An investigation into the struggling "small businesses" along the Orange Line metro construction route reveals heavy impacts including traffic congestion, dust clouds, and narrow pathways, causing a complete loss of customers. They declare "afraid to die before thriving" and call on the new governor to fix the issues.,
Large-scale government projects, especially metro lines in Bangkok, currently lack regulations to support or compensate small businesses and shops located along the construction routes that suffer severe impacts. As a result, these businesses gradually shut down before the projects are completed.
Small vendors on Phetchaburi Road near Ratchathewi intersection took SEE TRUE news team to survey shops that have been closing down as a result of the Orange Line metro construction which began in early 2025.
“This area used to have good sales. For example, the Madinah restaurant had been open for over 10 years but has now closed. It shut down when the Orange Line construction started because they said it was no longer profitable to stay open.” Aneesah Lateh, owner of a restaurant and hostel, showed the news team various shops that have closed since the Orange Line construction reached Phetchaburi Road near Ratchathewi intersection.
She said the shops still trying to stay open face similar conditions: almost no customers because the area has been partially closed off, leaving only narrow walkways where people must squeeze past each other. On top of that, dust from the construction discourages customers from coming.
Her own business—a restaurant with two hostel rooms for rent—remains quiet all day, with only the sounds of construction machinery and Burmese workers overshadowing the silence.
“There are no customers. Normally, at this time (around noon), it would be busy. My customers are mostly foreigners, but since before New Year 2025, it’s been dusty and quiet. Last month, my staff got sick from the heavy dust. Every day there’s loud banging from drilling equipment.”
She emphasized that she does not oppose development, but if large projects cause such severe impacts on small businesses like hers, she hopes there will be support to help sustain these businesses until the project is finished and prosperity arrives.
“No agency has approached us to discuss whether we can continue selling, what damages we have, or how much income has decreased. The voices of locals are not loud enough, and there is no clear policy on assistance.”
She said she once asked the construction company about the impacts on people and businesses along the route, but was told to speak with the project owner. When she called the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, she was told there is no policy to assist affected businesses.
Aneesah took the SEE TRUE news team to another restaurant, which is similarly deserted even during lunchtime.
“We rent, not own. Rent is 25,000 baht per month. We have rented for many years. Before, customers were so many we never had to sit down, but now customers come rarely. Some days I even wait for customers lying down, which I never did before. It’s stressful; I had to borrow money and hustle to pay rent. It’s a headache and stress.”
Maroyi Sa-Lae, owner of a Thai restaurant, which has been operating for many years at Ratchathewi intersection, shared the challenges small businesses like his and others have faced since the Orange Line construction began in early 2025.
Most restaurant customers were foreign tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, especially on weekends. But now, they no longer come because taxis refuse to enter the area due to difficult access.
“I talked with construction supervisors who told me to report to the Rama 9 office (project owner’s office), but I haven’t gone because I don’t know where it is. When I can’t manage anymore, I want to go because I can’t afford the rent.” Maroyi concluded by urging the project owner to help the struggling small businesses.
The news team also spoke with a long-established eyewear shop at Ratchathewi intersection heavily affected by the project. Regular customers avoid the area due to travel difficulties, and new customers are nonexistent since the construction zone seems unsuitable for any shops.
“Most of our customers are regulars, but even they find it hard to come now. They say they want to come, but their family won’t bring them because it’s difficult to get here; no taxis are available and access is tough,” said Chatporn Kasemprasatporn, the eyewear shop owner, describing the hardships and how revenue has dropped by more than half.
“For example, monthly sales that used to reach several hundred thousand baht have dropped by half, sometimes by 75 percent. It’s not enough to cover expenses. Normally, if the disruption lasted a year or two, it would be tolerable, but the project is expected to take five or six years, causing long-term damage.”
In addition, dust and vibrations from construction affect the health and mental well-being of everyone in their households.
“We ask for help because the disruption is long-term. We want compensation for lost income. They must assist because our expenses remain constant,” Chatporn pleaded, urging the project owner to support those affected.
The Orange Line metro section from Bang Khun Non to Cultural Center began construction in late 2024 with a five-year timeline, scheduled for completion in 2030. However, after only one year, small businesses near Ratchathewi intersection have suffered severe impacts, with some unable to bear costs and closing down.
Although Thailand currently lacks regulations to support small businesses affected by large construction projects, there are examples abroad: the Los Angeles Metro subway project in the U.S. established a fund to compensate affected small businesses, and the U.K.'s high-speed rail project set up a fund to assist affected communities.
These small business owners now hope Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, as the landowner—especially the new governor—will intervene and coordinate with project owners to find ways to help sustain these small businesses until construction is complete, as their voices may be too faint for project owners to hear.
Follow the SEE TRUE mission for the special episode “A Better Bangkok” airing continuously from 9 to 22 June 2026 on Thairath News Show after 9:00 p.m., available on Thairath News YouTube channel and Thairath Facebook page.