The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is beginning to dismantle about 400 public water dispensing machines across the city, claiming that most of them are not working due to lack of maintenance, that they are an eyesore, obstructions on footpaths, and may contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

The dispensers were installed on footpaths about two decades ago by the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), in cooperation with the BMA and the private sector, to provide free drinking water to Bangkok residents and tourists. Most of them, however, no longer function.

On November 22^nd, the Traffic and Transport Office of the BMA asked the MWA to dismantle all the machines within 30 days, otherwise the city administration would remove them and bill the MWA.

The 30-day deadline has passed without anything being done, so the BMA has decided to go ahead and dismantle them.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul led city officials to inspect the dispensers on Rama 6 Road today (Thursday), in front of the Ministry of Industry.

The removal work is expected to be completed within 90 days.