BMA mulls re-planning Bangkok

BANGKOK, December 15 (TNA) - Seniors city planners and representatives from all sectors in Bangkok Thursday joined a seminar, organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA, to discuss a master plan on redesigning the Thai capital. Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaiboon said when opening the seminar that the forum was aimed to promote public participation and involvement in hand-on operations to make Bangkok a lively and sightly city and to become a historic city, in line with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's advice. Pornthep acknowledged that to realize these goals, the BMA has developed the master plan, under which the capital's landscape of roadways, public spaces and historic areas will be further upgraded, and that Inner Ratchdapisek Ring Road and Khlong Khu Muang Doem have been identified as suitable pilot areas for the master plan. According to the deputy Bangkok governor, the re-planning of the Thai capital needs to take possible future floods and other relevant aspects, like road elevations, as well as constructions of floodWays and reservoirs, into account, with details to be discussed next year. Meanwhile, Sumet Tantivejkul, Secretary-General to the Chaipattana Foundation said His Majesty the King has advised that the city planning focus on environmental conservation and simplicity, meaning the re-planning of the Thai capital should make the best use of the city’s resources for its sustainable development and growth. (TNA)