Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is preparing to submit proposals for the development of existing and new canal routes in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in Bangkok. The promotion of passenger boat transportation as a workable solution to the city’s infamous traffic problems serves as the foundation for these Bangkok waterways proposals.
Regarding the specifics of the proposed Bangkok waterways, Punya Chupanit, director of the OTP, said that the OTP is now conducting a feasibility study to determine future maritime transit development in Bangkok and its neighboring provinces, with an anticipated completion date of 2032.
The main goal is to significantly expand canal routes, from a total of 131.2 km to a mind-boggling 196.6 km. Transparent visibility for budgetary allocation is roughly 9.32 billion baht, and the Transport Ministry will be asked to approve it.A key component of the proposal is the allocation of 1.32 billion baht for the improvement of the 65.4 kilometer-long current waterways channels in Bangkok.
There is potential for the building of piers and facilities along these routes, which are mostly along the Chao Phraya River, Phadung Krung Kasem, and Prawet Buri Rom canals. Equally significant is the budget’s remaining investment for the construction of four additional canal lines, which will take place between this year and 2027.Notably, the Sai Mai-Phra Khanong segment on the Lat Phrao Canal is the focal point of the first Bangkok waterways project. The route, which is expected to be 25.7 kilometers long and contain 23 piers, is expected to cost 1.44 billion baht. Additionally, a large finance commitment of roughly 3.24 billion Thai Baht is anticipated for the construction of the Saen Saep Canal route, which is divided into three separate portions.
The initial portion of the Saen Saep Canal path, measuring 12 kilometers and connecting Wat Si Bunrueang to Suwinthawong Road, would contain 16 piers and take three years to complete from the time work began.
The second leg, which connects Phan Pha Lilat Bridge and Wat Si Bunrueang, will be 17.3 kilometers long and have 28 piers.
The third phase of the Bangkok waterways, which is also the shortest, will cover a 1.5-kilometer stretch from Phan Pha Lilat Bridge to Phra Sumen Fort. OTP expresses assurance that extended passenger boat services along the Saen Saep Canal route would be completed by 2027.
Further investigation of the OTP’s Bangkok waterways concept reveals designs for two further lines. The third route, an expansion of the Mahasawat-Bangkok Noi canals, will add 18 piers for boat passengers and 17.1 kilometers of waterways connecting Pratu Nam Chimphli to Sirirat Hospital at an estimated cost of 397.53 million baht.
According to Bangkok Post, the Mahasawat Canal would serve as the fourth route, which will cover a distance of 28 kilometers and connect Pratu Nam Mahasawat and Wat Chaiyaphrueksamal via 13 piers.
Punya also outlined the office’s long-term plans for the development of boat services to people of Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, which will take place from 2028 to 2032. Three project routes that connect Wat Rangsit in Pathum Thani to the Bang Sue neighborhood in Bangkok and run along the Chao Phraya River from Pak Kret pier in Nonthaburi to Muang district in Pathum Thani will require an estimated budget of roughly 2.69 billion baht.
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