Old City Bkk Infrastructure Funding Referendum to Direct Resources Toward Local Construction Jobs and Public Services

Voters across Old City Bkk will consider a single ballot measure on 12 August that authorises the issuance of 450 million baht in municipal bonds for designated infrastructure projects. The measure applies to all registered residents within the Old City Bkk municipal boundaries and would allocate funds through the existing capital works programme administered by the city planning department.

The referendum comes after the 2025-2026 municipal budget recorded a 28 percent shortfall in dedicated infrastructure revenue compared with the prior fiscal year, according to the city treasurer's annual statement released in June. Local government records show that several major road segments near the old market district and the riverfront corridor have been listed for deferred maintenance since 2023.

Projected Effects on Employment and Construction Work

City documents estimate that approved projects would generate approximately 1,200 short-term construction positions over 18 months, concentrated in paving, drainage and public building renovation. These roles would be filled through the standard municipal contracting process that requires prime contractors to advertise openings locally before hiring outside the district. Residents employed in trades or supply firms serving the city would see the direct effect on daily work availability.

Consequences for Transit, Sanitation and Facility Operations

Separate allocations in the bond measure would cover replacement of 14 aging buses on the inner district loop route and upgrades to three sanitation depots. The city fleet report from March states that current bus reliability stands at 71 percent on-time performance; the measure would replace vehicles whose maintenance costs have risen 19 percent year-over-year. Sanitation crews would receive new compactors and storage facilities, changes that the public works division lists as necessary to keep existing collection schedules unchanged.

Policy analysts note that bond repayment would be drawn from the city's general revenue fund, which currently receives 62 percent of its income from property and business rates. The legislation states that annual debt service would begin in the 2027-2028 fiscal year at roughly 38 million baht, an amount the treasurer's office has already incorporated into its five-year forecast.

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible households beginning 20 July, with in-person voting available at the five district polling centres from 8 August through 12 August. The city clerk's office has published the full text of the measure and the project list on its website, and residents may request printed copies by telephone or at the municipal service counter.