The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is considering using the 1961 Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums to penalise people intruding into Sanam Luang while it is being removated, and misusing it in the future.
The Act carries penalties of up to Bt1million in fines and 10 years in prison.
Deputy BMA governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said work by the 1st Development Division would take 300 days and should be completed by April 2011.
As a result, celebrations for National Father's Day on December 5 and National Mother's Day on August 12 would be moved to the Royal Plaza, he said.
After the renovation is complete, BMA would contact police and Fine Arts Department officials to strictly enforce the Ancient Monuments Act because Sanam Luang was an ancient site registered with the Fine Arts Department. Officials should be prepared to use maximum penalties in order to prevent Sanam Luang from deteriorating,he said.
He also would propose additional regulations on Sanam Luang's use, Theerachon said. Requests for short political gatherings like vote-wooing campaign speeches would be allowed. But requests to use the site for longer periods would be turned down by the city.
Theerachon said that during renovation the general public would be able to use the makeshift path through Sanam Luang during the time period limit set by the 1st Development Division. But people would not be allowed to sleep on the site any more.