Children play on a railway track that runs through a well-known slum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Thousands of families live in dilapidated wooden and tin homes in the Klong Toey neighbourhood next to a polluted canal on land owned by the country's Port Authority of Thailand.

The notorious slum is home to around 12,000 households with several members of the same extended family living in individual properties - many of them falling into disrepair.

In 2021, the Charoen Pokphand Foundation began funding the development of the new homes. Local architect Varudh Varavarn, founder of Vin Varavarn Architects, designed the buildings, which have tidy porches and solid walls.

Surawat Krabsomboon, president of the Klong Toei community, said that despite the new homes, the future of the area is uncertain as the Port Authority of Thailand owns the land and wants to develop the land and replace the slum with offices, apartments and shops.

"You can see there are several old homes with roof leaks, broken walls and collapsed poles. Some people inevitably get wet while sleeping through the heavy rain", he said.

Surawat explained that almost 100 new homes have been built already while further development has been slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: "Those who received a free new home feel very happy as they do not have to pay for them. Also, we have been continuously receiving requests from residents in Klong Toey communities for home repairs. I think it is a really good opportunity and I would like businesses and the Royal Thai Army to further support the building of these homes".

Footage shows children playing on a railway track that runs through a well-known slum in Bangkok this morning.

Thousands of families live in dilapidated wooden and tin homes in the Klong Toey neighbourhood next to a polluted canal on land owned by the country's Port Authority of Thailand.

The notorious slum is home to around 12,000 households with several members of the same extended family living in individual properties - many of them falling into disrepair.

In 2021, the Charoen Pokphand Foundation began funding the development of the new homes. Local architect Varudh Varavarn, founder of Vin Varavarn Architects, designed the buildings, which have tidy porches and solid walls.

Surawat Krabsomboon, president of the Klong Toei community, said that despite the new homes, the future of the area is uncertain as the Port Authority of Thailand owns the land and wants to develop the land and replace the slum with offices, apartments and shops.

'You can see there are several old homes with roof leaks, broken walls and collapsed poles,' he said.

'Some people inevitably get wet while sleeping through the heavy rain.'

Surawat said that almost 100 new homes have been built already while further development has been slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: 'Those who received a free new home feel very happy as they do not have to pay for them. Also, we have been continuously receiving requests from residents in Klong Toey communities for home repairs.

'I think it is a really good opportunity and I would like businesses and the Royal Thai Army to further support the home building.'