The new Democracy Monument Station plan has come under fire for its likely impact on historic buildings in one of Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods.
The station, previously named Phan Fa Station, is part of the Purple Line electric rail route which will have 17 stations along its 23.6-kilometres from Tao Poon to Rat Burana, linking Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan provinces.
As the line will pass through Rattanakosin Island, residents are concerned the construction will have an impact on the area's historical sites -- in particular, seven old shophouses on Phra Sumen Road in Phra Nakhon district, which the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) plans to demolish.
Opponents of the plan suggested building the station away from the older buildings but the MRTA said that would hurt the station's accessibility.
Before the land on which the buildings stand was expropriated by the MRTA, the shophouses hosted a local store as well as a steamed bun and coffee stall.
A grocer who ran his business from one of the shophouses told the Bangkok Post that the building has been around for at least 80 years.
Surangrat Suriyasomboon, who owned the seven shophouses, said the land belonged to the grandfather of Lek Nana, one of the founders of the Democrat Party.
"We didn't receive as much compensation for the land. We were supposed to receive 100 million baht, but settled for 60 [million baht] in the end," she said.
According to the Fine Arts Department, the shophouses are being considered for listing as historic sites.
The MRTA said that the shophouses will have to be torn down to make way for the station's entrance.
The MRTA has yet to start construction as it is still waiting for the Fine Arts Department to approve its plan.
