In a new move to revamp land use in Bangkok, the government has announced plans to reclaim areas of what is has described as misappropriated land along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and related agencies to survey houses and other constructions that have encroached on parts of both banks of the Chao Phraya River and along the canals.
Residents living in the areas of illegal encroachment will be requested to relocate. The BMA has been assigned to offer them new land plots at affordable prices. The reclaimed land will be developed for public use.
Related agencies have been tasked with clarifying the objectives of the land reclamation.
According to a survey by the Marine Department, constructions which protrude into the river and canals across the capital city number 2,034, most of which are piers, pipes, barrages and bridges.
