A group of green advocates has called on City Hall to review its approach towards saving the trees along the new cycle lane around Chitralada Palace, after a number of trees that had earlier been knocked down by a storm were propped up by metal bars.
Pranisa Boonkham, who represents Thailand Urban Tree Network, said the Bangkok Metropolitan Adminsitration's (BMA) method to prop up knocked-down trees with metal bars is only a short-term solution to keep the trees erect, and would not be able to save them.
Ms Pranisa explained that parts of the roots of these trees, supported by metal bars, had earlier been cut and covered with cement before being knocked down by a storm.
They will eventually die as the roots have never been treated.
The group also submitted a letter to the BMA, asking it to revise its plan to construct a cycle lane around the palace and Dusit Zoo, at a cost of 130 million baht, in Dusit district.
In the letter, the group accused authorities of not following accepted standards for tree care practices when dealing with trees with damaged roots.
The group demanded that authorities seek professional advice from an arborist. Those trees have broken roots and are waiting to fall over, the letter said.
The group had earlier inspected big trees in the area last month and claimed at least 20 big trees are under threat of falling down.
Ms Pranisa said the BMA had agreed to set up a committee to address the problems after a green network asked authorities to find practical ways to deal with the issue, but no progress has been made.
A source at the BMA yesterday defended its project, insisting the fallen trees were not a result of its construction work.
The BMA collaborated with the Department of Public Works, and the Environment Department and Traffic and Transport Department while handling the tree problem, the source added.
The same source said the BMA had quickly responded to the group's calls, adding it recently decided to reduce the width of the lane in order to avoid cutting tree roots.
The project is part of City Hall's bike lane plans around the city to encourage people to use bicycles as part of their daily activities.