Public hearing set for Thailand's Chao Phraya riverbank improvement

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) - Two universities will organise a public hearing next week on a project to improve the banks of Thailand's main Chao Phraya River, stretching 57 kilometers long in Bangkok. Academics of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Khon Kaen University have jointly set the public hearing at SD Avenue Hotel in Bangkok's Pinklao area on April 22. The two universities will present improvement ideas in June and report results of relevant studies in September. Associated Professor Dr. Sakul Hovanotayan, the project manager, told journalists that the project covers the banks of the Chao Phraya River from Rama VII Bridge to Bang Na area and it concerns architectural and engineering improvement, as well as new lanes for walking and cycling. The senior academic revealed that his working group has studied satellite photos, as well as hydraulic and environmental impacts to support project planning. Assistant Professor Dr. Antika Sawadsri, spokesperson of the project, also told reporters that the working group has already met leaders in more than 30 communities along the Chao Phraya River in four districts, namely Bang Phlat, Bang Sue, Dusit and Phra Nakhon, to present the concept of the project and gather feedbacks, which showed that most local residents feared that the project would affect their normal ways of life; so, the working group, district officials and local residents have agreed to form a sub-committee to let locals have their say. (TNA)