Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) oppose proposed double‑deck Ngamwongwan–Rama 9 expressway
Groups cite safety risks, lack of transparency
The Union of Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) and consumer advocates have slammed the proposed double‑deck Ngamwongwan–Rama 9 expressway, citing safety hazards and withheld environmental impact reports.
The union met the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) on Friday to hear concerns from more than 1,000 families living in communities beneath Bangkok’s expressways. The discussion centred on the 17‑kilometre project, which has passed the Public–Private Partnership Committee and is awaiting cabinet review.
Thiwalak Pumwaree, secretary of the Ratchathewi community network, said residents fear intermittent road closures that could endanger communities during emergencies, block ambulances and fire trucks, and disrupt daily mobility. Although residents requested the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) last December, they have still not received the full report. Ms Thiwalak urged developers to disclose all information and consider those most affected.
“The people should receive complete information. Why can’t the EIA be revealed to the public? What would you do to allow locals to live normally?” she asked.
Exat union president Banthit Phrunglamphu described the project as lacking transparency, saying only a small team within Exat is driving it forward despite its multibillion‑baht scale and major impact.
He said the concession contract contains conditions that could harm the public through higher tolls and repeated contract extensions. Construction is expected to take four years and would bring major risks to both local communities and traffic in Bangkok’s inner area.
TCC secretary‑general Saree Aongsomwang said public funds should be used to strengthen affordable mass transit, not bind citizens to 22 more years of expressway tolls.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3147574/exat-union-tcc-oppose-doubledeck-expressway
