Progress revealed on changing from “Nang Loeng horse racing venue” to “new Bangkok Central Park”
Thai Government has revealed progress on the project “new Bangkok Central Park” that will be located at former Nang Loeng horse racing venue. It should be noted that horse racing betting is a legal gambling that has been with Thai society for a long time. It is also linked in power among politics, business and social status.
Horse racing gambling is one of the important factors that cause organized crimes, especially mafia in Thailand. According to research from Center for Gambling Studies, it showed that each race will have a turnover of between 80–100 million baht. If there are 24 horse races in one year, there will be a circulating bet around 1,900–2,400 million baht. But if there are 48 games, there will be a betting money of 3,800–4,800 million baht. This linked both legal and illegal gambling.
Currently, lease of Nang Loeng horse racing venue has expired a long time ago. The Crown Property Office has coordinated and informed the termination of the lease agreement. Nang Loeng horse racing venue has been demolished since March 2019 and it will be transformed into new urban park to increase green space in Bangkok. New Bangkok Central Park will consist of
- Park with an area of 216 rai
- Monument of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great
- Multi-storey car park
- “Nang Loeng” Community shops
- Ramathibodi hospital parking building
This park is expected to fully open by 2022.
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