Duang Prateep Foundation

Where and How Will the People Live?

Duang Prateep Foundation would like to thank the Minister for Transportation, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), Mr. Decha Prukpatanarat, for participating in a 20 August meeting to listen to the housing needs of the people who live on PAT land but who will soon need to permanently vacate their homes so the land can be converted to commercial uses. Discussions and exchanges of views on housing management strategies for the community were spirited, and several proposals were put forth among the attendees, who included Khru Prateep, Ms. Somsuk Boonyabancha (Community Organizations Development Institute), Mr. Bhuntin Noumjerm (M.P. for the Klong Toey and Wattana Districts), President of the Asrom Silp Institute, President of the Housing Cooperative, Community Organization Council representatives and Community leaders.

Mr. Phiphat said maximizing the utility of the area requires a balanced approach that considers the lifestyles, livelihoods and future of the local community, alongside the core mission and long-term development strategies of the PAT, rather than focusing solely on land value or commercial development.

The Klong Toey Housing Network proposed five additional points.

1. Enshrine the Right to Housing in the Thai Constitution.

2. Change the city zoning color code that would affect the housing taxation of low-income people.

3. Affected parties to present issues from the impact of the S1 expressway urban development project.

4. A proposal was made to designate the area as a “Community Land Title Deed” zone, and to have Klong Toey (Social Enterprise) manage it, to instill confidence among the residents.

5. The community people would like PAT to share 20% of its 2,335 Rai (373.6 hectares) of land, for land sharing for building “Klong Toey – New City”.

Mr. Phiphat responded that he would take all five issues under consideration.