Is river project for everyone?

The Chao Phraya promenade, a 14-kilometre walkway and bike route on the banks of the river that is dubbed the artery of the nation is to face yet another hurdle. Yesterday, River Assembly civic groups comprising scholars and activists who are concerned about adverse impacts on the river’s ecology and landscape filed a complaint with the Administrative Court in the hope that the 14-billion baht project will be scrapped. They took the case to court as they feel their concerns over the potential impact haven’t received attention from the state. The court accepted the case, and will go through a 3,000-page accompanying report before deciding if there are grounds for further proceedings.

The project, known as “Chao Phraya For All”, was announced in 2014 when the military regime took over the country’s administration. It instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to take charge. In its initial stage, it will comprise a 7km walkway and bike route on both sides of the river, from Rama VII to Pin Klao bridges.

It is divided into four sections. It is understood the BMA wants to kick off the construction of the first, stretching 2.99km, from Rama VII Bridge to the Irrigation Department in Sam Sen area, and the second section, about 3.5km long in the Bang Plat area on the opposite side of the river. The budget for the two sections is 3.7 billion baht. There are reports that after the first 14km stretch, the promenade will expand to cover 57km in total through Bangkok.

The BMA last year booted out several riverside communities in order to go ahead with the project despite fierce criticism.

Initially, the regime wanted speedy delivery, with construction contracts and procurement being completed by end of this year. Yet, strong opposition from civic groups has caused delays. The BMA reset the date for the contract signing to May next year. But now that the case is in court, the delay has been extended.

Concerns over the physical impact of the project is one thing; the gigantic foundations will affect the river flow, and lead to subsequent ecological changes. But the matter has got worse as the BMA had ignored critics’ opinions.

Over past years there have been complaints about a lack of transparency. Critics alleged that what was presented as public hearings were only ceremonial, designed to push the project over the start line. Even cyclists are not happy with the project.

In fact, the way the BMA has handled the controversial river project, as well as several others, indicates the agency’s working culture is top-down, without room for public consultation. Critics say they are disappointed that the BMA ignored their calls to make the project plans public.

One opponent told the media: “The government has kept the details under wraps. It is limiting the public’s access to information regarding the project even though it would affect local people’s livelihoods, culture and the environment.”

The promenade case indicates that the BMA has no intention of taking into account different ideas.

In a bid to defend the project, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang insists that the project will go ahead as the process “is transparent”. He also claimed that the agency already received a 10-billion-baht budget from the government.

It now has to wait for the court to decide if the three-year effort to push the project, with a 120 million baht paid for a feasibility study, will be a waste.

This may have been prevented if the BMA learnt to listen. The agency should know that if it is to implement this project, it must heed the mantra “Chao Phraya For All”. The name suggests that the river belongs to Thais. Not the regime. Not the BMA. The budget is from taxpayers’ money.

The government has kept the details under wraps.