement and goes ahead with the project.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/academics-civic-groups-call-for-review-of-bangkok-riverside-landmark-project

-- Thai PBS 2015-05-22

"..........14 Billion Baht Chao Phraya riverside development project with question of why it has to be hastily implemented."

I think the clue is in the question.......................

Also why is the riverside development project a much higher priority than the flood control infrastructure needed in and around Bangkok and its suburbs?

If the project starts as scheduled, these cabinet members who are elected appointed representatives of the voters will be long gone when the project is done and dusted.

. . . concern over the huge concrete infrastructure of 19.5 metres wide with a height of 2.8 metres that will be built on both sides along a seven kilometre strip from Rama 7 bridge to Phra Pinklao bridge.

OK, you investigative reporters - which member of the Cabinet just happens to have a relative in the cement business?

all though i think its a good initiative i assume this government is doing everything hastily cause they know their time is limited..

14 billion?. that's peanuts. Take a look at the riverside project by Siam Piwat, started off as a 35 Billion bhat project announced in 2012 due to be completed in 2015, then in 2014 announced as a 50 billion bhat project due to be completed in 2017.

What happens when projects are rushed through. See link below:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/446805/court-orders-demolition-of-aetas-hotel

Of course the one above is only to do with one building, unlike this 14bn Bhat riverside project.

Also, the results of rushed projects are pretty grim to say the least. e.g. Brazilain FIFA World Cup 2014 preperations, Athens Summer Olympics 2004