Transport ministry to build underground parking areas

BANGKOK, Sept 3 (TNA) -- Thailand's Ministry of Transport has coordinated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) on the construction of four new underground parking sites at Rattanakosin island, creating 1,400 more parking spaces to cater to tourist and personal vehicles. Transport Permanent Secretary Chartchai Tipsunave said after a meeting to seek measures to solve traffic and logistics problems in Bangkok and its peripheral areas, that talks with concerned agencies found that the main problems on Rattanakosin island is traffic congestion and lack of parking spaces, as the area is also a location for many governmental offices. He said the Transport Ministry has then held further talks with the BMA and OTP in order for a study to be carried out on the construction of underground parking sites on Rattanokosin island. A basic summary showed that the parking sites should be constructed at four main locations - Romaneenart Park, Royal Thai Navy Club , Jor Por Ror intersection and Royal Turf Club of Thailand which could be able to cater to as high as 1,400 vehicles. He said that the Romaneenart Park, a five-rai plot is available and it would be used to build parking spaces for personal vehicles only. At the Royal Thai Navy Club on Maharat Road, there is an eight-rai plot that could accommodate two floors of underground parking for visitors to the Grand Palace. Tour coaches could be parked at ground level and private vehicles underground, Mr Chartchai said. The third area stretches from the Jor Por Ror intersection to the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal. Underground parking there could serve visitors to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and local government offices. The parking space could also be use for personal cars. The other location is at the Royal Turf Club of Thailand. (TNA)