People from communities by the river where the 14-kilometre project will be undertaken, plus academics and all stakeholders raised their concerns about the promenade in a forum, titled “The River Will Not Flow Backward”, held by the River Assembly and ASTV News One at ASTV head office on Monday.

Kraisak Choonhavan, from the Bangkok Art and Culture Foundation, said the project was a major misstep, as it applies a single plan for a promenade along an entire sweep of the river. So, it would destroy some of the city’s heritage roots forever.

“The government did not really listen to the voices of local people and did not understand the true value of the heritage that we have. I don’t entirely protest against the riverside promenade, but the project must respect the local people and the promenade be built according to the nature of the river and historic heritage of the area,” Kraisak said.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, a representative of the tourism business sector, agreed that the promenade should suit the existing heritage of the Chao Phraya, as the river was already beautiful and unique.

“The Chao Phraya River is the main tourist attraction of Bangkok, but the one-size-fits-all promenade plan will destroy the charm of the river, rather than boost tourism,” Marisa said.

Under the project’s Terms of Reference, the riverside promenade will be up to 10 metres wide and 14km long. It will run from Rama VII Bridge to the Pinklao Bridge.

It is one of the transport development projects listed in the government’s 20-year national strategy plan and due to be implemented by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The BMA said they are now seeking a firm to build the project. Officials estimated that construction would begin in August.