BMA poised to adjust land development regulation

BANGKOK, February 8 (TNA) - Representatives of real estate agencies have proposed a change to the third amendment of the Greater Bangkok City Plan in a bid to promote more efficient use of land and reduce number of private cars in the Thai capital. The proposal was raised today at a joint session of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA and the representatives of real estate agencies, including the Thai Condominium Association, the Thai Real Estate Association and the Housing Business Association. Bangkok Deputy Govenor Teerachon Manomaiphibul told journalists after the meeting that the real estate developers claimed the revised city plan, requiring buildings with eight storeys or above to be 16-30 metres away from a road alignment, appears to be impractical, as such the requirement will likely reduce residency opportunities for a number of urban people and drive them out to suburbs. This will further increase the use of private cars in the capital, as a result. Teerachon said the BMA will forward the proposal to the Department of City Planning for further consideration, adding that it has, however, informed the representatives of real estate agencies that the construction of buildings along floodway alignments are not legally permitted. (TNA)