Bangkok Governor Addresses 'Monkey Cheek' Flood Mitigation Project Concerns

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently addressed public concerns regarding the status of 'monkey cheek' (kaem ling) water retention projects in the capital. Responding to online discussions about potential project cancellations, the Governor clarified that the city’s flood mitigation strategy remains guided by technical assessments rather than arbitrary policy shifts.

According to Matichon Online, the Governor highlighted that implementing these retention areas on private land presents significant logistical and financial challenges. Specifically, he noted that acquiring the necessary private property for these projects would require an estimated budget of 11 billion baht. Due to these fiscal limitations, the administration must prioritize technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness when selecting sites for flood management infrastructure.

For residents and visitors, this clarification underscores the ongoing complexity of managing Bangkok’s seasonal flood risks. While the city continues to work on water drainage systems, the reliance on private land acquisition remains a major hurdle for large-scale retention projects. It remains to be confirmed how the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will adjust its long-term flood prevention roadmap in light of these budgetary constraints and whether alternative, less land-intensive solutions will be prioritized in the coming months.