The Committee for the Conservation of Rattanakosin and Old Town has agreed to forward the controversial Chao Phraya riverside promenade project to the Defence Ministry.
It wants it to work with a network of architects to come up with a design that best suits the city's cultural identity.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who chairs the committee, said the ministry should meet the architects to do further work on the design, according to Raweewan Bhuridej, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (NREPP) and also the committee's secretary.
The design of the so-called New Landmark of Thailand should fit in with Bangkok people's way of life and culture, she said.
Ms Raweewan said the project will provide space for everyone and also eliminate river encroachment by communities. However, the project has experienced difficulties due to disagreements over the design.
"Gen Prawit said the project may not be beneficial to a certain group of people, but it will be for everyone. A conclusion on the design is needed to move on to the next step," she quoted Gen Prawit as telling the panel.
Gen Prawit did not set a time frame for the design to be completed, but said it is an urgent matter, according to Ms Raweewan.
The deputy premier wants to see the first phase of the project between Rama VII and Pin Klao bridges, totalling 14km, take shape. The committee will consider the design which will later be proposed by the ministry before submitting it to the cabinet for approval.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) owns the Design and Master Plan for Chao Phraya Development project, which has four phases to develop 57km of the river banks.
The BMA hopes it will be a landmark of the capital and help people learn about the history of various communities, with river walks and bicycle lanes, pedestrian bridges and a shopping arcade.
However, a source at the NREPP said around 200 riverside communities oppose the project, saying it will destroy their livelihoods. They are also afraid they will be relocated if the project proceeds.
According to the source, the group also called on the government to suspend the project and conduct further studies with more public participation. The BMA also hopes the project will help stop encroachment on the river.