Bangkok Post `LUNG' UNDER THREAT Bang Krachao eyed by greedy speculators

`LUNG' UNDER THREAT

Bang Krachao eyed by greedy speculators

When referring to kraprawh moo, food connoisseurs might initially think of the pig offal used as a tasty ingredient in the Chinese noodle soup called khiew jab . But for nature lovers, the name also refers to Bang Krachao, a vast area of green space located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province. The name refers to the location's unusual shape.

``If you look down from an aircraft, you can see the vast green forest, which takes that shape. But I regard this area as a lung, since it is one of the largest `green' spaces around Bangkok,'' said Sumeth Sirilak, an official from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, which is responsible for the Sri Nakhon Kuen Khan public park in Bang Krachao.

Covering 11,810 rai in six sub-districts of Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district, Bang Krachao, which is rich in mangrove palm or ton jaak, can boast that it is one of just a handful of orchards near the capital. It can be reached in just a few minutes by long-tail boat from Klong Toey.

The area was originally known as an early settlement for the Mon people, an ethnic Burmese group who migrated to Thailand more than 200 years ago. Locals can still make a living from the orchards, providing an occupation harmonious with nature. The area is sparsely populated, with only 40,000 residents.

In 1977, the government approved a plan to develop Bang Krachao into a garden city, similar to Singapore's Sentosa Island. About 3.2 billion baht was used in the project, which included a small park called Sri Nakhon Kuenkhan, which was opened in 2003, and a flood prevention wall.

In order to achieve the goal, the government issued a land expropriation decree to reclaim all private property, only to face strong opposition from locals. As a result, only 1,276 rai, accounting for 10% of the total area, was appropriated.

A strict town planning code, which prohibits high-rise buildings and large factories and real estate, contributes enormously to the maintenance of Bang Krachao's ``green'' attributes.

Recently, local conservationists who joined together under the Kraprawh Moo Bang Krachao Environmental Protection Group conducted a campaign for another strict municipal code that, if effective, would oblige residents who cut down trees or clear land for sale to plant new ones.

Charnchai Julameth, head of the group, said Bang Krachao is facing threats and precautions were urgently needed regarding an increase in land development activities. About 20 rai of green space had been destroyed as private land owners levelled their land for sale.

Some land owners had tried to reclaim land, and some had even built private piers over mangrove forest. The group is actively trying to convince the private land owners to save the valuable green space.

``Development brings problems with it. The launch of the industrial ring road project has pushed up land prices. Many people want to level their land for sale,'' said Mr Charnchai, who is also kamnan of Bang Krachao sub-district.

When opened next year, the industrial ring road, which links Suk Sawat Road in Phra Pradaeng district to Rama III Road near Sathon and Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road on the east side, will open up Bang Krachao, making it more appealing to land developers.

Last year, there were reports that a US-based film studio had shown interest in opening a low-rise studio, while several apparently well-off people were said to have begun buying up land on which to build houses.

Mr Sumeth said land prices have increased three-fold over recent years. Riverfront plots could fetch as much as five million baht per rai.