City Hall's new demolition plan will put at risk houses featuring the Rama IX architectural style in Mahakan Fort Community, experts said on Saturday.
There are eight houses, made of a combination of wood and cement during the reign of King Rama IX, in the community which are at risk, said Sudjit Sananwai, Association of Siamese Architects' (ASA) vice-president for urban activities and public policy.
The ASA has proposed to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) that it should preserve 24 houses in the community that cover a wider span of architectural significance, including contemporary structures built during the reign of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
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They show an evolution of architectural style between early Rattanakosin and contemporary eras, she said.
Tomorrow the BMA will demolish eight more houses, including house number 95, which according to a study by Silpakorn University's Chatri Pakitnonthakan in 2006 dates back to before the reign of King Rama IX.
Experts are worried about the BMA's lack of clarity over 16 old houses in the community.
Having been firm about razing a 5-rai plot and turning it into a park, the BMA last Friday mentioned a new plan to keep 16 houses, based on Mr Chatri's study, ignoring the ASA's latest plea to keep 24 houses.
Yesterday the BMA began the demolition of house number 203, two days earlier than its original plan scheduled for Monday.
Mr Chatri said if the BMA decides to preserve 16 houses based on his suggestion, house number 95 shouldn't be demolished on Monday.
The BMA was standing firm in its stance to turn the plot into a park, the lecturer believed.
He said it had not presented the list of 16 houses to be preserved or revealed its plans for the houses after all residents were evicted.
"It's a [BMA] tactical move to ease social pressure," said Mr Chatri.