Report Thai Senators Oppose 956 Million Baht Parliament Renovation Plan

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Sum Up

 

In a strong display of dissent, a group of 30 Thai senators has publicly opposed a proposed 956 million baht budget for renovations at the country's new parliament complex, branding the plan as excessive, misdirected, and lacking public benefit. Spearheaded by Senator Nantana Nantavaropas at a press conference on May 8, the group criticised the initiative for failing to address existing structural issues.

 

Senator Nantana highlighted a number of ongoing concerns, including leaking walls, collapsed ceilings, mouldy columns, and failing air-conditioning units, all persisting despite the fact that the complex is only four years old and still under warranty. These issues call into question contractor accountability given the original construction cost of 22 billion baht (US$666 million).

 

The proposed renovations include projects such as refurbishing the dormant Parliamentary Museum, installing a 4D cinema, and upgrading lighting in seminar rooms. The addition of air-conditioning units to the Sala Kaeo (Crystal Pavilion) was particularly contentious, with concerns about soaring electricity costs.

 

Senator Nantana criticised the plan for failing to address these pressing defects, suggesting it prioritises unnecessary projects over urgent repairs. "These projects seem aimed at enhancing the comfort of parliamentarians, rather than addressing public needs. We will use every possible channel to block this wasteful spending," she declared.

 

Additional proposals, such as a new parking structure estimated at 4.6 billion baht (US$139 million), have also faced scrutiny. Senator Nantana highlighted the average cost of 1 million baht (US$30,270) per parking space as excessive, stating that while the building does not meet minimum parking requirements, the scale of the new project is unnecessarily grandiose.

 

Opposition is not limited to the Senate. Chatree Ladalalitsakul, the building’s chief architect, expressed concerns over plans to fill in the Emerald Pool—a feature integral to the building's natural cooling system—to construct a public library and shops. He warned that such changes would compromise the building's energy efficiency, necessitating costly air-conditioning and sealing work for the 10-storey structure.

 

The debate underscores a significant clash of perspectives regarding resource allocation, energy efficiency, and public accountability. As the proposed budget faces mounting opposition, the dialogue is likely to continue, focusing on the complex balance between modernisation and maintaining functionality in public spaces.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-09

 

 

[ikke1959]

Nobody is thinking about relocating the  capital as in the years to come Bangkok is threated to flow over by the rising seal levels?? So why spend so much money for nothing... but of course someone has to fill the pockets with it ... but it is a waste of money