The project will cost about Bt2 billion to convert the plots of land, renovate rundown shophouses and improve the surrounding areas.
“The revitalisation is part of improving the surrounding area around the Grand Palace,” said Oranuch Im-arrom, a senior head of Conservation Management at the Crown Property Bureau (CPB).
“Some heritage places such as the historic Tha Tien market, with heritage shophouses, have been standing for more than 100 years. It is rundown and dirty due to misuse.”
A presentation by the CPB showed the old marketplace looking messy, especially along the river, as tenants have added balconies, ill-kept decks and advertising banners.
The area needs a redesign to enhance the function, accessibility, aesthetics and landscape of the historic market, which is noted for being the first commercial port of Siam, Oranuch said.
The CPB has already renovated the historic neo-classical shophouses and plans a sizeable courtyard for landscape designers and architects to beautify.
“We will build up the open-air market in order to keep the spirit of the marketplace as a loud and sprawling scene,” Oranuch said. “But the new marketplace will be cleaner – and more stylish – than the old one.”
Underground parking for up to 700 vehicles will be constructed Nagaraphirom Park, opposite Tha Tien market, and the park’s few remaining heritage buildings will be developed into a recreation centre.
“The development of Nagaphirom Park is aimed for the best view of Wat Arun – or the Temple of Dawn – on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River,” a senior head of Conservation Management said.
“The historic buildings will be converted into a museum of masked dance.”
The bureau also plans to redevelop shophouses in the Tha Chang and Na Pha Lan areas.
“The bureau regained some plots of land from former tenants at Tha Chang,” Oranuch said. “The new building, with its neo-classic design, will be established for dining and a shopping arcade.”
The revitalisation project is expected to completed in 2018.