Civic group urges river project halt

A civic group has called on the prime minister to halt the controversial riverside promenade, arguing the project lacks public participation and will affect riverside residents.

Led by independent academic Paranee Sawasdirak and Yossapon Boonsom, the “River Assembly” filed a complaint with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, at the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission’s complaint centre.

The 14km pilot project, New Landmark of Thailand, which spans from Rama VII to Pinklao bridges, is part of a 57km project that runs through Bangkok.

City Hall has hired King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Khon Kaen University to conduct a feasibility study project for the promenade named the “Chao Phraya for All”.

Before handing over the letter, Ms Paranee spoke briefly to Col Katawut Kajornkittiyuth, head of the Government Strategic Information Centre, about the project’s limitations.

“If the project continues, it would inflict irreversible damage to the parties,” Ms Paranee said.

In the letter, the group demanded the government revise the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project, saying the intended objectives must be clearly stated.

They said the City Hall’s ToR involve several issues including design work, land use regulation and forced eviction plans.

Under the ToR, the project will construct a wide concrete promenade along the river, which suggests the river could be harmed, Mr Yossapon said.

The group also asked authorities to hold talks in which residents, academics and experts in social, cultural and environmental fields can take part in finding ways to revise the ToR.

The group also called on the government to allow locals and the public to get involved in every stage of the project including planning and setting policy for areas surrounding the river.