The Chao Mae Thapthim case: Heritage preservation and the human cost of redevelopment

The century-old Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine in Bangkok's Sam Yan district is at the center of a major dispute over Chulalongkorn University’s Block 33 redevelopment project. This case raises important questions about how cities balance urban renewal with the preservation of cultural heritage and historic communities.

Beyond the legal challenges concerning the project's construction and the shrine's future, campaigners have highlighted allegations that dozens of construction workers involved in the development have not been paid for over a year. This expands the debate to include critical issues of labor rights, public accountability, and the social costs of redevelopment.

This panel discussion brings together activists, a filmmaker, an MP, and workers directly affected by the dispute. They will examine how the campaign to save a historic shrine evolved into a broader conversation about urban development, governance, and workers' rights. The event will feature an interactive investigation into the Block 33 project, a short documentary, testimony from affected workers, and an update on the parliamentary inquiry into the case.