Safety Concerns Arise Over New Songkhla Hospital Building Amid Past Contractor Issues

Concerns have surfaced regarding the construction safety of a new outpatient building at Songkhla Hospital, especially given the involvement of China Railway No. 10. This Chinese company was previously linked to a building collapse at the Office of the Auditor General following an earthquake on March 28.

The 426 million baht project has attracted public scrutiny, with shared images on social media amplifying unease regarding construction standards. The contractor's past incident casts doubt over their ability to meet essential safety regulations.

In response to these apprehensions, Songkhla representative Sanphet Boonyamanee, along with Dr Songkran Maichum, provincial public health doctor, and hospital director Dr Rattanapol Lorprasitkul, conducted a site visit. Accompanied by an engineering team, they assessed the safety assurances from the supervising engineers. They confirmed that the nine-storey building has been designed to withstand earthquakes and complies with all safety standards.

Funded by the Ministry of Public Health with a substantial budget of over 426 million baht, the project is vital for the region's medical infrastructure. Sanphet, underscoring his responsibility as a community representative, affirmed his impartial stance and dedication to project transparency. He pledged to closely monitor the construction to ensure adherence to safety protocols, addressing public concerns.

While local authorities express confidence in achieving the necessary safety benchmarks, the choice of contractor remains a point of contention. Nevertheless, officials are optimistic that the new hospital facility will be both secure and beneficial, providing essential healthcare services to the community without compromising safety.