Bangkok Skytrain extensions due to start this year
Skytrain extensions due to start this year: Governor
Bangkokians will be able to travel faster this year, as two extensions of the Skytrain and rapid bus service will be available for commuters, Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said recently.
Sukhumbhand said he would also hurry to merge Chatuchak with Rot Fai and Queen Sirikit public parks this year, to a total area of more than 700 rai. He made the remarks during a recent interview with Nation Multimedia Group reporters.
The park project is part of the governor’s policy to focus on the environment this year. It is expected to be completed by the end of next year (2011) to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday.
“The two extensions of the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System), which are Onnuj-Bearing and Wongwian Yai-Bangwa will be available early this year while BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) will be available from May 15,” the governor said.
Sukhumbhand also spoke about projects he was able to complete last year, as promised when he stood as a candidate in the city election. He had vowed to develop the economy, boost public health, public transport and education.
He said the city budget of Bt3.5 billion went on projects which could help boost the number of jobs and stimulate the economy, such as building flood-prevention walls and cleaning drains.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) helped its staff by collaborating with banks to launch the Ban Yim (Smiling Home) project worth Bt7 billion, so staff can borrow funds to build or repair their homes. One in six workers or 10,000 staff joined the project.
The BMA also cooperated with banks to help ease burdens for Bangkokians via loan projects for operating small businesses and pay back debts to loan sharks. Some Bt1.6 billion in loans were provided to 40,000 residents and managing home debts. About 1,000 people joined the project.
The governor said he would continue the three loan projects this year if the banks would collaborate with the BMA.
“Last year, I did so many projects to improve medicine, public health and education. The health-related projects included free check-ups, providing 200 patient beds to each of nine BMA hospitals, plans for constructing Bang Khunthien hospital as elderly medicine centre,” he said.
“The educational projects were free compulsory education, parent and childhood student-teacher training, the electronic Distance Learning Television and special teaching for autistic students.”
Sukhumbhand revealed he also faced many problems last year that intervened in his work.There was also a rumour he had conflicts with colleagues in the Democrat Party.
“Actually, I don’t have any conflicts with the party. Some people think I am not supported by the government [led by Democrat leader Abhisit] because I criticised them. It’s not true.
“Even wife and husband can criticise each other, so why can’t I [be critical]? The party needs to support me because I’m a member and the popularity of the party in Bangkok depends on how I perform.
“This is not a matter of conflicts but there was only one person who spread this rumour.
“We have problems with the scandal in the BRT project, however the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has already allowed us to continue the project. We’ll probably rent buses to operate the service, and the DSI will inspect the purchase.
“I’m trying to get back the responsibility for constructing the Bearing-Paknam and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai Skytrain extension routes from the Transport Ministry after the Somchai Wongsawat government passed a Cabinet resolution [in late 2008] allowing the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand to oversee these projects instead of the BMA.”
After the corruption scandal in the purchase of fire-vehicles, Sukhumbhand said he was considering whether the BMA should hire the fire trucks in order to make use of them as soon as possible.
He said they needed to consider the matter carefully as legal action by the BMA or the supplier, Steyr Daimler Puch, and a court ruling could affect the rental rate for the vehicles.
Projects the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is expected to complete this year:
Extending the Skytrain on two routes: Onnuj-Bearing and Wongwian Yai-Bangwa;
Developing the Bus Rapid Transit service;
Constructing a dam to prevent the Chao Phya River from flooding.
Building a new drainage system on Srinakarin Road.
Developing the Sanamchai-Mahachai “monkey-cheek” project.
Source: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration