A sand saugages barrier to protect shorelines in Samut Prakan.

Bang Khunthien residents want the city to construct three-metre-high zig-zag concrete erosion protection along the coast, based on their traditional bamboo barriers.

More than 150 people attending a meeting heard that "sand sausages" - or 1.8 metre sand-filled fabric bags - planned for use will be useless, and can break. They will be a waste of money.

Moreover, the sand from the bags could get into shore creatures' habitats, killing them.

The residents say coastal wave action sees three- to four-metre swells, too much for the sand sausages, as proved by their destruction along the Klong Dan in Samut Prakan.

Former village headman Pramote Boon-im wants the city to listen to locals.

Bamboo retention wall

Residents' bamboo barriers erected in February are holding back the sea and this appears to be working.

He says the one-kilometre-long set of barriers are working better than the city gives them credit for.

City Drainage Department chief Somsak Klanpoj says it has taken over the erosion problem from the Public Works Department.

He says the city wants to get started on the work immediately. Money is being allocated and online bidding has commenced. He'll talk with locals and "get on the same page".

However, he defends the sand sausages saying they burst in the past because of "villagers' sharp fishing tools".