“We previously did not take the project’s side because we misunderstood it. We thought it was a walkway or bicycle lane that would disconnect our community from the river,” Sam Sen riverside community head Weerasak Harnchokchaiskul told a press conference.

He said his community could participate in the project via discussions in which they could voice opinions, suggestions and perhaps objections to the project’s design, with the possibility of adjustments being made to the design.

He said most people in the community are happy with the amended design including lowering the flood barriers along the river. The project also promised to preserve the community’s unique lifestyle, enhance residents’ quality of life and reopen piers. Many amendments were done to ensure the project would fulfil residents’ needs.

“People here are not affected by this project and don’t need to relocate their homes like some other riverside communities,” he said.

Ronnachai Nilbut, 13, who has lived in the community his entire life, said: “I know a lot about the project because I always follow the information [about it] via the community’s public relation radio and the ‘Thailand Moves Forward’ TV programme.”

He said he had participated in every conference between the project staff and the community, and the community was satisfied with the project.

Chandhra Miswa, 67, who has lived in the community for five decades, said: “At first I was a little bit worried about flooding due to the lowering of the flood barriers, but after attending the conferences and seeing what the plan looks like, I agree with this project.”

Ronnarit Dhanakoses, Chao Phraya Heritage Centre director and landscape architect, said Bangkok had been developed without balance.

“Based on old folks’ wisdom and knowledge of water management, the project plan for this area will focus on preserving and developing the lifestyle of [riverside] communities by using advanced technology,” he said.

Ronnarit said the flood barrier, built after the 2011 flood obscuring river scenery, would be lowered and Thai-style wooden balconies would be built. He said the lowered barrier would not be as effective in preventing flooding so a mangrove forest would be planted to help prevent riverbank erosion.

The project would enhance the cultural landscape and people would be more connected to the river, he said.

Ronnarit said Dutch water specialists had helped design floating structures with buoys to make the river once again suitable for living by offsetting the impact motor-powered boats have on the river in a bid to bring back the tradition of people living on boats.

“Living on the water is the best way to live because if Bangkok subsided due to an increased water level some day, those who live on boats would survive while others may not make it,” he said.

He said the project would also include the Chao Phraya Heritage Museum and Knowledge Centre, which would detail the history of riverside communities.

He added that the first phase of the project would be implemented by the end of September.

The project will run 57 kilometres along the Chao Phraya River and its pilot area is a 14km section from the Rama 7 Bridge to the Phra Pinklao Bridge, which includes the Sam Sen community.