Communities in Phaya Thai and Samsen districts oppose expressway project

Residents of several communities in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai and Samsen districts have voiced their opposition to the second-stage Ngam Wong Wan-Rama 9 expressway project, claiming that it will affect their communities, livelihoods and bring dust and noise pollution.

Leaders of the Wat Makok, Boonchusri and Suksawat communities took members of the Senate committee on urban development, public participation, human rights and consumer protection on a field inspection of the proposed 20km route of the elevated expressway.

Leaders of the protesting residents have questioned how the Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) report has been approved when most residents in the communities are against the project, which it is estimated will cost about 38 billion baht to construct.

Sunthorn Prueksaphiphat, chairman of the Senate consumer protection subcommittee said the project is currently being considered by the Public-Private Partnership Policy Committee before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

He said that those in charge of the project should learn a lesson from the Rama 2 elevated expressway, which is burdened by numerous problems, repeated delays and accidents, resulting in loss of life and financial damage.

Sunthorn also noted that, if the project is completed, a private sector entity would be granted the concession to operate the expressway for as long as 22 years.

The Council of Consumers, meanwhile, said that the expressway project will not help to reduce traffic congestion in the city.