In the picturesque province of Nonthaburi, a recent unsettling development has captured the attention and concern of locals—a charming canal-side walkway has turned into a treacherous journey. This once beloved path, nestled alongside Khlong Bang Krasor, no longer offers a peaceful stroll but rather a perilous ordeal, especially for students, elderly residents, and those bound to their beds. The culprit? A frightening tilt and subsidence initiated by a seismic jolt on March 28, which has only worsened with recent torrential rains.
Perilously close to the Chao Phraya River, some 300 meters from its mouth, lies a concrete embankment that should be a guardian against the water’s persistent attempts at conquest. But instead of standing in stalwart defense, this 80-centimeter-wide structure now bows at a precarious 45-degree angle, resembling a melted candle more than a solid path. Cracks snake their way across the surface, and the subsidence has dipped the earth beneath it by a disconcerting 80 centimeters, leaving light poles leaning as if they, too, are desperately trying to hold onto their balance.
Among those raising the alarm is local resident Saisunee Koetnak, who has borne witness to the walkway’s slow and steady decline over several days, recently accelerated by heavy showers on May 17. The cracks that mar the embankment are visible testaments to the deteriorating situation, their presence growing more pronounced with each drop of rain. It’s a worrying sight for anyone, but especially anxiety-inducing for the elderly and bedridden individuals who navigate this corridor daily.
Yet, for all the attention it’s drawn, the core question stubbornly remains unanswered: what exactly lies behind the embankment’s dramatic descent? Saisunee and her neighbors are left scratching their heads, unaware if support piles once fortified this failing structure.
The president of the Wat Noi Nok community, Saisunee Songkhananakh, has been vocal about the embankment’s plight post-earthquake. Initially, the tilt barely registered, causing little more than passing worry. However, in the face of relentless rainfall over the past few days, the incline has magnified, making avoidance a matter of safety rather than mere inconvenience.
Amarin Kitchatham, the acting director of the Public Works Division for Nonthaburi Municipality, has begun to unravel this conundrum. An engineering assessment has demarcated a subsidence zone sprawling approximately 30 meters, a gaping anomaly needing urgent attention. To assuage fears and preempt disaster, the municipality is staging a tactical response: engineers will consult with contractors to unearth the underlying causes. Meanwhile, signs boldly declaring the path dangerous flutter in the breeze, warding off unsuspecting walkers.
Plans are in motion to collaborate with the local temple, opening up an alternative route for the worried populace. This temporary detour is not just a stopgap measure but a community’s resolve to maintain connectivity amid natural adversities.
Even as this chronicles as a chapter in Nonthaburi’s community lore, it also serves as a stirring reminder of how nature can nudge us into reevaluating our infrastructure, urging a more harmonious coexistence. With vigilance, cooperation, and a dash of engineering prowess, the residents of Nonthaburi look to reshape this perilous narrative into one of resilience and recovery.
This is a huge failure of city planning! How could they let things get this bad?
It seems like everyone dropped the ball here, but Mother Nature does throw curveballs.
True, but isn’t it their job to anticipate these kinds of events?
Plan as much as they want, nature always finds a way to surprise us. It’s about how they respond now.
I wonder if climate change is to blame here. More frequent and intense weather events seem to be the new norm.
Let’s not jump to conclusions without evidence. Earthquakes and rain have been around forever.
Science supports that climate shifts are intensifying weather patterns. Time to wake up!
I’ve seen these changes myself over the years. It’s not just random!
Back in my day, structures were built to last. What’s changed?
Materials, methods, and the sheer pace of urban expansion, Tom.
This walkway is basically a death trap now! How are my kids supposed to get to school safely?
Exactly, why hasn’t the municipality already done something?
Rest assured, we’re prioritizing safety with immediate measures and alternative routes.
I pass by that walkway every morning. It’s eerie how fast things changed. I hope the new route is reliable.
Nonthaburi has always had a tricky relationship with its canals and rivers. This isn’t unprecedented.
Well, historical context aside, what’s the solution today?
This walkway has inspired so much art and poetry, it’s sad to see it like this now.
Perhaps it’s an opportunity to create new art from adversity.
It’s been disheartening watching the path deteriorate day by day.
Your vigilance is crucial. Community voices need to be heard.
I’m curious about the embankment’s original design. Proper groundwork should prevent such subsidence.
The problem often lies in shortcuts and budget cuts that compromise structural integrity.
We have to walk extra 15 minutes to school now, it’s tiring!
The canal is a symbol of our heritage. This calls for a respectful redesign.
Making it to the hospital is a nightmare now. Can we focus on accessible routes?
Accessible infrastructure is key. It should be prioritized in the redevelopment.
Shoutouts to everyone working hard to fix this mess. Stay strong, community!