The Democrat Party spokesperson demands four points from Phiphat, warning him not to falsely claim management of communities around Bangkok Port and exclude the genuine residents from accessing meetings and expressing their opinions.
On 20 Sep 2026 at the Democrat Party office, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, the party spokesperson, addressed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s statement regarding the management of 26 communities around Bangkok Port, saying that the communities reportedly did not oppose relocation. He called on Phiphat to take four actions: 1. Stop making unilateral conclusions from closed meetings and refrain from prematurely declaring that all community residents agree to eviction. The claim that communities do not oppose is based on inviting only selected people to attend closed-room meetings and concluding results among themselves, while in reality, genuine residents are barred from attending and voicing their opinions. 2. Demand the organization of a public forum in Khlong Toei to genuinely listen to the voices of the true local residents, allowing real participation rather than consulting a few individuals and using their opinions to represent the entire community. 3. Reconsider the "entertainment complex" development plan, which states there will be no casinos. He questioned why the development does not start with other immediately usable vacant areas but targets demolishing the original residences of all residents in the “Dragon Belly” area (according to Feng Shui) first. 4. Bangkok needs public spaces and affordable housing, not more shopping malls. Although the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has stated it will build replacement housing and relocate residents in phases, the key point is that Bangkok does not need more shopping malls; its citizens want public spaces, parks, and affordable housing that is genuinely accessible.
"Because sustainable urban development must arise from participation, not from shortcuts and ignoring the voices of local people, I urge the government and relevant agencies to reconsider this approach and come down to listen directly and honestly to the problems from the residents themselves." The Democrat Party spokesperson said.