The group is calling itself the "Chiang Mai Rak Fang Ping" (Chiang Mai Loves the Ping Riverbank).

The civic group wants an alternative to the barrier it claims will be a useless eyesore. It claims the wall could worsen flooding.

July 15 sees the Ping protesters holding a public hearing into alternative flood solutions at the Buddha Satarn on Tha Pae Road between 1pm and 5pm. They event will include a concert featuring local musicians, including Suntaree Vechanon.

The group has prepared an exhibition displaying alternatives for alleviating flooding in Chiang Mai.

"One of the main purposes of the gathering is to say 'no' to a plan to build a 20-kilometre concrete wall along both banks of the Ping", group member Suebsawas Sanitwong said.

If the city goes ahead with the controversial Bt1.2 billion wall, it will stretch from tambon Faham north of downtown Chiang Mai, through the heart of the city and on to tambon Padaed in the south.

The retaining wall was demanded by central-district businesses after last year's flooding.

Suebsawas said the wall was an "unsustainable" solution and one that might worsen flood damage if the river were to breach the barrier.

The wall would spoil the look of the city, Suebsawas said.

Despite last year's flood, luxury hotels have since been built along the riverbank and other flood-prone areas.

"The wall project has been pushed ahead without participation from local people. We should have a right to voice our concerns and discuss alternative solutions," Suebsawas said.

Atsadaporn Kamthai

Citylife, Chiang Mai