Gov’t efforts to modernize Bangkok port threaten local poor communities

Bangkok, Thailand – The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) edges closer and closer to officially float a tender for its Klong Toey smart community project in 2022.

PAT seeks the modernization of the Bangkok port and adjacent areas, parts of which have been encroached upon by poor people.

This raises concerns about the fate of Thais who make a living from the port and the areas surrounding it, as they would have to clear the areas to allow for the construction works.

Local communities that would be affected directly by the modernization project have expressed their exasperation and demanded the authorities to reconsider and take their situation into consideration going forward.

Driven by feelings of nostalgia, many said that it is hard for them to leave the place where they had grown up and built their lives, saying that displacement would leave them out of businesses and force them to start from scratch.

“I do not know what to do because I would have to start from scratch. If you are putting us out of business, would you be able to compensate us?” one resident said.

“We grew up like this We know what we see. Really, if possible I would like to choose to stay here Because it is about the place of work. Here, it’s like the center of the city,” said another.