Blueprint drafted for major park renovation

>>The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced its biggest ever revamp of Lumpini Park as part of the upcoming centennial celebrations.

Arom Wongmaha, director of Office of Public Parks, the Department of Environment, said the year-long renovation to start April next year is just the first phase of a major upgrade concerning park infrastructure.

It comprises nine projects ranging from drainage system work to lighting and electricity and improvement of jogging tracks and pavements.

The park’s drainage system needs to be fixed, she said. It has several different types of pipework which were used in renovation projects over the years, which has compromised the efficiency of the system in the 360rai park.

The asphalt jogging tracks which cover 24,116 square metres are also in a dilapidated state in several areas with uneven or cracked surfaces that can cause injuries to runners.

Ms Arom said the ageing asphalt will be removed and the running tracks repaved.

Underground power cables with a total length of 32,000 metres are also reaching their shelf life and will be replaced, while a total of 390 street lamps will be reinstalled with LED lights as part of energysaving measures.

Several pavilions including the Octagon Pavilion and Sala Bhirombhakdi will be refurbished and nine security booths rebuilt.

“Consider it as a big upgrade for the park and most work deals with infrastructure systems. No large trees will be felled to accommodate the work. The public doesn’t need to worry about that,” she said.

Ms Arom said park-goers can go about their businesses at the park throughout the renovation period.

“The park will remain open to the public for recreational use throughout the renovation. People can do all kinds of exercises here. But we won’t allow any events inside the park,” she said.

The Thai Red Cross Fair in November will be the park’s last event before the BMA clears the area for the handover of the land to contractors.