• 
• 

Phublished on August 30,2007

the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had been told to expropriate the land and turn the fourrai area behind the fort into a park.

Following a 13-year battle to remain in this area of Rattanakosin Island, the residents' hopes rose when Governor Apirak Kosayodhin signed a contract to look into conserving the neighbourhood as a "living museum".

However, all hope evaporated when the Council of State's ruled that the city could not use the 10 plots for the "living museum" project, a source at the City Hall said on Wednesday.

If there is no clear solution, the source said the BMA would have to compensate the 29 households, who refused to move out, and proceed with the park construction.

If the 57 households - 28 of which have already been com¬pensated and have handed their titles over - refuse to leave, the city would have to demolish the homes, the source said.

"We've tried to help the residents remain, but the Council of State has overruled our plans.  If we don't do take the land over, the city itself will be breaking a law," the source said.

Currently, a public park covers two rai, while residents dwell in the other two rai.

The Nation