Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

A housing project in Tha Sai subdistrict, Samut Sakhon, shocked the community as 30 homes went up for sale due to serious structural issues.

 

Residents expressed urgent safety concerns following multiple reports of crumbling foundations, sinking floors, and cracked walls in homes less than a year old. The fear of collapsing structures has forced families out until rectifications are made.

 

On May 7, Narit Niramaiwong, the Samut Sakhon provincial governor, orchestrated a meeting at the provincial hall to address these critical housing concerns.

 

Key participants included members from the provincial public works, the Consumer Protection Board, and engineers who were tasked with finding a solution to the predicament threatening residents' homes.

 

Curiously, despite the urgency of the meeting, no residents were present, though officials promised transparency and action following media briefings.

 

Residents have been vocal about defective constructions, and their calls have been heard. The Engineering Institute of Thailand confirmed the homes remain habitable, despite visible defects, and pledged to oversee the necessary repairs.

 

The project management is set to cover all repair expenses, including offering a 10-year damage insurance policy for each affected home.

 

Interestingly, while the project is committed to mending the damages, there is no intention to repurchase or completely rebuild these homes. Instead, the focus is on quick repairs as per the structural engineers' advisory received on May 3.

 

Delays have been attributed to the project's wait for guidance from local bodies to identify reliable contractors after residents rejected the builders initially involved.

 

Residents are required to choose a trustworthy contractor, after which repair works will proceed at the project's expense. Key issues identified include insufficient soil density, poor cement setting, and stress-induced cracks.

 

The project is determined to rectify these issues, ensuring future safety and sturdiness of the homes in question.

 

The news of structural failures and mass sales highlights the urgent need for stringent quality controls in housing projects. With assurances of repair funding, authorities are actively working to restore confidence among the displaced families, eager to return to safely reinforced homes in Samut Sakhon.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-08

 

 

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