Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, went to the Ong Ang Canal area to drive the short-medium-long term development plan after there was a social trend leading to criticism that Bangkok had allowed “Ong Ang Canal” to lose its value as a landmark of Bangkok.

People sent pictures of cars parked along the Ong Ang Canal. We would like to clarify that the said area is the area of additional and unfinished construction work of the Drainage Department, which BMA has not yet received from the contractor. However, the district has instructed contractors including the Public Works Department to take over the work on beautifying the pedestrian walkway. This phase of the extension work will allow the original Ong Ang Canal to be connected to the Bang Lamphu Canal to the north. It includes connecting the Saphan Han, Phahurat to Sam Yot, Pratu Phi, and Bang Lamphu areas together. It is a route that will allow people to walk and connect the neighborhoods continuously until they become an economic, commercial, and tourism area. Additionally, if completely completed, the Ong Ang Canal route will be a walking route connecting from the Thonburi side across the Chao Phraya River and ending at Khao San Road. At the moment, the garden and walkway connect the Pak Khlong Talad area along the Chao Phraya River, which has many responsible agencies such as the Environment Bureau, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Wat Liap Electricity Authority, the Urban Planning and Development Office, the Marine Department, and the Rural Roads Department have assigned the Environment Office to be the host for gathering and coordinating operations with the agencies to build a connection with Ong Ang Canal using the 2025 budget for operations.

Deputy Governor of Bangkok It goes on to say that the heart has an identity that arises from the people in the local community. If shops outside of the area were to be organized as events or markets, it would not be sustainable in the long run. It can only be a short-term stimulus from time to time. Therefore, the integration of local people to create an identity is important such as the Ong Ang canal in the Saphan Han section where people gather to open Indian restaurants, organize Little India events to attract tourists or the Songwat area, Pak Khlong Talat, Sampeng, Yaowarat, Talat Noi, Kadi Chin, Bang Pho, Bang Mot, Hua Takhe and many more in the policy of creative districts that are bustling with tourists. It’s not because of organizing an event, but because it has its own identity. Most recently, street art was created by an Irish artist with whom people in the Saphan Lek side of the community collaborated. BMA welcomes all opinions and will use them to improve further. As for the future stimulation and development plan, Phra Nakhon District and Samphanthawong District will work together to develop further.

Progress in integrating the management of the Ong Ang Canal area, including measures to promote tourism recovery in the area as noted, the Phra Nakhon District Office has visited the area to create understanding with leaders such as former traders in the Saphan Lek area, entrepreneurs in nearby areas planning to revive the Ong Ang Canal Walking Street. Measures have been put in place to promote the recovery of tourism in the area, planned in 3 phases: short-term: within 2 months, which begins with the introduction of the identity of Saphan Lek in organizing festivals and activities before the upcoming Songkran Festival. Medium-term: Within 4 months, which will be used to evaluate and adjust activity formats after the completion of short-term activities, along with meetings with leaders and traders on ways to continue the sustainable walking street. For example, experimenting with organizing short activities during the weekend with all leaders and the district office acting as consultants. Long-term: within 6-8 months, which allows leaders to manage themselves. At the end of 8 months, there will be a final evaluation before lessons learned and further expansion in other areas.