Bangkok’s Bueng Khu Bon: From Flood Retention to Residential Development
A long-standing flood retention area in eastern Bangkok has been removed from the city's latest urban planning map, sparking debate over land use and development.
According to a report by Prachachat Business, the 'Bueng Khu Bon' area in eastern Bangkok has been officially removed from the city's new urban planning map. For over a decade, this site was designated as a 'monkey cheek' (kaem ling)—a vital flood retention basin intended to manage water runoff in the eastern part of the capital.
The removal of this designation marks a significant shift in land-use policy, as the area is now being transitioned toward residential housing development. This change has triggered public debate regarding the necessity of the project, the potential impact on flood management in the surrounding districts, and the economic rationale behind the decision to abandon the original expropriation plans for water storage.
For residents and those considering property in the area, this development highlights a major change in local infrastructure planning. While the land is now slated for housing, the long-term implications for local drainage and flood resilience remain a point of concern. It is currently unclear how the city plans to compensate for the loss of this retention capacity or what specific environmental assessments were conducted prior to the zoning change. Further updates from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration regarding flood mitigation strategies in the eastern zone are expected to clarify the situation.
