The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday officially opened Chao Phraya Sky Park -- the first public park over the Chao Phraya River.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the opening ceremony, with BMA executives led by Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang also present.
The sky park is built on top of abandoned Lavalin Skytrain structures and entry and exit points were placed at both ends. Lifts have also been installed.
The green pedestrian bridge connects King Prajadhipok Park on the Phra Nakhon side of the river with the Chaloem Phrakiat Forest Park on the Thon Buri side.
The elevated section of the sky park is 8.5 metres wide and 280m long. It is straddled between traffic lanes on Phra Pok Klao Bridge.
It features a garden surrounding a point overlooking the Chao Phraya River and leisure spots. Cycling is banned on the path, but people can dismount and walk with their bicycles.
The park was renovated from the unfinished skytrain structure, built in 1984. It was left abandoned for more than 30 years until the BMA came up with the park idea a couple of years ago.
The renovation has taken about one year and cost about 130 million baht. The BMA expects the park to help promote tourism in the capital.