City Hall is to begin cleaning up nine major Bangkok canals by relocating about 200 families squatting along Khlong Lat Phrao to clear the way for new boat services.
Deputy Bangkok governor Adisak Khantee said yesterday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would press ahead with the relocation process now it has received the green light to clean up the canals.
The cabinet on Tuesday gave approval for the BMA to relocate families encroaching on nine major canals in the capital and demolish structures they have built.
The clean-up campaign is to pave the way for new boat services, improve irrigation and prevent flooding in the future, he said.
Cooperation from related agencies including the Interior Ministry's Marine Department and Department of Lands, and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDH) is needed, Mr Adisak said.
The MSDH has to find a new location to rehouse the evicted families, he added.
In order to complete the project, the Marine Department which has the authority to evict the families, had to officially transfer that authority to the BMA to do the job, the deputy governor said.
New housing will have to be provided for the evicted families before the BMA can proceed with cleaning up the canals, he said.
Khlong Lat Phrao will be the first canal targeted and developed so the city can launch boat services to help alleviate traffic in the area, Mr Adisak said.
The other eight canals are Khlong Prem Prachakorn, Khlong Bang Khen, Khlong Sam Wa, Khlong Lat Bua Khao, Khlong Phraya Montri, Khlong Bang Sue, Khlong Prawet Burirom, and Khlong Phra Khanong.
The BMA estimates more than 10,000 families are encroaching along the nine canals. There are more than 200 encroaching along the 23km Khlong Lat Phrao stretching from Don Muang to Rama IX.
A source at City Hall said the BMA wants a new boat service along Khlong Lat Phrao after a trial service on Khlong Phasi Charoen proved a success.
The service attracts about 2,300 passengers a day. The free trial service which ends in May will start operating permanently and passengers will be charged.
Khlong Lat Phrao has the potential to be a transport option as it is close to many communities, the source said.
The source said the BMA also has a 12-year plan to expand its water transportation network along all its 28 canals throughout the city.