Mahakan facelift kicks off

Mahakan facelift kicks off

Workers from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration remove weeds from Mahakan Fort as part of a clean-up campaign to tidy the areas surrounding Sanam Luang for the royal cremation ceremony for the late King in October. Pawat Laopaisarntaksin
Workers from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration remove weeds from Mahakan Fort as part of a clean-up campaign to tidy the areas surrounding Sanam Luang for the royal cremation ceremony for the late King in October. Pawat Laopaisarntaksin

City Hall has started cleaning and renovating the centuries-old Mahakan Fort as part of its plan to tidy up areas surrounding Sanam Luang ahead of the royal cremation ceremony on Oct 25-29.

It is the second major renovation of the fort after its construction in 1783, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said yesterday, as he led more than 100 city officials, soldiers and volunteers to join a clean-up activity at the fort under strict guidelines set by the Fine Arts Department.

The fort's first restoration was carried out in 1982 when the government held a ceremony to mark 200 years since the founding of the capital Bangkok. Among the first tasks was the removal of weeds that have grown on parts of the fort's wall, which must be done carefully to avoid damaging the original structure of the fort, now listed as a national archeological site, Pol Gen Aswin said.

Fine arts officials advised that the city avoid immediate removal of the plants because it would affect building materials such as lime. They advised using a chemical liquid to destroy the weeds' roots, making them easier to pull out.

The fort's walls will then be painted, which must match the fort's original colour, Pol Gen Aswin added. "I've told officials to finish all the work by Sept 1," the Bangkok governor said.

Mahakan Fort is one of two remaining forts in the capital, which previously housed up to 14 forts during the reign of King Rama I. The other is Phra Sumeru Fort on the riverside, located not far from Sanam Luang.

Mahakan Fort, which sits on a bank of the Ong Ang canal, is near Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, the main road that leads to Sanam Luang.

The royal crematorium is being built at Sanam Luang, so City Hall wants to ensure a clean and attractive look for the fort and other areas in its vicinity.

City officials have no plans to turn the fort's compound into a temporary overnight shelter for mourners expected to participate in the royal cremation ceremony of the late King Rama IX. However, Pol Gen Aswin said the city is considering using parts of the compound as a temporary car park and a location for toilet facilities.

Meanwhile, City Hall is going ahead with a plan to relocate 12 houses from the Mahakan Fort compound, though the plan recently faced some delay when residents asked for more time to relocate.

The city's plans to relocate some houses have attracted opposition.

The work should be complete by the end of September, Pol Gen Aswin said.

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