People’s Party MP submits petition to political development Committee over Thonburi wastewater treatment project

photo:SAP NEWS

(SAP News - Sukritta Tangteerawan)On 24th September 2025, at 1:30 PM at the Parliament House, Ms. Pavitra Jittakit, a Bangkok MP from the People's Party, along with representatives of residents affected by “the Thonburi Wastewater Treatment Construction Project”, submitted a petition to the Parliamentary Committee on political development seeking solutions to alleviate the suffering of the people.

The Thonburi Wastewater Treatment Construction Project is overseen by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage. It is considered a major project, with a total budget, including consultant fees, of nearly 8 billion baht, funded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. According to the original plan, the project was scheduled to be completed in early 2025 and was expected to benefit the public.

In reality, however, the project has faced delays and is likely to require at least a one-year contract extension. These facts were not publicly communicated, and residents were not informed. Locals stated that they had requested the installation of a sign showing the project's timeframe, but only a project name sign, without a completion date, was ever put up. The project has left behind abandoned structures in various areas, posing "risks to both lives and property" of people living in the construction zones.

Problems arising from the construction have affected districts such as Bang Phlat, Thonburi, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok Noi, and Bangkok Yai. These include flooding, foul smells from polluted water, mosquitoes, and deserted areas, which have led to increased crime and drug conspiring. Even though district offices and police have been working hard to address the issues, they have not been able to fully resolve them for the people.

A coordinator from the Bangkok Yai district commented, “This wastewater treatment project is turning into a waste project itself.” He pleaded with Bangkok city officials to step in and act as mediators to alleviate public hardship, instead of shifting responsibility to contractors and forcing residents to sign unfair repair agreements. He stressed that over six districts on the Thonburi side are now disaster-affected zones.

In closing, MP Pawitra addressed the Governor of Bangkok, “You once said you would penalize project delays. So I wonder, why haven’t you done it yet? What are you afraid of?” She urged the Committee on political development to treat this issue as an urgent priority to relieve the suffering of the affected citizens.

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