Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Officials from the Treasury Department in Nakhon Phanom have clarified the status of the so-called “World Scout Camp” in Nong Yat subdistrict, which has lain abandoned for nine years despite a construction budget of 35 million baht.

 

Built in 2016 with funds from the provincial development budget, the camp, formally known as the National Scout Camp, was intended to be a major youth activity centre on a 200-rai plot of state land. The site features a two-storey administrative building comparable in size to the city district office, a canteen resembling a multi-purpose hall, standard toilet facilities, an activity ground, and a paved road encircling the site.

 

Despite the substantial investment, the camp has never been used. Overgrown with tall grass and shrubs, it now sits idle just one kilometre from the Nakhon Phanom Office of the Auditor-General, a proximity not lost on residents, who are calling for a full investigation into what they see as a wasteful and mismanaged project.

 

The land, part of a 32,000-rai area in Nong Yat subdistrict, was previously the subject of a land dispute before being officially declared state property in 2014 by court ruling. The site is managed by the Treasury Department of Nakhon Phanom.

 

Ms. Siriwalee Sangkhawichian, the provincial Treasury official, stated that although the camp was completed in 2016, it has yet to be officially registered as a state asset under the Treasury’s inventory. She explained that the land can only be used by government agencies and the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Education is currently in the process of applying to use the site. However, no decision has been made by the provincial committee in charge of approving such applications.

 

Ms. Siriwalee emphasised that other government departments are also welcome to submit proposals to utilise the camp in accordance with state property regulations.

 

Until then, the site remains a stark reminder of unfulfilled potential and a symbol of misallocated public funds, raising difficult questions about planning, accountability and the oversight of government spending.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-24

 

 

 

Terrible waste of money - again !

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Until then, the site remains a stark reminder of unfulfilled potential and a symbol of misallocated public funds, raising difficult questions about planning, accountability and the oversight of government spending.

 

Never mind, they can give it to me, just one hitch I'm an alien.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Until then, the site remains a stark reminder of unfulfilled potential and a symbol of misallocated public funds, raising difficult questions about planning, accountability and the oversight of government spending.

In other words CORRUPTION.

It just needs some fancy lamp posts.

 

Actually it looks in pretty good shape for being abandoned for that long.

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Despite the substantial investment, the camp has never been used. Overgrown with tall grass and shrubs, it now sits idle just one kilometre from the Nakhon Phanom Office of the Auditor-General, a proximity not lost on residents, who are calling for a full investigation into what they see as a wasteful and mismanaged project.

Maybe it was envisaged to become someones residence someday..

28 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe it was envisaged to become someones residence someday..

 

Why not change it into a camp for young offenders,  Give kids a chance to learn about nature and work with their hands.  Might also give them an education

2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

 

Why not change it into a camp for young offenders,  Give kids a chance to learn about nature and work with their hands.  Might also give them an education

No profit in that

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Until then, the site remains a stark reminder of unfulfilled potential and a symbol of misallocated public funds, raising difficult questions about planning, accountability and the oversight of government spending.

10 years ago?

Who was PM and is responsible?

17 hours ago, hotchilli said:

No profit in that

Actually, there is a great profit in it.  If you can get these kids trained in a skill, then send them back to their villages or homes.  They then become a positive force in the community and are working instead of breaking the law and or causing trouble. 

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Actually, there is a great profit in it.  If you can get these kids trained in a skill, then send them back to their villages or homes.  They then become a positive force in the community and are working instead of breaking the law and or causing trouble. 

Community profit I agree, I was thinking more along the lines of personal profit..

On 6/24/2025 at 9:58 AM, hotchilli said:

No profit in that

 

Indeed wich is the Thai style.