The Chao Phraya River piers will see three upgraded to become smart piers, the Marine Department announced yesterday.
Rajinee Pier in Phra Nakhon district, near Pak Khlong Talat and close to Sanam Chai subway station, the Phayap Pier in Dusit district and the Bang Po Pier in Bang Sue district, which connects to an elevated station of the MRT Blue Line are to receive the initial makeover.
Marine Department acting director-general and deputy permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry Sorapong Paitoonphong said the renovated piers would be the department's New Year gift to commuters.
Mr Sorapong said the department invested about 93 million baht into upgrading the piers, which will be equipped with technology to inform commuters of boat arrival times and provide free WiFi and onboard mobile-phone charging station.
The piers will also accept digital payments, including prepaid cards and mobile payments in the future, he said.
Each of the piers will also support wheelchair use and offer clean toilets, Mr Sorapong added.
The Rajinee pier features a two-storey building with a rooftop which offers passengers a view of the Chao Phraya River.
The pier can handle 1,900 commuters a day, more than double the previous number, he said. The Phayap Pier is a one-storey colonial-style building, while the Bang Po Pier is a two-storey terminal.
Mr Sorapong said that having been launched in 1993 the three piers are part of the department's plan to upgrade 29 piers by 2025. The total investment is worth about 942 million baht.
Five smart piers have already been completed at Sathon, Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), Tha Chang, Nonthaburi and Marine Department piers.