The Senate, the Crown Property Bureau and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are pursuing an ambitious plan to reshape the heart of Rattanakosin Island and turn Rajdamnoen Avenue into the 'Champs Elysees of Bangkok'

Bangkok: Venice of the East? Yes, it might become a reality in the near future.

The Senate, the Crown Property Bureau (CPB) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are continuing in their quest to reshape the heart of Rattanakosin Island in Dusit as well as charming communities along the Chao Phya River into nouveau Siam.

Aiming to update the studies presented by SJA+3D, there will be a seminar on "The Vision on Preservation of Rattanakosin and its Island" at the BCP office this Saturday from 8.30am to 4pm.

The seminar is targeting about 100 delegates, including representatives from the Senate, the CPB, TAT, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (ONESDB), the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Association of Siam Architects, communities affected and the media.

Multi-billion-baht plan

The seminar will reveal new studies on the multi-billion-baht masterplan, which will affect dozens of communities along the Chao Phya in Tha Tien, Tha Chang and Tha Phrachan as well as Wat Rakang in Bangkok Noi district.

Chaired by Senate chairman Prasobsuk Boondech, the panellists include Uthit Chaithen of ONESDB, Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, national artist Sumet Jumsai and Veeraphan Shinawatra, both of SJA+3D.

Veeraphan will present an updated study called "Chao Phya Sodsai Thoed Thai Ong Raja", a project to preserve the area along the river from Tatien near Wat Pho and the parallel area along the river in Thonburi.

The CPB, the landlord of the Tha Tien community, will team up with TAT to develop Tha Tien into a "living culture community" following the global trend of cultural tourism.

The new study will continue to develop the ancient Tatien community by replacing the old fresh market with a public park and modern tourist spots, from which the popular Wat Arun can be seen on Thonburi's riverbank.

Uthit will present an update on the controversial project of "Converting Rajdamnoen Ave-nue into the Champs Elysees of Bangkok".