Residents Against Roads!
A new Chiang Mai city plan for road widening from the Interior Ministry is being dramatically narrowed by public opinion.
Last year, with no local consultation with residents, the appropriate Ministry department announced plans to widen 35 city centre roads, involving the demolition of hundreds of historic buildings, including some temples.
A group named Raksa Ban Raksa (’to protect our nation’) has been formed to fight the moves, one of which would totally alter Thapae Road, a major city centre artery. The movement has attracted support from all apects of city centre Thai society.
The group claims that following their protests, 27 of the 35 roads have been removed from the plan and the extended widths of 5 others have been reduced. More announcements on the plan are expected within 4 weeks.
