BMA’s Klong Phadung Krung Kasem boat service is now ready for budget approval

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BMA’s Klong Phadung Krung Kasem boat service is now ready for budget approval

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is ready to propose the deputy prime minister for approval of its 345 million baht project to open boat service in Klong Phadung Krung Kasem canal after having completed a detailed study of the service as earlier suggested by the prime minister.

 

The study was undertaken by the BMA’s Traffic and Transportation Department (TTD).

 

TTD director Thaweesak Lertpraphan said the BMA executive will seek approval for a 345 million baht budget to run the service full-time when they meet Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong and transport officials soon.

 

If the project gets his say,  it will take about 11 months to get off the ground, he said.

 

Under the TTD study, it will order six new flat-bottomed boats at 20 million baht, improve and dredge the canal at 40 million baht, boat service management cost for seven years at 70 million baht.

 

The major cost of 245 million baht will be used for improvement of small piers, build a new pier at Thewet, and landscaping which includes installing lighting system along both sides of the five kilometer section of the canal and building a bike lane parallel to the canal.

 

He said since there are many bridges across the canal, flat-bottomed boats will be more appropriate.

 

The fibre boats will have adjustable roofs in case they pass under low bridges,  passenger seats and other safety equipment.

The TTD has now designed a boat which can accommodate up to 20 passengers, he said.

 

He said now the BMA is building Thewet pier at Wat Thewarat Kunchorn temple, where passengers can transit to Chao Phraya express boats.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bmas-klong-phadung-krung-kasem-boat-service-now-ready-budget-approval/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-08-17

[Cuchulainn]

Let's hope it is a vast improvement on the ancient, slip-shod and downright dangerous service on the Klong Saen Saep.

[newcomer71]

9 minutes ago, Cuchulainn said:

Let's hope it is a vast improvement on the ancient, slip-shod and downright dangerous service on the Klong Saen Saep.

 

I agree. The service on Klong Saen Saep is getting worse by the days, let's hope this service (if ever will be authorized) will be modern and efficient. 

BTW... 245 millions??? 

[ourmanflint]

I really don't see the point of this venture. The Khlong is hardly long enough to warrant a boat service, or is just for tourists?

[Nigel Farang]

I used this boat last month when I was in BKK. It was free to use -  they seemed to be running it as a trial -  staff with clipboards on board keeping statistics. The piers were all newly built  - some of them boasting wheelchair accessibility.