Published on September 01, 2005

Trumpeted as the government’s masterpiece traffic solution, the coming Taksin Transport Centre threatens to uproot more than 10,000 people who are fighting to stay where they have lived for decades.

If the centre goes ahead as planned, the government will expropriate homes and commercial buildings on 175 rai that spans Bangkok’s Chom Thong, Phasi Charoen and Thon Buri districts.

Elderly residents say that it would break their hearts to move from areas where they have grown roots and sown families. They also find it hard to swallow that the expropriation will force their children to search for new homes in other neighbourhoods.

“Our grandparents came to settle here when the land was full of orchards,” said Watcharee Wiriyachaiyont, a 46-year-old resident. “They have been happy to see the area become increasingly developed in the belief that their children will live in a desirable neighbourhood. If their present homes are doomed for expropriation, where will their children live?”

Watcharee said that at least three elderly residents died from heart disease after they heard news about the expropriation six months ago.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said his uncle began suffering from stress after attending a public hearing on the expropriation plan.

“His condition worsened when he read more news reports about the imminent expropriation,” he said. “Just a few days ago, he died.”

Yaowares Pajonkla, 60, said she had to seek religious solace to cope with stress from the threatened expropriation.

To find relief she attended a camp for Buddhists to practice the Dharma.

“I have lived here for more than 30 years. I never thought that I would lose the house that I am now living in,” she said.

Jiewkuang Boonpao, 73, said he would have nowhere to go if the government took his home away. He said he had paid for construction with loans and has yet to repay the debts.

Lamduan Chinmanophan, a part-time teacher, said the expropriation would affect residents in 11 established communities.

“There are so many residents here, and very few have options to go and live elsewhere. We spent our whole life acquiring our homes and how can we survive if someone is going to take them away?” she said.

Across the affected communities residents have erected banners that read “We don’t want the Taksin Transport Centre” and “It’s unethical to destroy communities”. Many residents have painted slogans on the walls of their homes to show their opposition to the centre, while others have donated paint.

“Not a single person here wants the Taksin Transport Centre. So, don’t bring it here.” Paisal Maneesuwan said.

Paisal represents more than 1,500 residents in a condominium and townhouse project in one of the affected communities.

“There is plenty of empty land. Why doesn’t the government choose those plots?” he asked.

He said his group would not move out of the area and would soon lodge a complaint with the Administrative Court.

With opposition mounting, authorities are considering reducing the size of the transport centre, said Kamroblak Suraswadi, director of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office. He said there are eight options for downsizing the centre to 50 rai or even 14 rai.

“We should be able to come to a conclusion within a month,” Kamroblak said.

If the centre occupies more than 175 rai, the government would spend Bt5 billion to compensate people whose properties are expropriated.

Bangkok MP Vicharn Meen-chaiyanant, who chairs the House Committee on Consumer Protection, said his panel would set up a subcommittee to look into the project because it impinges on so many people.

The panel’s chairman, Bangkok MP Suwat Muangsiri, said his panel believes the project should be downsized to minimise the impacts on residents.

“But the Cabinet will have a final say,” he said.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation

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