Mallika ventures into Makkasan! Inspects 140 rai of abandoned forest land and announces the "50 District Parks" agenda to transform vacant land across Bangkok into new lungs for the public.
At 10:00 a.m. on 23 June 2026, Dr. Mallika Boonmitraku Mahasuk, candidate number 14 for Bangkok governor, visited the Makkasan area in Ratchathewi district beside the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station to inspect approximately 140 rai of unused State Railway of Thailand land, much of which is currently underutilized.
Dr. Mallika said that if entrusted by the public as Bangkok governor, she would push forward the "50 District Parks" agenda, making it a key city mission through cooperation between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, government agencies, and the private sector to lease or request use of idle spaces to develop public parks, forest parks, health parks, sports fields, activity plazas, and green spaces close to residents' homes.
"Bangkok still has many abandoned lands, including State Railway property, government assets, and privately owned vacant land. If managed creatively, these can become community lungs, improving quality of life, reducing urban heat islands, and providing exercise spaces immediately. The city can lease these lands similarly to how private companies lease concessions, but this agenda will have Bangkok Metropolitan Administration leasing these areas for public benefit," she explained.
Candidate number 14 noted that Bangkok’s green space per capita is lower than many leading world cities, so it is essential to rapidly increase public green areas accessible to residents in every district equally.
The State Railway of Thailand is among the largest landowners in the country, holding approximately 246,880 rai nationwide. Of this, about 201,868 rai are used for main operations like tracks and stations, while around 45,012 rai could be developed or used otherwise. Commercially viable and developable land totals more than 33,761 rai, spread across many provinces.
Dr. Mallika said some of this land could be used for social and environmental benefits alongside economic development, especially urban areas where residents seek parks and nearby recreation spaces.
This policy will be promoted as a pilot model across all 50 Bangkok districts under the concept "Green city near home, walkable to every community." It aims to survey all vacant government land within the first six months and create a central green space database for Bangkok to allow transparent public progress tracking.
"Every square meter of abandoned land must be restored to serve the public. Bangkok needs more lungs, not just more concrete," Dr. Mallika said.
In Bangkok, well-known large parcels include about 497 rai in Makkasan, with approximately 150 rai allocated to the high-speed train linking three airports; about 2,325 rai in Bang Sue, the largest State Railway development site in Bangkok; over 2,000 rai in Phahonyothin area; along the Bang Sue–Klong Tan (RCA) corridor; and several commercial sites planned for development spanning hundreds more rai.
Therefore, focusing on large parcels in Bangkok alone, State Railway land with development potential totals no less than 5,000–6,000 rai, with many smaller plots along railway lines, some of which remain abandoned or underutilized.