The 33-million-baht signboard scandal derailing Thailand’s new grand central station

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s new national rail terminus has run into trouble even before its official unveiling.

 

Bang Sue Grand Station is setting social media alight with news that signboards for its new royally granted name will cost a whopping 33 million baht to install.

 

Enraged Thai netizens have posted pictures showing how such a large budget could be better spent elsewhere, including to fund the construction of classrooms for a small school.

 

Amid the growing outcry, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob ordered a probe into the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)’s “specific” method of bidding whereby it handed the signboard contract to Uniq Engineering and Construction Plc (UNIQ). The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has also begun gathering evidence of alleged irregularities in the procurement deal.

 

“The results of the ministry’s investigation should come within seven days. If they show wrongdoing, the contract will be canceled and culprits punished,” Saksayam said.

 

Is it too expensive?

 

Prapas Chongsanguan, a Pheu Thai Party member and former SRT governor, insists the new signboard is too expensive, arguing that it does not use innovative technology while old materials could have been recycled in the new sign.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-33-million-baht-signboard-scandal-derailing-thailands-new-grand-central-station/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-06

 

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[proton]

Scandalous waste, the new new name is hardly an improvement anyway. Leave as it is.

[anchadian]

12 minutes ago, proton said:

Scandalous waste, the new new name is hardly an improvement anyway. Leave as it is.

Thai King renames Bangkok’s main rail station to “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal”

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-king-renames-bangkoks-main-rail-station-to-krung-thep-aphiwat-central-terminal/

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Thai King renames Bangkok’s main rail station to “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal”

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-king-renames-bangkoks-main-rail-station-to-krung-thep-aphiwat-central-terminal/

So a new sign has been ordered?

[JonnyF]

They really can't help themselves...

[smedly]

one million per letter lol

[it is what it is]

 

went for a look around the other week, it's an impressive and massive building, more like an airport than a train station. only a very small part of it is actually in use, many lifts and escalators are blocked off preventing access to much of the building. there are also areas where construction still needs to be completed.

 

it's a pity there is no high speed railway network to make use of this impressive building. sadly, at the moment it is a bit of a white elephant.

[ezzra]

Reminded me of the NSW farce of erecting an Aboriginal flagpole on the Sydney harbor bridge few months ago costing $25 million dollars for a flagpole...

[proton]

13 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

went for a look around the other week, it's an impressive and massive building, more like an airport than a train station. only a very small part of it is actually in use, many lifts and escalators are blocked off preventing access to much of the building. there are also areas where construction still needs to be completed.

 

it's a pity there is no high speed railway network to make use of this impressive building. sadly, at the moment it is a bit of a white elephant.

Went a few months ago for concerts there, no toilets could be found so had to go across the road to the old station. Seems far too large for what it will be used for. 

[Photoguy21]

I guess someone is living a life of luxury now. That price is way over the top. I am surprised the price was agreed but we all know why I am sure.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“The results of the ministry’s investigation should come within seven days. If they show wrongdoing, the contract will be canceled and culprits punished,” Saksayam said.

If they see any wrong doing.. 

Corruption is rife In the land of the blind?

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by hotchilli

[Rimmer]

An inflammatory post has been removed:

 

4. You will not express disrespect of the King of Thailand or any member of the Thai royal family whether living or deceased. You will not criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments or discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing His Majesty The King of Thailand or the Thai royal family. You will not link to or discuss any website which breaches this rule.

[Forza2002]

The new station will be officially open 19Jan2023.. Richard Barrow has written a good article about the station, train timetables etc. Apparently the train station is the largest in SE Asia, so it must be pretty big. Station constructed by guess who's family? Yep, Sino-Thai.... Nice 34 Billion Baht Project.. budget..  https://www.thaitrainguide.com/2022/12/20/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-opening-of-bangkoks-new-terminal-train-station-on-19-january-2023/ 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Forza2002

[newnative]

    Madness to install the very expensive, very permanent-looking current sign if they knew there would be another name at some point.

[Shop mak]

Imagine the size of the brown envelopes in this case.

Time for Thai people to say enough is enough. But this small storm will soon be forgotten, when another case reach the media.

[ChrisY1]

Nothing in Thailand is corruption free!

[Xonax]

6 hours ago, proton said:

Went a few months ago for concerts there, no toilets could be found so had to go across the road to the old station. Seems far too large for what it will be used for. 

I went there for vaccination 6 months ago and there were nice toilets, but very well hidden without any signs pointing to them.
 

[snoop1130]

SRT defends 33 million baht to change of the name of Bang Sue Grand Station

 

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has provided full details of the expenses involved in changing the name of Bang Sue Grand Station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, in defence of its 33 million baht estimated cost, viewed by critics as being too expensive.

 

On the characters to be replaced, the SRT said that there are 48 Thai characters and 62 English letters to be changed, not 56 as widely misunderstood, plus two logos. The name plates are on both the eastern and western sides of the station.

 

The budget is not only for changing the name and the installation of the new name plates, but also covers the expense of the removal of the old name plates, changes of glass and aluminium panels, the lighting system rearrangement, designing and structural engineering works, plus insurance coverage for 365 days, said the SRT.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/srt-defends-33-million-baht-to-change-of-the-name-of-bang-sue-grand-station/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-06

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

[Shop mak]

The procurement includes 110 English and Thai characters, two logos and the installation of the two name plates, estimated at about 19 million baht

 

So 'only'  172,000 baht for each characters then.

What a bargain.

 

Could had built some new hospitals or schools for 32- 33,000.000 baht, but this is more important?

As stupid as never ending 'lampgate' scandal.

But to admit it, or learn from it, never.

 

[engamann]

Sound correct no cooruption here , farrang don't understand Thai ????

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, it is what it is said:

it's a pity there is no high speed railway network to make use of this impressive building. sadly, at the moment it is a bit of a white elephant.

Yes indeed, and will remain so for many years until the joining with the Chinese High Speed Railway (standard gauge) at Vientiane. 

 

"First-phase construction of the project – a 250-kilometre high-speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima – is on schedule for completion in 2026"

 https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40019450

 

Then construction project for the HSR from Korat to Nong Khai and across the Mekong to Vientiane - how many more years??

Only SRT's narrow gauge trains currently use the new station.

[RichardColeman]

Needs some fancy new lamppost toppings too

[Bangkok Barry]

Why change the name at all? Of course, at 172,000 baht per character as suggested above means we know the answer.

[Purdey]

Well, I understand that the station was given a royally bestowed name so they have to change it. That is a given. 

 

My questions to management would be:

 

1. Why didn't you request the name from the start, before construction? This is called planning. 

 

2. Why request renaming after the station had been built and the giant letters placed on two ends?

 

3. Why ask for a royally given name after construction at all? 

 

It really looks like management incompetence from the start. It isn't as if a royally bestowed name is a surprise - someone has to request it. Knowing they were going to make a formal request, surely they could have held off on naming it Bangsue Central Station? 

 

However much is costs they can hardly back out at this stage. Just a bit of forethought could have saved the country a lot of money. 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Purdey

[Shop mak]

BUMP. Local media report that this has been put on hold, and under investigation by anti corruption division, result within 30 days.

SRT management under thorough investigation.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Shop mak

[proton]

7 minutes ago, Shop mak said:

BUMP. Local media report that this has been put on hold, and under investigation by anti corruption division, result within 30 days.

SRT management under thorough investigation.

No problem, the anti corruption division will be paid off ????

[persimmon]

The original sign was wrong anyway - it should have read " bang Sir " , not SUE , a girl`s name and not the way the Thai word should be pronounced .

[NoDisplayName]

On 1/6/2023 at 12:38 PM, it is what it is said:

 

went for a look around the other week, it's an impressive and massive building, more like an airport than a train station. only a very small part of it is actually in use, many lifts and escalators are blocked off preventing access to much of the building. there are also areas where construction still needs to be completed.

 

it's a pity there is no high speed railway network to make use of this impressive building. sadly, at the moment it is a bit of a white elephant.

 

Don't worry.  I'm sure that within six months of opening, every square meter of available floor space will be covered with plywood-n-tarp market stalls selling all the latest in cheap, knock-off Chinese plasticware...

[Purdey]

Good compromise. 

[StayinThailand2much]

When a million-dollar signboard creates a problem and political repercussions...