New park opened at Mahakan Fort

BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has opened its new public park at the Mahakan Fort. There is also an exhibition on the history of the Rattanakosin Island where the ancient fort stands. Opening the park in the evening of July 24, Bangkok governor Aswin Khwanmuang said the park could be realized due to cooperation from many parties including the Mahakan Fort community that agreed to move out completely in April. After the community evacuation, the BMA conducted landscape gardening at the fort and installed lights, surveillance cameras and public toilets. It also deployed security guards there for public safety. Pol Gen Aswin said the BMA planned to improve nearby houses and was discussing the plan with local residents. Besides, the BMA together with the Fine Arts Department would improve the landscapes of the nearby Mahanak Canal on a distance of 1.8 kilometers through to the Chao Phraya River. Areas along the canal would become public places with easy access, the Bangkok governor said. The BMA was assigned by the government in 1959 to improve the landscape of the 4-rai Mahakan Fort. It announced land expropriation there in 1992. Opposition from local residents delayed the project to this year. The new public park at the fort is opened every day between 5am and 9pm. (TNA)