Minister Inspects Affordable Housing Project in Chiang Mai
The user wants a short summary of the article for a news deck. Constraints: 1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters, max 240. Output English only. No filler. Lead with what happened, then single most important detail. No title repeat. No quotes,
Minister Nikhom Somsak visited Chiang Mai to advance the "Cooperative Housing for Thai People" project in the Night Safari zone, offering affordable homes for low-income earners in a high-potential location. On October 25, 2026, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Nikhom Somsak inspected the stalled Ban Ua-athorn Chiang Mai (Night Safari) project in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong district, to track plans for redeveloping the high-potential stalled project to support the "Cooperative Housing for Thai People" initiative. National Housing Authority board member Nattawut Smitthibenchapol, NHA Governor Thawiphong Wichaidit, ministry executives, and NHA Deputy Governor Khomsan Pilasombat welcomed him.
This field visit is part of driving the Ministry's eight policy pillars under the concept "Build a Good Society, Create Opportunities for All Thais." The "Cooperative Housing for Thai People" development aligns with policy pillar five on housing, which aims to create housing security, promote public access to quality housing in suitable locations at affordable prices, and develop housing for all groups under Universal Design principles, including environmentally friendly housing and communities.
Minister Nikhom stated the visit aims to monitor NHA's work in taking undeveloped land or stalled projects in high-potential locations and rapidly developing them into housing for low- to middle-income earners, giving local residents more opportunities for secure housing as a foundation for improving quality of life in other dimensions.
NHA Governor Thawiphong Wichaidit said the Authority is accelerating the "Cooperative Housing for Thai People" project to increase housing options for the public. There is a plan to develop over 10 rai of remaining land within the stalled Ban Ua-athorn Chiang Mai (Night Safari) project by demolishing existing building walls and constructing new 4-story residential buildings — 12 buildings totaling 516 units of 32 square meters each, one-bedroom layout.
Currently, project details are being prepared with modern upgrades including passenger elevators, solar panels for common-area electricity, and enhanced safety with CCTV and keycard systems. The project sits on Highway 3028, about 7.8 kilometers from Chiang Mai International Airport, and lies along the planned Red Line mass transit route (Nakornping Hospital–Royal Park Rajapruek section), making it a high-potential location for housing development and transport connectivity. The NHA will expedite operations to urgently meet the government's policy on securing public access to housing.
