Major-general Sansern Kaokamnerd told reporters that the government would not be releasing details of the exact route the cycleway would take just yet. He explained that the reason for this was that it might encourage speculators to buy up land on the route in the hope of making a fast profit.
The spokesperson continued by saying general Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy prime minister, had been nominated to oversee the project. He finished off by saying he could not give more details about the proposed cycleway at present.
The cycleway is believed to be part of a master-plan announced by Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime-minister of Thailand’s military-backed government. The general stated that he would like to see cycleways laid down in Bangkok to ease horrendous traffic congestion.
The general added that if there were more dedicated routes for bicycles, Bangkokians would be more inclined to use them. To this end, the government had already announced it would demarcate cycle lanes in the old Rattanakosin Island area of the city as a New Year’s present for city residents.
Thailand endorses cycleway for Bangkok river
News in Asia
Thai government ministers have given the green light for the construction of a cycle-path on the banks of Bangkok’s main river. A government spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the cabinet had approved a seven-kilometre-long cycleway that will follow the course of the Thai capital’s Chao Phraya River.