AYUTTHAYA - Residents of Bang Pa-in district rallied on Monday against government inaction on their request to re-open a fenced off pathway under a flyover and develop the area as a sports field.
About 300 people gathered beneath the kilometre-long bridge that crosses railway tracks and a traffic intersection in front of Aek Center, the district’s largest fresh market, in protest at the decision by the Highways Department and the State Railway of Thailand.
Protest leader Sureeporn Parknimit, 43, said the residents had asked local offices of the two agencies, which own the enclosure, to remove fencing and concrete barriers so people could cross under the bridge from one side to the other, instead of making a long detour.
The request was made a year ago, but there had been no response at all.
He said people were greatly inconvenienced when the path was blocked after construction of the bridge was completed. The area had since become crime-prone.
”People who don’t have cars have to make a long detour, which is both inconvenient and risky for them, because the cars are travelling fast,” Mr Sureeporn said.
“It is desolate and dark around there at night. There have been robberies and rapes under the bridge.”
The protesters wanted the old walkway re-opened and lights installed to provide safety for pedestrians. They also want the vacant enclosed area under the bridge to be turned into a sports field for community use.
Sinchai Kraikate, head of Bang Pa-in Highway Division, said it had been decided that municipal officials could go ahead with installing lights under the bridge, if they had the funds.
However, the old walkway crosses the railway tracks, which was dangerous. To reopen it would require approval by railway authorities.
The residents’ request to develop the area under the bridge as a sports field would be forwarded to Highways Department senior officials for consideration, he said.