Senator Concerns Over 6 Delayed Southern Construction Projects Involving Chinese Contractor

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A Songkhla senator has raised the alarm over six delayed state construction projects across southern Thailand involving a Chinese contractor, warning of a risk that the projects may be abandoned altogether. The matter is now set to be brought before the Senate for further investigation.

 

Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul reported receiving complaints from members of the public regarding severe delays in government-backed projects overseen by China Railway Number One (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a Chinese company operating through a joint venture with multiple Thai subcontractors. Concerns have mounted that subcontractors, having won contracts at unrealistically low prices, may be facing financial difficulties, prompting fears that they will either abandon the works or cut corners using substandard materials.

 

Senator Chaiyong conducted on-site inspections of the affected projects, which include:

 

• Government officers’ accommodation for the Region 9 Appeal Court (THB 386 million)

• Outpatient building at Songkhla Hospital (THB 424 million)

• Passenger terminal at Narathiwat Airport (THB 343 million)

• Dormitory building at Phuket Rajabhat University (THB 129 million)

• Office building for Provincial Electricity Authority in Phuket (THB 210 million)

• Housing and community services project in Phuket (THB 343 million)

 

According to the Senator, delays were evident across all six sites, with some particularly severe. For instance, the Narathiwat Airport terminal project is 60% behind schedule, while the Songkhla Hospital outpatient facility is over 40% delayed, both figures significantly beyond acceptable thresholds in the construction industry.

 

The delays have led to substantial inconvenience for the public, particularly where existing facilities are overcrowded and ill-equipped to meet demand. The recent collapse of the Office of the Auditor General building, due to an earthquake, has further intensified concerns over the structural safety of ongoing projects.

 

Chaiyong stressed that in light of growing public distrust, state agencies responsible for overseeing these developments must urgently summon the involved companies, including China Railway Number One and its Thai partners, for an explanation. He called for comprehensive inspections of construction materials and practices across all affected projects to ensure full safety compliance.

 

The Senator added that initial investigations suggest the joint venture won contracts with unrealistically low bids, which may have led to cost-cutting through the use of subpar building materials.

 

Industry insiders have also voiced concern over widespread malpractice in the public construction bidding process, alleging the use of bribes, political lobbying, and under-the-table payments to secure contracts. These are then resold to local subcontractors at further reduced rates, often resulting in financial strain, abandonment of projects, and serious compromises in construction quality. Insufficient oversight and collusion among project supervisors are also believed to be contributing to the crisis.

 

The issue is now being escalated to the Senate for formal discussion, with calls for urgent regulatory intervention to prevent further disruption and protect public safety.

 

-- 2025-04-07

 

[ozz1]

How do these Chinese companies get all the government contracts I think I know the answer envelopes!

[ChrisY1]

This clown's worried the money will be asked to be repaid....

[JimHuaHin]

Amazing how all the contracts for these government projects went to Chinese companies.

 

Nice to see the Thai (Chinese-controlled?) government supporting Thai companies.

[JoePai]

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

How do these Chinese companies get all the government contracts I think I know the answer envelopes!

China owns Thailand

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Amazing how all the contracts for these government projects went to Chinese companies.

 

Nice to see the Thai (Chinese-controlled?) government supporting Thai companies.

And the Chinese government's only response to date is -

 

The Chinese embassy implores against defaming Chinese firms following the collapse of an unfinished State Audit building during last week’s earthquake in Bangkok.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1356867-bangkok-building-collapse-china-defends-its-companies/

[watchcat]

On 4/7/2025 at 12:31 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Amazing how all the contracts for these government projects went to Chinese companies.

 

Nice to see the Thai (Chinese-controlled?) government supporting Thai companies.

 

They're simply supporting they're own private bank accounts.