"Monporn" urges "Harbour Authority" to proceed with the plan to renovate 29 smart passenger piers on the Chao Phraya River with a budget of over 1,214 million baht. Prepare to request a budget for 2025-2026 to renovate another 15 piers to complete them all. Strengthen water transportation in the Bangkok and surrounding areas. Promote water tourism. Create convenience and safety for the public and tourists. Mrs. Manop Jareonsri, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that according to the government's policy to develop piers nationwide, as well as promote tourism and support the transportation of goods and passengers, she has urged the Marine Department to develop 29 piers into Smart Piers with a budget of 1,214.05 million baht to raise the standards and safety of piers on the Chao Phraya River to be Smart Piers that can be linked to other forms of transportation by providing services with a joint ticket system, providing information to users, and designing to support all types of users, including the disabl ed and the disadvantaged, as well as promoting piers to meet standards, allowing people to travel conveniently, quickly, and safely, and helping to promote water tourism in the area. Mr. Kritphet Chaichua, Director-General of the Marine Department, said that the progress of the plan to develop 29 piers into Smart Pier stations with a budget of 1,214.05 million baht. Currently, 9 piers have been completed with a budget of 89.981 million baht, namely, the Marine Department Pier, Saphan Phut Pier, Nonthaburi Pier, Chang Pier, Sathorn Pier, Ratchanee Pier, Phayap Pier, Bang Pho Pier, and Tien Pier. Construction is underway with 5 piers with a budget of 189.017 million baht, namely, Kiak Kai Pier, Phra Ram 7 Pier, Phra Ram 5 Pier, Pinklao Pier, and Pak Kret Pier. It is expected to be completed in 2024-2025. In this regard, a budget allocation of 84.6 million baht has been requested in 2025 to construct 2 piers: Oriental Pier and Thewet Pier. Meanwhile, in fiscal year 2026, there is a plan to construct 13 piers w ith a budget of 265.7 million baht: Ratchawong Pier, Saphan Krung Thon Pier (Sang Hi), Khiao Khai Ka Pier, Phibul Songkhram 1 Pier, Phibul Songkhram 2 Pier, Wat Tuk Pier, Wat Khemma Pier, Wat Sroi Thong Pier, Wat Thepakorn Pier, Wat Thepnari Pier, Railway Pier, Si Phraya Pier, and Phran Nok Pier. In addition, a budget of 584.752 million baht will be requested in 2026-2027 to improve the Marine Department's Water Safety and Traffic Control Operation Center and to install equipment to facilitate and ensure safety at passenger piers on the Chao Phraya River. For the development of the port as a Smart Pier, it will be the renovation of the old port from its long-term use and deterioration, making it a new port with facilities, safety and modernity for users, including the use of architectural design to decorate the port to create beauty. Source: Thai News Agency