B5bn for Nonthaburi riverbank revamp

The Transport Ministry will spend over 5 billion baht turning a riverbank in Nonthaburi into a series of recreational areas while also making structural changes to help it fight flooding, according to Chaiwat Thongkhamkoon, the transport permanent secretary.

The riverbank in question stretches from Nonthaburi pier to Rama V Bridge via the Maha Chesadabodindranusorn Bridge in Nonthaburi’s Muang district.

The project involves re-landscaping

waterfront land adjacent to Nonthaburi town hall with public access along the flood barrier, which will be reinforced to to help counter inundation, Mr Chaiwat said.

Roads leading to the area will be improved for better access and a recreation centre is scheduled to be built along with small bridges linking riverside communities, he added.

The permanent secretary said the project would cost about 5.1 billion baht.

The project is part of a wider policy to give the public more access to riverside areas in Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Pathum

Thani and Samut Prakan.

The opening-up of such areas will see more bicycles introduced as an environmentally friendly means of getting around.

Mr Chaiwat said tourists visiting the areas could stimulate the local economy.

The scheme comes amid mounting opposition to a 14-billion-baht Chao Phraya riverside promenade in the capital, consisting of a walkway, bicycle lane and flood wall.

The Bangkok-based Friends of the River group fears it will damage the river’s ecology and cultural landscape.