The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to open nine new public parks across the capital by the end of next year.
Silapasuay Raweesangsoon, permanent secretary of the BMA, said the parks, covering 220 rai, are part of the "Green Bangkok 2030" campaign aimed at transforming the capital into a greener and healthier city.
Under the campaign, launched in December 2019, the BMA plans to increase green space for the city's population to 10m² per person by 2030.
Currently, green space amounts to the equivalent of 7.3m². The World Health Organization has set a goal for a healthy and green city to have 8m² of trees per capita. The campaign also aims to increase the urban tree canopy, a form of green infrastructure providing shade, from 17% to 30%, and increase green space accessibility to enable people to access parks within a walking distance of 400 metres.
According to Ms Silapasuay, the nine public parks, scattered in eight districts, will open from late this year through 2022.
They are the 37-rai Thiantalay Phattana Phrueksa Phirom Park in Bang Khunthian district; the 26-rai Phupha Su Maha Nathee Park in Chatuchak district; and the 98-rai park near Phutthamonthon Sai 3 Road in Thawi Watthana district.
Others are the 18-rai Suan Pa Niwet Onnut in Prawet; the 14-rai Suan Pa Niwet Nong Khaem in Nong Khaem; the 5.6-rai Suan Pa Ekkamai in Watthana; the 2-rai park by Chao Phraya River in Klong San; the 14-rai area in Phra Khanong; and the 5.4-rai sports ground in Watthana.
She said the BMA will also add green spaces below elevated train routes and on traffic islands, adding that planting is under way along the 21-km Blue Line route from Bang Or station to Lak Song station. Green spaces help filter pollution from the air and reduce local air and ground temperature, she said.