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Pathum Thani Residents Protest Eastern Outer Ring Road Design, Seek Changes for Schools, Hospitals

Pathum Thani Residents Protest Eastern Outer Ring Road Design, Seek Changes for Schools, Hospitals

Matichon•Society•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Pathum Thani residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed eastern section of Bangkok's outer ring road, citing significant negative impacts on local schools and hospitals and urging the Department of Highways to revise the design.

  • •Pathum Thani residents, including school administrators and hospital representatives, are protesting the current design of the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road project.
  • •Concerns center on the design's potential to create traffic congestion, pollution, and obstructed access for emergency vehicles to Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital and impact students at Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School.
  • •The Department of Highways stated it is open to feedback and will attempt to revise the design to be as satisfactory as possible to all stakeholders.

Overview

  • •On May 6, the Department of Highways held a public meeting to present the findings of the study for the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road project.
  • •Residents at the meeting reiterated concerns about the proposed route's impact on local infrastructure and quality of life.
  • •The current design of the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road is feared to cause severe traffic congestion and pollution, directly affecting Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School and Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital.
  • •Residents are protesting because the proposed design infringes on the original intent of land donation for hospital expansion and creates a shared, potentially problematic, access route for the school.
  • •The administration of Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School emphasized their non-opposition to development but requested collaborative solutions to mitigate harm to over 600-800 students.
  • •A project engineer from the Department of Highways assured attendees that all suggestions are being considered for design adjustments.
  • •The proposed design is not yet final and remains subject to revision based on feedback and identified obstacles before construction.
  • •The summarized outcomes of the public consultation will be presented to the Department of Highways' project steering committee for further review.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Chayawat
"But the engineers designing for Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School to use the same entrance-exit as the hospital goes against the original intent, which will cause bottlenecks, traffic jams, and immense pollution, obstructing emergency ambulance access."
แต่การที่ทีมวิศวกรออกแบบให้โรงเรียนสารสาสน์วิเทศปทุมธานีใช้เส้นทางเข้า-ออกร่วมกับโรงพยาบาลถือเป็นการผิดเจตนารมณ์ เนื่องจากจะทำให้เกิดปัญหาคอขวด การจราจรติดขัด และสร้างมลพิษอย่างมหาศาล ซึ่งจะเป็นอุปสรรคต่อการเข้า-ออกของรถพยาบาลฉุกเฉิน
Warangkana Jongk Ritchak
"The school does not oppose the Highways Department's development but seeks a mutual solution, as the current construction plan cuts off the permanent entrance-exit in front of the school, directly affecting over 600-800 students."
โรงเรียนไม่ได้คัดค้านการพัฒนาของกรมทางหลวง แต่ต้องการหาทางออกร่วมกัน เนื่องจากรูปแบบการก่อสร้างปัจจุบันได้ตัดเส้นทางเข้า-ออกถาวรบริเวณด้านหน้าโรงเรียน ส่งผลกระทบโดยตรงต่อนักเรียนกว่า 600-800 คน
Premwut Chanthanwong
"The Highways Department is not indifferent and is ready to listen to all suggestions for improvement. Even if the adjustments can't fully satisfy everyone, we will try to make it as satisfactory as possible for all parties."
กรมทางหลวงไม่ได้นิ่งนอนใจและพร้อมรับฟังทุกข้อเสนอแนะไปดำเนินการปรับปรุง แม้การแก้ไขอาจไม่สามารถตอบสนองความต้องการได้ตรงใจร้อยเปอร์เซ็นต์ แต่จะพยายามปรับเปลี่ยนให้เป็นที่พึงพอใจของทุกฝ่ายมากที่สุด

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Highways(กรมทางหลวง)ℹ️
The Thai government agency responsible for road construction and maintenance, currently managing the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road project.
Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️
The overarching ministry under which the Department of Highways operates, overseeing national transportation infrastructure.
Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School(โรงเรียนสารสาสน์วิเทศปทุมธานี)
A school in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, that is concerned about the impact of the proposed ring road design on its students and access.

Person

Nopadol Polsua(นายนพดล พลซื่อ)
The District Chief of Thanyaburi, who presided over the public meeting regarding the ring road project.
Chayawat(นายชยวัฒน์)
A landowner whose property is adjacent to Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital, who spoke about donating land for hospital expansion and the impact of the project.
Warangkana Jongk Ritchak(นางวรางคณา จงไกรจักร)
An executive of Sarasas Witead Pathum Thani School who presented concerns about the project's impact on students and the need for a collaborative solution.
Premwut Chanthanwong(นายเปรมวุฒิ จันทร์ธนวงษ์)
A senior specialized civil engineer and project manager for the Department of Highways, who addressed public concerns at the meeting.

Place

Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital(โรงพยาบาลมหาวชิราลงกรณธัญบุรี)
A hospital in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, whose access and expansion plans are potentially impacted by the proposed ring road.
Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road(ถนนรังสิต-นครนายก)
A road in Pathum Thani that is adjacent to Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital and is a point of discussion in relation to the proposed ring road.
Bueng Sanan Subdistrict(ตำบลบึงสนั่น)
The subdistrict in Thanyaburi where the land donation for Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital is located and where concerns about the ring road have been raised.
Thanyaburi District(อ.ธัญบุรี)
The district in Pathum Thani Province where a public meeting was held to discuss the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road project.
Pathum Thani Province(จ.ปทุมธานี)ℹ️
The province in Thailand where the Eastern Outer Bangkok Ring Road project and the public opposition meeting are taking place.