Tuk Tuk Boat on the River in #Bangkok

Have a strange affinity for three-wheeled transportation? Then you might enjoy the Tuk Tuk Boat.

This brand-new boat service is, essentially, a tricked-out yacht with a tuk tuk fashioned into the hull, complete with the classic blue-and-yellow color scheme and compact cabin for your “driver” (thankfully, the well-trained boat captain uses a wheel rather than handlebar controls).

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Up to 10 passengers can book private rides on this floating Frankenstein’s monster. One-hour journeys (B3,000) cruise up and down the Chao Phraya, but the hour-and-a-half (B4,000) and two-hour journeys (B5,500) enter some of the river’s most famous canals, going as far as Baan Silapin and the Taling Chan floating market (weekends only). Tell the captain where you want to go along the way, and he’ll take you there.

You can also craft your own route and rent by the hour. And if you want to refuel with beer or snacks, the captain can dock at Yodpiman, where you can pick up whatever your heart desires and use the loo while you’re at it.

This new experience can be booked through Klook, Airbnb or directly by calling 065-151-4599 or 064-778-6688. Guests can be picked up at several locations between Saphan Taksin and Wat Kalayanamit. 

Source - BK Daily

#Bangkok in danger of flooding unless old drainage improved, say academics.

BANGKOK will not be safe from the severe impact of major storms unless there is a huge improvement in the capital’s drainage system and canal network, academics have warned as more heavy rain is predicted for the capital.

A group of academics on water management, disaster prevention and city planning said at a public seminar at Chulalongkorn University yesterday that Bangkok’s drainage system was old, poorly maintained and unable to drain the water adequately, which increases the risk of Bangkok being severely flooded if another storm hits.

Thailand Global Warming Academy director Thanawat Charupongsakul said that Bangkok lacked the preparedness to cope with a storm. The widespread flooding in 55 areas of the city last Saturday showed that Bangkok could not withstand even a portion of the deluge and it took a day to drain the floodwater.

“It is not frequent for Bangkok to be directly hit by tropical storm, but the city is situated on the storm route and was hit directly several times in the past, such as in 1952 and 1983,” Thanawat said.

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He said that the precipitation within a six-hour period on Saturday night exceeded 214 millimetres and broke a 10-year record. 

If the rain was measured per hour, it was only 40 millimetres, which was within Bangkok’s drainage capacity, but it still flooded and showed the inability of the system to handle the volume, he said.

He warned that Bangkok will suffer badly from flooding if a storm hits the city directly with up to 300 millimetres of rain per hour.

“Bangkok’s sewage system is already more than 30 years old. It is suffering from a lack of maintenance, land sinking problems, and garbage and sediment clogging, which greatly reduce the drainage capacity,” Thanawat said.

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“Moreover, the construction of a floodwall along the Chao Phraya River also increases the water level in the river higher than the water level in the drainage system and canals, which makes the water drainage to the river hard and slow,” he said.

He also pointed out that the lack of separation between sewage from households and rainwater drainage also hinders drainage, because more than 10 million citizens in Bangkok release around 6 million cubic metres of wastewater into the system every day.

Terdkiat Sakkhamduang , the former chairman of Thai Urban Designers Association, suggested that Bangkok’s drainage system has to be entirely improved and the city plan also has to be revised.

Water pumps ready

“We have learned a lesson from the flaws in Bangkok’s city plan that prioritise too much in replacing canals with expanding the road network. We should learn from our past and restore the canals, as the canal network can drain water far better than the sewage system,” Terdkiat said.

Bangkok governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang warned yesterday that Bangkok would face more heavy rains overnight, which may be as severe as the downpour last Saturday. He said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had prepared for the downpour by getting the water pumps ready and lowering the water level in the canals.

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  Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda also affirmed that Bangkok residents should not be worried over the potential danger of flooding from northern run-offs, as the Royal Irrigation Department was in control of water in dams and 12 water-retention fields in upstream areas could absorb floodwater before it reached the capital. 

Chai Nat’s Chao Phraya Dam was currently receiving about 2,500 cubic metres of water per second, which was in balance with the level it released, he said.

Source - TheNation 

#Thailand - River to be secure for cremation of King Rama IX.

The Marine Department on Monday announced its preparedness to provide security and direct water traffic during the royal cremation ceremonies for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) at Sanam Luang in Bangkok from October 25-27.

A water security co-ordination centre will be set up to oversee the operation around the clock during the period. 

Some 180 officers on 10 patrol boats would provide security in the Chao Phraya River from Krung Thon Bridge (Sang Hee) to King Taksin Bridge (Sathon) from midday to 9pm on October 25, from 6am to 11pm on October 26, and from 8am to 2pm on October 27.

All types of boat, except those from the state agencies providing security, will be banned from the immediate area. 

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 Chao Phraya Express boats will dock at Thewet and Yod Piman piers, because the Phra Arthit, Tha Chang and Rachinee piers will be closed. 

The cross-river ferries that normally provide services from Tha Phra Chan Nua, Maharat and Tha Chang piers would use Pin Klao pier on the Phra Nakhon side, while those normally providing services from Tha Tian would be temporarily based at Rachinee pier. Tourist boats will be able to use the Pin Klao pier in the north and the Rachinee pier in the south.

The Thai Boats Association’s boat rides for people heading to Sanam Luang to attend the royal cremation ceremonies will be available from Nonthaburi pier to Pin Klao pier and from Sathon pier to the Yod Piman pier.

Source - TheNation

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Bangkok - Changing city landscapes

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RESIDENTS in Bangkok and neighbouring areas like Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan are seeing changing landscapes and new landmarks emerging in different areas – as many mass-transit projects are now under construction.

Several urban and suburban areas of the capital now have elevated structures overhead, with train tracks on bridges crossing the Chao Phraya River, old buildings disappearing, and new junctions in the making. 

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A lot more changes will be visible when many projects – some underground, some elevated and others a combination of the two – are completed in a few years’ time. 

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Many shop-houses and buildings have been expropriated for train stations, both above ground and elevated. Many areas adjacent to the train routes have already witnessed a boom in real estate development, with condominium projects having sprung up for people who prefer the convenience of rail travel to go to work or school.

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Tha Phra Intersection, on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok, will house a key interchange station for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit’s Blue Line. When construction of the Blue Line’s extended section is finished in October 2019, it will complete the circular route – the only one in the country.

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The three-way Fai Chai Junction will become a four-way intersection when construction of a new road is completed. The junction also houses one of the Blue Line stations being built under Charan Sanitwong Road. During World War II, spotlights were installed at this junction to help anti-aircraft guns find Allied bombers attacking at night. That is where its name comes from – Fai Chai means ‘flashlight’. The area saw frequent bombings as strategically significant targets such as a train station and a naval dockyard were located there. 

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Physical changes are also taking place or in set to occur in areas such as Tao Poon, Bang Sue, Rat Burana and Bang Pho in Bangkok, as well as Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi and the Samrong area in Samut Prakan.

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Given there are plans for Bangkok to have a mass-transit network that extends over 500 kilometres, it’s safe to say the dramatic changes to the city’s landscape will go on for some time – over a decade, if there are no further delays.

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Source and more pictures

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Chao Phraya riverside to become iconic upmarket utopia, #Bangkok

The Chao Phraya riverside area will be Bangkok's new upmarket lifestyle destination when a number of luxury retail, hotel and condominium projects costing more than Bt200 billion in total are completed over the next two-and-a-half years.

 TCC Land Group is owned by beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

Eight hotels, with a combined 4,152 rooms and worth up to Bt30 billion, are also expanding their riverside investment.

They are the Anantara Bangkok Riverside & Spa, the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, and the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok. Meanwhile, a number of condominium projects each worth up to Bt10 billion are being launched in the area this year through 2017.

They include the Magnolias Waterfront Residences Charoen Nakorn by Magnolias Quality Development, which is owned by CP Group, and Country Group's Landmark Waterfront.

The existing supply of condominiums on the Chao Phraya riverside is more than 12,394 units from 15 condo projects launched in the vicinity since the start of 2011 through last year.

These projects were worth more than Bt85.75 billion combined at the time of the launch, according to a survey by The Nation.

The part of the survey covering the Chao Phraya riverside in Phra Nakhon district - from Kiak Kai to Bang Pho, Tao Pun, Charoen Krung and Rama III - has found that seven condominium projects were launched since the beginning of 2011, comprising 6,229 units worth Bt35.7 billion.

The projects are: the 397-unit, Bt6-billion Pano Riverside by Krungthep Land; the 224-unit, Bt7-billion Canapaya Residences Rama 3; the Supalai Prema Riva, which has 871 units on Rama III worth Bt5.5 billion in total; the 2,405-unit, Bt5.5-billion Lumpini Park Riverside Rama; the 1,088-unit, Bt3.8-billion U Delight Residence Riverfront Rama 3 by Grand Unity Development; the 950-unit, Bt6.5-billion 333 Riverside by Land & Houses; and the Bt1.4-billion Breeze Narathivas by Eastern Star Real Estate, which comprises 294 units.

Meanwhile, the riverside on the Thon Buri side of the river - from Ratchburana Road to Charoen Nakorn, through to Charan Sanitwong - has seen eight condominium projects launched since 2010, comprising 6,165 units with a combined value of Bt50.05 billion.

They are: Pruksa Real Estate's 1,268-unit Ivy River Ratchaburana, worth Bt2.85 billion; the same developer's 1,820-unit Chapter One Ratchaburana, worth Bt4 billion; the 379-unit, Bt10-billion Magnolias Waterfront Residences Charoen Nakorn; the 350-unit, Bt7-billion Landmark Waterfront; the 833-unit The River by Raimon Land, worth Bt15 billion; the Supalai River Resort by Supalai, comprising 906 units worth Bt3.5 billion; the 123-unit My Resort @ River by Equity Residential, worth Bt2 billion; and the 486-unit Watermark Chaopraya River by Major Development, valued at Bt5.7 billion.

A survey by Colliers International (Thailand) shows that between 2004 and the first half of this year condominium launches on the Chao Phraya totalled 16,450 units, compared with just 2,700 units before the economic crisis in 1997.

Property investment in the area has boosted the price of land located close to the river, from an average of Bt50,000 per square wah (4 square metres) in 2011 to between Bt150,000 and Bt200,000 per square wah, Thai Condominium Association president Prasert Taedullayasatit said, adding that the upward trend would continue in light of the additional development planned from this year onwards.

Condominium sale prices at these locations have also risen, from an average of Bt50,000 per square metre five years ago to between Bt120,000 and Bt200,000 this year.

The latest project, the Magnolias Waterfront Residences Charoen Nakorn, offers the highest price of all, at Bt350,000 per square metre, he said.

The location is booming for both residential and commercial investment because river-view space is limited in the heart of Bangkok, while the mass-transit network is also being expanded to pass through the area, he explained.

The BTS Skytrain route is expanding from Sathorn to Bang Wa, while the MRT Blue Line extension from Hua Lam Pong to Bang Kae, and from Bang Sue to Tha Pra, will be ready for operations in 2017-2018.

These rail developments will help drive the riverside location to become a new iconic location in the capital, with most leading residential and commercial property developers expanding their investment in the area, he added.

Source: The Nation

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Chinatown Yaowarat, #Bangkok

Chinatown is located in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok.

It represents the resettlement of Chinese on the Western bank of Chao Phraya river

after Rama I moved the capital of the kingdom from Thonburi to Rattanakosin.

From there Chinese traders operated maritime junk trade between (Siam)

and China throughout the Rattanakosin period. By the end of 1891,

 King Rama V had ordered the construction of many roads,

including Yaowarat Road. Chinatown does not consist of only Yaowarat Road,

but also includes others such as: Charoen Krung Road, Mungkorn Road,

Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road, etc.

Yaowarat’s Sam Peng Market is the center of the area.

The path of the road is said to resemble a dragon’s curvy body,

making it an auspicious location for business. There are many shops selling gold,

garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts

and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques,

imported musical instruments and local delicacies.

 

 Land prices around Yaowarat Road have always been one of the most expensive

in Bangkok and Thailand due to limited land which is mostly owned

by prominent Thai-Chinese families who are often leaders

in their respective industries.

Yaowarat Road  in Samphanthawong district is home to Bangkok’s Chinatown,

which is centred on Sam Pheng Lane. Chinatown’s Sam Pheng Market

is an old business centre noted for a post-WW II visit

by the young king Ananda Mahidol. Modern Chinatown now covers a large area

around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road.

 There are many small streets and alleys full of shops

and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading

by the Chinese community since they moved from their old

site some 200 years ago to make way for the construction

of Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace.

 

 

Nearby is the Phahurat or Indian market, and the area is bordered

by the Chao Phraya River to the south. Yaowarat Road is also well known for

its sheer variety of food, and at night turns into a large “food street”

that draws tourists and locals from all over the city.

 

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