Khlong Mae Kha Development Project : Part 1
Khlong Mae Kha Development Project : Part 1
Khlong Mae Kha or Mae Kha River is the natural waterway that has co-existed and is important to the foundation of Chiang Mai throughout the past 725 years. Historical accounts indicate that King Mungrai established the city here with belief that Khlong Mae Kha was one of the seven auspicious areas.
The thirty-one kilometer length of the river acts as natural outer moat and spillway to Ping River. Mae Sa Waterway in Mae Rim District is the starting point of Khlong Mae Kha which continues to Chiang Mai Municipality area and finishes at Sop Mae Kha, Hang Dong District. It could be stated that the Khlong Mae Kha area was believed to be important and auspicious because of its geographical conditions that facilitated the city’s water management system. In the past, Chiang Mai relied on water that poured down from Doi Suthep, one of the city’s mountain peaks. The water would then be released to the basin area of Khlong Mae Kha for people’s agricultural, logistical and consumption use.
Later, the city of Chiang Mai has developed into the center of tourism, economic, education and culture of the Northern region. Densely populated slum communities that encroach into the river, blocking the flow of the water, are results of urban expansion in the recent years. Environmental problems arise from such living conditions vary from the lack of water circulation, floods during rainy season, and the spread of aquatic weeds. Water quality becomes poor as waste and sewage are released directly from the communities. Besides, the area additionally suffers from lack of cooperation between people, businesses and government organizations.
In response to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s aspiration in restoring waterways nationwide including Khlong Mae Kha, the aim is to bring back clean water to foster happiness for the people. This is the collaborative mission between government sector, private sector and citizens to revive Khlong Mae Kha so it retains the status as one of the favorable auspices as it originally was.
