The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to build a new walkway and garden observatory, to be called Phra Pokklao Sky Park, on an unfinished electric train railway across the Chao Phraya River and open it as a new tourist attraction by 2018.
Wanchai Thanomsak, director of the BMA's City Planning Department, said the Phra Pokklao Sky Park is one of the 19 urgent projects planned during the tenure of Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang.
The new walkway and garden observatory across the Chao Phraya River will be built on the old structure of an unfinished electric railway of the Expressway Authority of Thailand situated between Phra Phuttha Yodfa and Phra Pokklao bridges. The railway project was scrapped long ago and the structure left unused.
The unfinished structure is 280 metres long and eight metres wide.
It will be redeveloped as a fenced in recreational garden. Lighting and sureveillance cameras will be installed for safety, Mr Wanchai said. A variety of plants will beautify the site and provide shade for visitors.
Mr Wanchai said the BMA has set aside 130 million baht for the Phra Pokklao Sky Park project. Bidding for the project will be called in March. The work is expected to be completed on one year and be opened to the public in early 2018.