Pedestrian pathway finds ideal balance in Saen Saep area
The Bangkok canal walkway project, a 47.5-kilometre long canal-side walkway and cycle path, is transforming the cityscape and offering a greener commuting alternative. Stretching from Phra Nakhon to Nong Jok, this extensive route is set to promote safe, sustainable transport and reconnect communities [3][4].
As of mid-2025, the project has made significant strides. The walkway and cycle path have been officially unveiled and are operational in some sections, improving the daily commute for many residents [3]. Urban renewal efforts by Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration (BMA), led by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, are also underway. These efforts include expanding sidewalks, enhancing pedestrian bridges, and improving pedestrian flow [1][2].
However, the project faces some delays due to aging underground infrastructure, such as old gas pipes that require relocation by PTT (Petroleum Authority of Thailand). Completion of critical sections near expressways and major roadways like Phaholyothin and Lat Phrao is expected around end of July or August 2025 [1][2].
The canal walkway project promises numerous benefits, enhancing urban livability by providing safer, greener routes for pedestrians and cyclists. This encourages non-motorized transport, which can reduce traffic congestion and pollution. The project integrates with ongoing urban improvements such as the undergrounding of power lines, improving the visual environment and freeing up sidewalk space [1][2].
Flood mitigation is also being addressed through drainage improvements along related roadways, reducing chronic flooding near major shopping areas and intersections [2]. Pedestrian bridges and pathways are becoming more accessible and spacious, providing residents with better connectivity through the city’s neighbourhoods.
By 2027, the city aims to integrate the canal walkway with major transport systems like the MRT, BTS, and ferry piers. The ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian infrastructure around major roads like Lat Phrao and Phaholyothin, areas well served by public transit, suggest a strategic alignment of the walkway project with public transport hubs [5].
For daily commuters like Kittiporn Boonmaitree, an office worker who travels using the canal path daily, the walkway offers a stress-free, time-saving alternative. The walk to the university takes about 20 minutes, and Kittiporn finds the morning walk lovely [4]. In some areas, peaceful waterfront spots have emerged as hidden retreats in the bustling city.
For street food vendor Rungnapa Prasitchai, the walkway makes the area feel safer and helps with her business. The increased footfall during the early evening attracts more customers [4]. Pradit Sukjai, a 56-year-old retiree living in a nearby apartment, walks the canal path every morning. He often tells his daughter that he feels more at home with the walkway and people around him [4].
The project is part of Bangkok's vision for a liveable, connected city. The current phase of the project involves construction of reinforced concrete embankments, drainage systems, and pathways that connect neighbourhoods to transport hubs, schools, and markets [4]. As the project progresses, it is expected to provide substantial benefits in terms of green commuting, urban aesthetics, and flood mitigation, reflecting Bangkok’s broader urban renewal goals towards sustainability and better mobility [1][2][3][5].
The canal walkway project's integration with major transport systems such as the MRT, BTS, and ferry piers by 2027 will undeniably encourage the use of home-and-garden appliances like e-bikes and scooters for a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing the need for personal vehicles in the industry sector.
Upon completion, the enhanced pedestrian bridges and spacious pathways will not only improve the daily lifestyle of residents by offering a safer, greener transport alternative, but also boost local businesses by attracting more customers in transportation hubs like Lat Phrao and Phaholyothin.
