You’ve heard of all the cool new restaurants and malls opening near the riverside. But these large-scale urbanism projects are taking things to a whole other level, from the BMA’s massive 15km riverside walkway to a behemoth development which will incorporate retail and residential offerings across 750,000 sq meters. 

1.ICONSIAM

The project: Expected to be completed late 2017, this 750,000-sq-meter complex is definitely the largest of this roundup. It runs along the Chao Praya for 10km and includes two distinct retail developments—ICONSIAM and ICONLUXE, two residential condominiums and a 3,000-seat auditorium. The construction plan also includes a rooftop sport complex and a 10,000-sq-meter cineplex.

What you can expect: Developed by Siam Piwat, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation and the CP Group, the project should be as luxurious as it is massive. The serviced residence, for example, will be operated by Mandarin Oriental, a first in Thailand. There’s something for the rest of us, too, though. The riverside park will act as a space for concerts and events; the Heritage Museum will host priceless treasures and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art; and the waterfront will host a 400-meter-long water and fire feature. ICONSIAM also aims to be more than just a condo and retail project by acting as a connection hub for all modes of transport in the city, including boats, ferries, the BTS and MRT. 

2. The New Thai Parliament

The project: A 123-rai plot for the new Thai Parliament which will house a National Museum and a large-scale courtyard open to the public.   

What you can expect: With 300,000 square metres of interior space on a 119-rai plot of land, this project is on an impressive scale. It blends distinctly Thai architecture elements, such as the stupa- or mountain-like structure, with modern features such as soaring floor-to-wall bay windows and clean-cut basins in its park. Surrounded by a moat, the parliament’s lack of fence is meant to convey openness while its park will be open to the public. But with the project only 16 percent complete last January, you probably won’t be able to visit for a few more years.

3. The Creative District

The project: The focal point of this burgeoning creative neighborhood is the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC), set to reopen at the Central Post Office in 2017. There, TCDC will rent between 8,000-9,000 sq meters to deliver exhibitions, working spaces for start-ups and business matching services.

What you can expect: TCDC plans to regenerate the whole neighborhood, from the border of Klongsan to Bangrak and turn it into a district where designers, artists, gallery owners and other people from a similar background can interact and discuss their ideas. It’s already paid off with the recent BukRuk, one of the largest street art festivals in Bangkok and discussions dubbed Conversation @ Creative District, held among the residents—food stall owners, locals living in old communities, ABAC students, gallery owners.

Brought to you by , a new riverside landmark for Bangkok, combining luxury retail and residences with unprecedented transportation options.