The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has highlighted six local bridges in grave need of urgent maintenance.
Among them is a bridge crossing Klong Saen Saep at Nida intersection in Bang Kapi district as well as Saphan Sung Bang Sue Bridge and Phempracha Bridge, both in Bang Sue district.
The remaining three are Klong Lam Ped Bridge on Suan Siam Road in Kannayao district; Klong Sam Wa Bridge in Klong Sam Wa district; and a bridge crossing Klong Tha Raeng on Watcharaphon Road in Bang Khen district.
Of the six bridges, Saphan Sung Bang Sue Bridge is in the worst condition as it has never been repaired in the four decades since its construction, said Thiti Songchareonkit, chief of the BMA's construction and maintenance unit, which conducted the survey.
Despite the survey's findings, no work can begin as the department was denied the 90 million baht budget it requested for fixing the bridges, according to Mr Thiti.
The department will again petition for funds in next year's budget, but this will mean the work is delayed for a further year.
These findings were part of the BMA's latest safety inspection of 1,000 of steel-reinforced concrete bridges across the city. The survey rated the condition of each bridge on a scale of 0-4, with 0 representing the most urgent need of repair. Ten bridges received the lowest score, of which around seven underwent restoration while the remainder are among those still waiting for budget approval.
All six of the concrete bridges noted by the BMA have heavily subsided due to heavy vehicles, time and weather conditions which have also caused damage to the road surface on each. Although temporary maintenance has occasionally been conducted over the years, significant long-standing damage remains.