It was revealed earlier this week that the “Chao Phraya for All” project will cut by half the originally planned 14-kilometres long above-river promenade with separated riverside open spaces. The latest meeting of the committee concluded that the original plan for the Chao Phraya Riverside Promenade project would have too many negative impacts on the river and the historic sites along it, said Atchaphon Dusitnanon, a committee member and also chairman of the Association of Siamese Architects. At the recent meeting, Prawit suggested that the proposed area of the project be downsized to avoid negative impacts on the |historic areas of Rattanakosin Island. According to an earlier report, the original Chao Phraya Riverside promenade plan would have affected at least 36 piers, 29 riverside communities, 19 landmarks, eight religious places, eight official agencies’ offices, eight schools and six restaurants. As per the latest BMA update, the first phase of the Chao Phraya Riverside Promenade project was divided into four contracts with a total budget of Bt8.362 billion, of which the Cabinet had so far approved Bt495 million.

Source: The Nation Bangkok April 20, 2018 21:56 UTC