Locals back plan to relocate Bangkok Port from Klong Toei
Survey learns that many Bangkokians believe the port area in heart of city can be put to better use
Most people support the government’s plans to relocate Bangkok Port from Klong Toei district and use the area for other purposes, an opinion survey has found.
The survey was carried out by the research institute of North Bangkok University (North Bangkok Poll) from July 22 to 30. The pollster said it interviewed 2,500 respondents but failed to provide more details.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Transport Ministry to consider relocating Bangkok Port partially to Laem Chabang Port. Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, director-general of the Port Authority of Thailand, said that after the relocation, the existing port could be upgraded into a green port, which will improve nearby communities and residents’ quality of life. It can also be used as a pier for transportation services, he said.
Sanit Siriwisitkul, who oversaw the poll, said on Thursday that 70.7% of the respondents agreed with the plan to relocate the port, while 16.2% disagreed and 13.1% had no comment.
When asked what they thought the Bangkok Port area could be used for after relocation, the responses were:
40.2%: Mixed use
18.4% Others
16.7%: Building houses for the underprivileged
11.3%: Turning it into a public park
10.2%: Developing a tourist site
3.2%: Developing a commercial site.
Sanit added that 70.3% of the respondents said they had heard about the plan to relocate the port, though the remainder knew nothing about it.
