reader Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 From Bangkok Post The Marine Department is going to give facelifts to old ferry piers along a 35km stretch of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It will start with three piers on Sathon, Ratchawong and Tha Din Daeng. (Photos by Krit Promsaka na Sakolnakorn) Property development is transforming land near the Chao Phraya River but one thing remains unchanged: A series of decrepit piers that lie along it. The condition of these wharves, with their wooden piers and floating rafts, has not improved for decades. Only basic maintenance work to keep them safe for use has been provided from time to time. Boat passengers can now expect change, however, because the Marine Department is commissioning the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC) to redesign and upgrade the piers under a project called "Active River Station". Under the scheme, three will be redesigned. The design project will serve as a prototype for the Marine Department, which aims to develop the area around scores of others that it operates. The three in question are Sathon, Ratchawong and Tha Din Daeng -- the top three in terms of handling the highest number of passengers, Tansorn Pornpanyapat, who is managing the project, told the Bangkok Post in an exclusive interview. The piers are busy because "they serve as important connection points for boat passengers to transit to other modes of transport such as the BTS Skytrain, Bangkok's buses, taxi motorcycles and taxis", said Mr Tansorn. Sathon Pier records 20,000 passengers a day on average, 90% of whom use the Chao Phraya Express Boat. The rest use it for simple river crossings. According to the UDDC's preliminary design, each of the three piers will be divided into three zones. The first zone would be the surrounding area, the second would comprise passenger waiting areas, and the third is the platform where people board the boats. "Moreover, there won't be any hike in prices as the department is duty-bound to ensure the convenience and safety of passengers on the Chao Phraya," said Mr Tansorn. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/1490834/pier-ing-into-the-future-of-the-chao-phraya-river Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThailandChar Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 Price hikes are inevitable but lets hope they stay because i am interested in this area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
