High-rises to replace old apartments in Din Daeng | Bangkok Post: news

High-rises to replace old apartments in Din Daeng

Old flats in Din Daeng will soon be demolished to make way for new high-rises built by two state agencies to provide homes for low- to middle-income earners.

Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan yesterday said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Housing Authority (NHA) to jointly use land along electric rail routes for the housing project.

The aim is to build the high rises on land where the old Din Daeng flats are currently situated.

The land is located along the planned Orange Line (Bang Khunnon-Bang Kapi-Min Buri), said Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat, who oversees the NHA.

The NHA will also find a new site to accommodate tenants who will have to move out of the 50-year old flats in Din Daeng to pave the way for the new housing project.

Under the plan, 30-storey apartment buildings will be built on the land, he said.

The agency will give first priority to the tenants of the old Din Daeng flats.

The NHA had earlier gauged views from the tenants and found 80% backed the project.

The 20% who opposed it were mostly owners who rented out their properties to tenants.

The agency has set aside some 3 billion baht to develop the high rises for the poor.

Construction is expected to begin in 2014.

Mr Santi refused to divulge how much each new apartment will cost, but said the prices would be much cheaper than those of private developers.