The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and Bangkok community representatives made headlines on Friday when they gathered at City Hall to hand a letter to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Their mission: to oppose the new city planning blueprint proposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The photograph captured by Supoj Wancharoen bears witness to this defining moment.
TCC secretary-general Saree Aungsomwang, alongside over 100 representatives from 28 Bangkok communities, voiced contentions against the draft plan. “This blueprint and its corresponding public hearings violate the City Planning Act,” claimed Ms. Saree. According to her, the Act mandates that any city planning efforts must consider the potential impact on citizens, ensuring they are fully informed of any measures designed to mitigate these effects.
Furthermore, Ms. Saree pointed out, the blueprint does not adhere to Section 72 of the constitution. This section clearly states that town planning should align with the needs of local residents. However, she believes this new plan disproportionately focuses on urban development while stubbornly turning a blind eye to traffic issues, flooding crises, and the ever-looming specter of PM2.5 pollution.
Moreover, the proposed blueprint appears to neglect measures that could improve the quality of life for many residents, especially those with lower incomes. Ms. Saree brought attention to an earlier 2019 blueprint, which has ostensibly been informing the public hearings for the new iteration since 2017. Yet, these hearings have been marred by scant public participation, legally mandated though it is.
Remarkably, over the course of seven years, only about 20,000 people have partaken in these hearings. Even in those instances, participants were given minimal time to voice their concerns or pose questions. Ms. Saree emphasized the confusion that will likely ensue from vague information regarding plans to expand various roads in Bangkok under the new blueprint.
She made a bold declaration, urging the BMA to halt its current public hearing process immediately. “The BMA must stop its ongoing public hearing process and begin a new and more comprehensive one. If the BMA fails to stop the hearings within 30 days, the TCC and its networks will take the matter to the Administrative Court,” she warned.
On the other hand, Thaiwut Khankaew, the director of the BMA’s City Planning and Urban Development Department, defended the administration’s efforts. He mentioned that public hearings already occurred in 42 districts across Bangkok. The remaining eight districts are scheduled to complete their hearings by next month. According to Mr. Thaiwut, all gathered feedback will help shape the new city planning blueprint, which is slated for submission to the city planning committee by November.
The clock is ticking as both sides brace for what could be a significant decision impacting the future of Bangkok’s urban landscape. Will the BMA heed the TCC’s call for a more inclusive and transparent approach, or will the matter end up adding another layer to Thailand’s already complex legal terrain?
Finally, someone is standing up to the BMA! City planning should not ignore public concerns.
Agreed, a vibrant city like Bangkok needs proper public involvement. We can’t just focus on urban development and forget the residents!
But is it realistic to take input from everyone? It would slow down our progress!
Slowing down is better than making damaging progress. People’s lives are at stake here.
Another day, another protest. At some point, we need to trust the experts.
Experts can be biased too! Public input ensures balance.
True, but public input without expertise can lead to chaos.
The situation calls for a middle ground. Let’s not swing to either extreme.
What baffles me is how little time they give for public hearings. 20,000 participants over seven years is a laughable number!
They don’t want real participation; it’s all for show.
Exactly! We need more genuine efforts to include the public.
And what about the pollution? It’s already unbearable. Ignoring this is a crime against humanity.
Pollution will always be a problem in big cities, but this blueprint isn’t ignoring it entirely.
Not entirely, but not enough. We suffer every day from the smog.
I don’t trust that the new hearings will be any better. Wasting time and resources.
Why is it every government plan seems to overlook the poor? It’s infuriating.
This is systemic. Policies often favor the wealthy.
We need inclusive zoning laws and affordable housing initiatives.
Traffic is horrendous as it is. The blueprint should address this more seriously.
Couldn’t agree more! Road expansions usually lead to more congestion, not less.
A proper public transport system would help. Imagine a Bangkok with fewer cars!
Flooding has been an issue forever. Ignoring it in the new blueprint is a terrible oversight.
Tell that to the residents of Don Muang. They suffer first!
So much drama over a city plan. Isn’t there more important stuff to worry about?
City planning determines our quality of life. It is vital!
But it’s not life or death. We have other pressing issues like health and education.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration needs to be more transparent.
Why wasn’t Section 72 of the constitution adhered to? This is a significant legal failing.
Public hearings are a joke. They already have their minds made up.
Feeling cynical today?
Repair the sidewalks and make the city more walkable! Enough with fancy plans.
Basic infrastructure improvements are often overlooked. Sad but true.
The clock is ticking, and I hope the Administrative Court intervenes.