Underground car park planned near palace

The Crown Property Bureau (CPB) is building a car park under Nagaraphirom Park in Phra Nakhon district to help ease chronic traffic congestion in the Rattakosin area.

Oranuch Im-Arrom, of the CPB’s Conservation Project Division, said yesterday that plans had been agreed after a meeting with the Bureau of the Royal Household, in which the CPB said the car park could be a way to tackle the traffic problem that has plagued the area for decades.

The stone-laying ceremony for construction will be held on Oct 10, Ms Oranut said, adding the work is expected to begin in November and the project is expected to be complete by December 2018.

The car park will be operated by Siam Sindhorn Co, an affiliated company of the CPB.

Speaking at a media briefing, Ms Oranuch said the bureau also urged City Hall to improve the landscape around the park to make it attractive.

According to the CPB, the underground car park will occupy around 7.5 rai under Nagaraphirom Park and requires a budget of 800 million baht.

One of the main tourist attractions in Phra Nakhon district is the Grand Palace, which draws many tourists and locals alike. Ms Oranut said tourist vehicles regularly cause traffic snarl-ups and block the view of the Grand Palace as well as other landmarks.

According to engineer Anon Chamchuanwong, the car park will have three levels. It is expected to accommodate around 700 cars and tourist vans.

On the ground level there would be a wide bicycle parking area, an elevator entrance, a music pavilion, a reception hall for ceremonies, a light and sound control building, and toilets.

Five old buildings on t he site would be redeveloped as a museum for the khon traditional masked dance.