Residents fear river promenade may narrow the Chao Phraya

However, the department assured yesterday that any projects encroaching on the river would need its permission to go ahead.

On Monday, it was reported that the department had prepared a proposal to amend its 63rd Regulation, to allow state agencies to build structures over the Chao Phraya for public use. 

The move is seen by critics as a bid to support the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Chao Phraya Landmark promenade project, which is the subject of a feasibility study by teams from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lat Krabang and Khon Kaen University.

Premhatai Chareonmitkul of the Friends of the River group said she worried that amending the regulation would cause legal problems in the future. If the department allowed building over the river it might interrupt water transport.

“The Marine Department is responsible for regulating the waterway and facilitating transport, but what they are doing is totally in conflict with their duties. Free permission to build any structure on the waterway would surely disrupt transport on the river,” Premhatai claimed.

She said the project would lead to legal conflicts, and agencies could use the opportunity to encroach on the waterway. “I think this is another lunatic effort of the government and BMA to push the controversial Chao Phraya Landmark promenade project by bypassing the law, which is totally wrong.”

Pichai Amphaichit, a riverside resident from Banpoon community in Bang Phlat district, expressed concern that if the department allows the promenade to be built, it would damage riverside communities as well as river transport. 

“I don’t know why the Marine Department came up with such a policy – or how the regulation amendment would create any benefit. I can only see that it facilitates the mega-project, which would have a huge impact on riverside communities and also cause a narrowing of the river,” Pichai said.

“A narrower river would make water transport more difficult and contribute to a greater chance of accidents, which could cost lives.”

Marine Department Engineering Bureau director Wanchai Bootthongdee said the regulation adjustment was only to allow state agencies to build over the waterway without need the for consent from owners of riverside land. But all projects would still need approval from the department. 

“It is nothing to worry about. The amendment proposal itself still has to be considered by the Cabinet and the Council of State before it can be enforced,” Wanchai said.