Khunying Sudarat warns Governor Chadchart that canal expansion and giant tunnel projects cannot replace the 'monkey cheeks' flood retention areas. She urges the Bangkok governor to amend the new city plan to restore the 'monkey cheeks' and Flood Way systems for the people of Bangkok.
6 Oct 2026 GMT+7 Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan Chairperson of the Thai-Pueng-Thai Foundation, former leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, and former minister, posted a message onFacebookstating that the disappearance of 'monkey cheeks' flood retention areas and the 'Flood Way' system from the new city plan means that from now on, Bangkok residents will inevitably face permanent and chronic flooding pressures. It is time for those responsible to seriously find ways to protect the capital from flooding. An important tool is designing the city plan to address flood issues and establishing an efficient drainage system.
Khunying Sudarat further revealed that it is very disappointing that the new Bangkok city plan greatly reduces the eastern Flood Way from 240 square kilometers, or about 100,000 rai, to only 50 square kilometers, or about 30,000 rai. On the western side, or Thonburi side, none remains. Moreover, the six planned 'monkey cheeks' sites do not appear in the new plan, though originally they could hold 5-6 million cubic meters of water. If this city plan is enacted, disaster will immediately strike Bangkok, and flooding will worsen.
As one who responded to the royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej during her tenure as Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for Bangkok, she recalled that the 'monkey cheeks' project was first granted by royal initiative on 14 November 1995. This was an incomparable royal grace. After that, she and the then Bangkok governor, along with the State Railway of Thailand and the Royal Irrigation Department, implemented the first royal initiative 'monkey cheeks' project in Bangkok at 'Makkasan Pond,' followed by the development of 'Nong Bon Pond.'
"I therefore affirm that the 'monkey cheeks' and Flood Way systems under the royal initiative are necessary and must be fully implemented. The explanation by Governor Chadchart (Sitthiphan) that the 'monkey cheeks' projects are costly and not worthwhile, and that canal expansion and giant tunnels will replace them, I oppose based on experience. They are not interchangeable because 'monkey cheeks' are like water bottles that store water to hold back in case drainage is insufficient during heavy rain or high tides, whereas canals and giant tunnels are like straws that transport water out of the bottle. Their functions differ and cannot replace each other. The Flood Way system, covering the east, west, and south of Bangkok, channels floodwaters from the north and helps eastern Bangkok residents outside the royal flood embankments and people on the Thonburi side receiving floodwaters from Nonthaburi avoid flooding as currently experienced."
Khunying Sudarat further stated that without the 'monkey cheeks' and Flood Way serving as temporary water storage, water will instead flood villages and communities, as seen in Romklao Housing, Khlong Chan, and many other neighborhoods. Therefore, what Bangkok should do is find ways to increase 'monkey cheeks' areas and preserve the Flood Way corridors by fully following King Rama IX's royal initiative to help Bangkok residents avoid flooding.
Although many have started questioning Governor Chadchart whether the new city plan favors certain investors, she urges fairness to the governor and gives him a chance to correct the plan during the public consultation period by restoring the 'monkey cheeks' and Flood Way areas for the people of Bangkok.