Construction Delay: New Thai Parliament Site May Be Moved To Saraburi

[webfact]

Following construction delay, new Parliament site may be moved to Saraburi

The Nation

The new Parliament building may be relocated from the Kiakkai intersection in Bangkok to Saraburi after a delay in its construction, Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol said yesterday.

Charoen told Nation TV that the building of the new Parliament complex has been set back due to several obstacles.

Among them, the Army and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s failure to settle differences over their plans to build new roads in the area which could affect the new Parliament location.

Charoen said the House committee in charge of construction of the new Parliament asked the BMA to relocate the planned site of its new bridge across the Chao Phraya River by 400 metres, but the BMA has disagreed so far.

Also, the Army cannot make the construction site available in time so the builder has not started work yet, Charoen said.

He said construction was put on hold as the dispute over the site continued and the government feared it would be fined if the work began before the dispute was resolved.

The previous House of Representatives selected the Army plot at the Kiakkai intersection for the site of the new Parliament complex. Then Parliament president Chai Chidchob signed a contract with the Army and launched the groundbreaking ceremony for construction.

The plot is now used by Yothin Burana School. Charoen said the school had not yet been relocated because it wants Bt600 million more for the construction cost of its new school on top of Bt1 billion the government has already approved.

"I am confused why the Yothin Burana School had to ask for more budget as earlier it was clearly agreed the school would be relocated at a budget of Bt1 billion," Charoen said.

He said the government had also relocated residents of a community near the school by constructing 79 town houses for the families, but work on that had not started yet.

Another problem for building a new parliament building at the Kiakkai intersection is possible flooding, Charoen said.

He said the new Parliament would have its power control room, a printing room and a car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system.

Charoen said it was possible the House committee in charge of the construction would consider relocating the new Parliament during its meeting today - after a briefing on all the problems.

Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.

He said if the new Parliament is built in Saraburi, it should be completed in two years.

He said the site might belong to the Crown Property Bureau so the government could save money in not having to buy a new plot of land.

Charoen said the relocation of the new construction site must not use more budget or else officials involved might be accused of reaping benefits from the project.

-- The Nation 2012-01-09

[OzMick]

"He said the government had also relocated residents of a community near the school by constructing 79 town houses for the families, but work on that had not started yet."

Hmmmm.............and quality won't be a problem as they are knocked up in triple-quick time.

"........... a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily......" Billionaires on public transport, mixing with the hoi polloi, quite rare that.

[whybother]

Contracts signed. Construction started. And they want to move the location?

He said if the new Parliament is built in Saraburi, it should be completed in two years.

It takes them 12 months to get to this, and they think they can complete a new building in 2 years?

Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.

As if the MPs would travel to parliament by train.

How do these people get put in these positions? (rhetorical question!!)

[whybother]

"He said the government had also relocated residents of a community near the school by constructing 79 town houses for the families, but work on that had not started yet."

Hmmmm.............and quality won't be a problem as they are knocked up in triple-quick time.

<snip>

And ...

He said the new Parliament would have its power control room, a printing room and a car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system.

Quality reporting!

[geriatrickid]

"He said the government had also relocated residents of a community near the school by constructing 79 town houses for the families, but work on that had not started yet."

Hmmmm.............and quality won't be a problem as they are knocked up in triple-quick time.

<snip>

And ...

He said the new Parliament would have its power control room, a printing room and a car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system.

Quality reporting!

You seem to like it just fine when it presents negative statements directed at the elected government of Thailand. Curious.

[whybother]

You seem to like it just fine when it presents negative statements directed at the elected government of Thailand. Curious.

Check my posts GK. I often have a go at obvious mistakes and lack of investigation by the Nation's (and other sources) reporters, whether it be positive or negative of the current or previous governments.

[moe666]

If they are going to put those services underground, avoiding flooding how. Nothing to do with reporting, other than not asking a follow up question. underground how will you avoid flooding?

[whybother]

If they are going to put those services underground, avoiding flooding how. Nothing to do with reporting, other than not asking a follow up question. underground how will you avoid flooding?

Asking a follow up question is "reporting", isn't it?

Anyway, I see it as a reporting issue.

Another problem for building a new parliament building at the Kiakkai intersection is possible flooding, Charoen said.

He said the new Parliament would have its power control room, a printing room and a car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system.

If flooding could not damage the systems, why would flooding be a problem? I would suggest that it should say "flooding could not damage the system".

Similar with the relocation of residents. They can't have "relocated residents" if "work on that had not started yet."

As to the idea that they move the site of parliament because of construction delays, and still expect to have it done in 2 years, that just seems typical for Thailand. (unless someone can point out where the reporting error in that is).

[sprq]

I've been in Thailand a very long time but this must be the most ridiculous piece of news information I've ever seen. The multiple stupidities contained -- as well as the indications of massive corruption -- are utterly mind-boggling.

[pedro01]

So this high speed train link will be built faster than a new building in BKK?

[animatic]

You seem to like it just fine when it presents negative statements directed at the elected government of Thailand. Curious.

Check my posts GK. I often have a go at obvious mistakes and lack of investigation by the Nation's (and other sources) reporters, whether it be positive or negative of the current or previous governments.

And a certain party often has a go at you for doing so.

Same same different day.

This is clearly a case of government 1 setting up a deal and government 2 looking to kybosh the deal and replace it with their own deal. One has to wonder 'who owns the Saraburi land'?

As to the commented article section:

Sure building the power plant and UNDERGROUND PARKING,

under ground will prevent it from flooding...

since floods always go up hill and never downhill into holes and underground.

[animatic]

Contracts signed. Construction started. And they want to move the location?

He said if the new Parliament is built in Saraburi, it should be completed in two years.

It takes them 12 months to get to this, and they think they can complete a new building in 2 years?

Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.

As if the MPs would travel to parliament by train.

How do these people get put in these positions? (rhetorical question!!)

Sure they would use it, if they are the only people that use that train line.

MP To Parliment Special. No hoi paloi allowed.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What a bunch of complete rubbish all the way round....

Apart from all the failings of the Nation article as mentioned above, it's silly to think they're going to be able to complete a high speed rail line to Saraburi in two years.... or probably even that they'd be able to start planning for, execute contracts and build a new Parliament complex there in that time.

I'm sure this deal is about someone or someones getting their palms very well greased...

However, that said, the issue does interestingly get at what has become a much discussed issue lately....and that is the prospects and need, perhaps, for beginning to relocate things out of BKK to more long term safe areas in terms of global warming sea levels and localized flooding.

Likewise, some might argue, BKK would be a lot better off if all the #$%^$#$s in Parliament were kicked out of town.

[anterian]

This might seem a naive question, but what is wrong with the present building and what will become of it.

The British Parliament house has existed since the 11th century, apart from a hiatus in 1834 caused by a fire.The present structure was completed in 1870, 30 years after work was started.

[renaissanc]

I love this part: "He said the new Parliament would have its power control room, a printing room and a car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system."

So, they'll move it to Saraburi? This gives an indication of where the new Bangkok will be built. I'll bet all the prime land has been bought up by the politicians already.

[sparebox2]

Moving the capital out of Bangkok is not a good idea.

It is a bad omen.

In Thai history, capitals are only moved when they are defeated by the Burmese.

[alexakap]

new Parliament site may be moved to Saraburi

Why not to Dubai - much closer to The Master...?

There are no floodings, too.

[janverbeem]

Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.

So when they are on the train all stations on the route need to be cleared and the train evacuated for the general public?

[Tanaka]

You seem to like it just fine when it presents negative statements directed at the elected government of Thailand. Curious.

Check my posts GK. I often have a go at obvious mistakes and lack of investigation by the Nation's (and other sources) reporters, whether it be positive or negative of the current or previous governments.

And a certain party often has a go at you for doing so.

Same same different day.

This is clearly a case of government 1 setting up a deal and government 2 looking to kybosh the deal and replace it with their own deal. One has to wonder 'who owns the Saraburi land'?

As to the commented article section:

Sure building the power plant and UNDERGROUND PARKING,

under ground will prevent it from flooding...

since floods always go up hill and never downhill into holes and underground.

Elementary, Watson. Any Thai engineer can tell you that.