Soi
Tonson Canal Beautification Project
Soi Tonson and Soi Somkid are one of the many
lanes in Bangkok with historical significance. A canal and
big, shady trees are the main features of the two lanes, which
are located on Ploenchit Road, a business and tourist belt
in the center of the city where many embassies, business offices,
hotels, department stores, etc., are situated. Because
of rapid expansion which attracted food shops, hawker stands,
and open air stalls to set up shop at the entrance of the
lane and inside the lane itself, the canal became a convenient
dumping site of food remains and garbage. Many of the buildings
and houses along the canal released their wastewater into
it. The canal had also been filled and in some places, structures
were built, causing the canal to become shallow and unsightly.
The canal and its water became polluted, emitting a foul odor
and providing a breeding place for mosquitoes.
The
Thai Environmental and Community Development Association,
which launched the "Love Chao Phraya with Magic Eyes"
Project in 1990, decided in 1993 to develop this lane and
canal. Tilleke & Gibbins expressed its willingness to
provide the initiative in organizing a campaign to develop
the environment in Soi Tonson. It was decided to turn the
canal into a model canal, and the Department of Drainage and
Sewerage of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, The Pathumwan
District, and the Lumpini Metropolitan Police Station were
invited to give their ideas to develop Soi Tonson. The plan
arrived at included improving the condition of the canal,
constructing dams as well as drainage systems for wastewater
and rain water and liquid discharges from houses and offices,
planting trees and flowers, etc., to turn the place into a
refreshing, pleasant, orderly, and beautiful site for the
enjoyment of the residents, businesses, tourists and the general
public. Landscape Planning Co., Ltd. was invited to help in
studying the problems and to landscape Soi Tonson. This project
was then proposed to the Deputy Governor of Bangkok for consideration
and approval as a Model Canal Development Project of the BMA
in association with the private sector and the community of
Soi Tonson and Soi Somkid.
The BMA, foreseeing the importance of the role of the private
sector and the local people in community development, adopted
this project as part of its Model Canals Project, and with
budgetary support and cooperation of the officials of the
Department of Drainage and Sewerage and the Pathumwan District
Office, the canal was dug, dams and water drainage pipes were
built, the road was improved and a footpath constructed.
The
objectives of this project were (a) to serve as a model community
development project mobilizing the ideas, resources, and cooperation
of the community, the public sector, and the private sector;
(b) to improve the canal and turn it into a model canal and
to develop and improve the environment in the vicinity of
the canal; (c) to promote cooperation in the community in
helping one another to look after and maintain the environment
and water resources, and (d) to foster cooperation between
the public sector, the private sector, and community in solving
society's environmental problems.
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