Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt conducted his 12th "Governor's Survey (Part 2)" in Bang Bon district on Saturday, focusing on traffic congestion, drainage issues, and environmental improvements in the western Bangkok area.
Accompanied by Narongsak Muangsiri, Bangkok Metropolitan Council member for Bang Bon, along with BMA executives and district officials, the governor examined several key infrastructure challenges facing local residents.
"Traffic issues are a primary concern here since Bang Bon lacks electric train service," Chadchart explained, highlighting problematic areas including the Ekkachai-Bang Bon-Kanchanaphisek route and the Bang Bon 5 Road intersection. He pledged targeted improvements to alleviate congestion in these areas.
The inspection tour included visits to 20 markets serving as trading hubs for vendors from Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi provinces. A significant focus was placed on drainage maintenance ahead of the rainy season, with special attention to grease trap installations at food establishments.
"Fat can clog a drainage manhole within a week, seriously affecting water drainage," Chadchart noted. He outlined the BMA's citywide initiative requiring all restaurants to install grease traps under the 2022 municipal regulation, targeting 5,000 venues across Bangkok's 50 districts by March, with full compliance expected by May.
During the morning survey at Ekkachai Fresh Market, officials confirmed that food vendors were working toward compliance. The governor also promised improvements to Ekkachai-Bang Bon Road, acknowledging that "it is not clean at all" and committing to enhanced maintenance.
At Soi Kamnan Maen 13 community, Chadchart listened to residents' concerns about drainage pipes and canal dredging, promising to expedite solutions. He also addressed the district's significant migrant worker population, emphasising the importance of educational access for their children.
"When they enrol in our schools, we will instil a love for the country and further develop society," he said, recognising migrant workers' crucial contributions to Thailand's development.
The governor's team began the day by planting yellow trumpetbush trees along Kanchanaphisek Road near Bangpakok 8 Hospital, part of the BMA's ambitious project to plant one million trees across Bangkok. As of March 8, participating agencies have exceeded the target with 1.64 million trees planted citywide, including nearly 26,000 in Bang Bon district alone.
Later in the day, the inspection continued in Bang Khun Thian area, where officials examined drainage issues near restaurants and addressed PM2.5 pollution concerns from the Nam Heng Concrete facility. The team also visited public facilities including the park commemorating His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's seventh cycle birthday, inspecting its gym, swimming pool and fitness amenities.
Throughout the visit, Chadchart's team provided consumer goods to vulnerable residents in multiple communities, including Soi Kamnan Maen 13, Khlong Bang Phran Pattana, and Ban Mankong Wimanthong.
Citizens interested in participating in the tree-planting initiative can follow progress or register to join at https://tree.bangkok.go.th/.
