Green Peace
Bueng Krathiam embodies BMA plan to turn dangerous, derelict Bangkok wastelands into parks to promote health and wellness, writes Supoj Wancharoen
As Bangkok battles some of the worst traffic congestion and pollution levels in the world, the government is rushing to re-landscape parts of the city that have become derelict if not dangerous, turning wastelands riddled with drug users and thieves into safe havens and oases of green that families want to return to.
Bueng Krathiam, a green space featuring an expansive pond in Min Buri, is a case in point — and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is hailing it as a huge success.
Scorned for the putrid stench of its trashfilled pond, the area had fallen “off the grid” to such an extent that parents would warn their kids not to venture there for fear of being exposed to flashers, meth heads and pickpockets, locals say.
Even homeless people settled there reluctantly.
“This area used to create a climate of fear,” says Yos Sriwongchai, president of the Ram Intra Neramit Community, one of three neighbourhoods in the area.
“I remember one incident we had where a homeless man there took his pants off and flashed his private parts at women and kids,” he added, shaking his head. As a result, the area languished for decades as a veritable wasteland.
But the recent push to develop the landscape into a public park — one of many being created in the capital — has seen the area blossom. Mr Yos heralded this as a massive boon for the 7,000 residents living in three adjacent communities.
The project kicked off last May when the Khon Rak Min Buri Group, a local civic group, donated 4.5 million baht to the BMA to give this green swamp a second lease of life. Renovation work began in December.
The area in question covers 82 rai, 30 rai of which is a natural pond. Half a century ago it was all paddy fields and canals. People would travel there by boat. Its name derives from the local flora: Bueng Krathiam was traditionally flush with several forms of wild garlic ( krathiam).
“Everyone is thrilled with this transformation,” Mr Yos said.
“This represents a new chapter of development for the area, one that will improve local people’s quality of life. Bangkok residents also get a brand spanking new leisure area to play in.”
This time last year people were scared to walk past the pond after sunset, not knowing what hidden menaces lurked in the shadows.
Nowadays children and their grandparents happily stroll there of an evening, comforted by the recently added paved pathways and street lights.
The pond and its surrounding area also serve as a convenient shortcut to major roads such as Ram Intra and Seri Thai. This has caused locals to hail the renovation work as a mini-miracle after years of having their pleas unanswered by a government hamstrung due to budgetary concerns.
Some older residents contacted by the Bangkok Post said they would take a deliberate detour around the area out of concern for their personal safety.
This meant higher bus fares and longer travelling times — crosses they no longer have to bear.
But Mr Yos isn’t satisfied yet. He wants to see more improvement.
“We are talking about better standards in terms of what facilities are on offer here. Maybe we can get some better equipment
for the kids to play with,” he said.
“Kids want the kind of stuff you see in water parks,” he added.
His group is also pushing the local district to make the area safer still by fencing it off and installing CCTV cameras in bushes and other areas where they are not obtrusive, he said.
Local residents have requested the district build flood gates to help control the flow of water — something seen as urgent given the heavy rains that have battered Bangkok in recent months, flooding streets and homes.
Critics say the new park still has some glaring omissions compared to other landmarks in the capital.
For example, unlike Lumpini Park or King Rama IX Park, there are no security guards here. The water supply also requires further development.
Community residents have offered to help by giving their time and water.
On the plus side, they may soon get an 8km bicycle route, additional pathways and urban forest trails.
Sanom Chanaphai, who works for the BMA’s park division and is responsible for Bueng Krathiam, said the district plans to realise these initiatives soon.