Politics
Thonglor District Council Approves Sidewalk Improvement Ordinance, Works Slated for Late 2026
Thonglor residents along Thonglor Road and adjacent sois will encounter phased construction zones starting in October with full lighting and path upgrades completed by March 2027.
How we reported this
The Thonglor District Council on 8 July approved the Sidewalk Improvement Ordinance 2026, directing 85 million baht toward repairs and lighting upgrades on Thonglor Road and Sukhumvit Soi 55. The measure applies directly to property owners within 200 metres of the designated corridors and to all pedestrians using those routes for daily travel.
The vote followed the district's receipt of its portion of the national infrastructure maintenance allocation in June, which requires local councils to commit funds before the end of the current fiscal quarter. Council records show the ordinance passed with support from both the infrastructure and finance committees after review of the 2025 pedestrian safety data.
Changes Residents Will Encounter
Property owners will receive formal notices by 15 August outlining temporary access restrictions during construction hours of 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Commuters who use the footpaths to reach the Thonglor BTS station or nearby markets can expect narrowed walkways and detours around work zones once crews begin excavation in October. Street vendors operating within the affected segments must relocate to designated holding areas during the same period.
The district's 2025 annual safety report recorded 47 pedestrian incidents along the targeted stretches, providing the baseline figure used to justify the allocation. Budget documents released after the meeting itemise 52 million baht for concrete resurfacing, 23 million baht for LED lighting installation, and 10 million baht for drainage adjustments at intersections.
Implementation Schedule
Procurement documents will be published on 1 August, with contractor selection expected by 30 September. The government projects the first visible works, including removal of damaged paving stones, to commence on 15 October. Full operational use of the new surfaces and lighting is listed for 31 March 2027 in the ordinance's implementation annex.
Residents seeking further details may review the full ordinance text on the district website from 10 July onward. Any adjustments to the timeline will be announced through the same channel at least 14 days in advance.