Bangkok Post : Ministry proposes to build shelters for 300 homeless

SANAM LUANG

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry is offering to build temporary shelters for nearly 300 homeless people from Sanam Luang.

People take a nap at a centre for the homeless near Bangkok Noi railway station in Bangkok. The facility is being expanded to accommodate more homeless people relocated from Sanam Luang ahead of its planned renovation. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

The ministry planned to build two shelters, worth about 4 million baht each, on State Railway of Thailand (SRT) land in Bangkok Noi district, Minister Issara Somchai yesterday said.

The move comes after homeless people at Sanam Luang were ordered to leave the area to pave the way for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) renovation of the ground.

The minister said the Community Organisations Development Institute (Codi) would be responsible for the construction, which was expected to be finished within four months before the coming rainy season.

"The construction will start immediately after the SRT allows the ministry to use the land," Mr Issara said.

Each shelter could accommodate 150 people and the homeless would be allowed to live there for a maximum of two years, he said.

During the construction period, the Sanam Luang homeless could live at ministry-run shelters for the poor such as Ban Mitr Maitri in Din Daeng or Ban Srang Okas at On Nut.

Deputy BMA Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said he would ask the SRT for permission to use the land on Thursday.

"I can assure that the SRT will understand and agree with our construction plan," he said.

In a January survey, about 961 homeless people were staying at Sanam Luang. Since the renovation announcement, some have moved elsewhere and their number has fallen to 300, including children, the elderly, the disabled and drug users who came from other provinces, working as scavengers and hawkers.