Published: 16/10/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul have got people talking with their plan to build the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.
MR Sukhumbhand wants the Bangkok Eye to be one of 16 projects that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will carry out to celebrate the seventh birthday cycle of His Majesty the King on Dec 5 next year.
The others include a Sky Walk pedestrian bridge across the Chao Phraya River between Tha Phra Chan and Phran Nok piers, a building project at Bang Khunthian Hospital, a sports complex in the Samae Dam area, a learning centre in Bang Khunthian and a Siam Square-Sam Yan monorail.
According to Bangkok Deputy Governor Pornthep Techapaibul, Mr Chavarat wants the BMA to build an observation Ferris wheel as a landmark. The BMA has formed a committee headed by Thaya Teepasuwan, another deputy governor, to study the possibility.
“The BMA foresees it being like the London Eye. It will be a giant Ferris wheel with passenger capsules for sightseeing. It will be the tallest in the world, as high as 176 metres and higher than the London Eye, which is 150 metres,” Mr Pornthep said.
Regarding its possible location, Mr Pornthep said the BMA was contacting liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who owns an empty plot of about 10 rai by the Chao Phraya River near Charoen Krung Road.
MR Sukhumbhand proposes the compound of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center that covers hundreds of rai as a suitable location.
Officials from London have visited Bangkok and proposed the structure be built by the river. This has prompted the BMA to eye the compound of the Royal Thai Navy Club, but City Hall has not finalised its choice.
The project is estimated to cost 30 billion baht and Mr Pornthep thinks the BMA may need the government’s financial support or private partnership.
However, the Bangkok Eye has drawn opposition. In the last House session, some representatives viewed the idea as idiotic.
“Thirty billion baht will be wasted. How can they think about building it by the Chao Phraya River? Don’t they know that sacred places are nearby, especially the Grand Palace? Will they let a tall frame overlook such places? Importantly, have they thought about the security of the [royal] institution?” said an MP who asked not to be named.
He cited the recent grenade attack that hit the Defence Ministry but reportedly targeted the Grand Palace.
Criticism was also posted on community networking sites.
One said: "You would be better off spending on long-term flood prevention. Thirty billion baht should not be wasted. Save money.
"Don’t build it at Tha Chang because nearby are the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Rakhang and Wat Chaeng. Any structure built to overlook these places of worship will bring about more bad luck to the nation. People are worshipping. How can they let sightseers sit overhead?
“The 30 billion baht should be spent on improving the quality of life of people in Bangkok?”
MR Sukhumbhand said the wheel was the idea of a private company that also proposed to invest. The company would find a location and seek approval from the BMA.
“I think it is a good proposal because the BMA will not have to do anything. Importantly, I insist that the project will not be realised on Rattanakosin Island,” he said, referring to the area where historical sites including the Grand Palace are located.
Bron: Bangkok Post