PHUKET: Supercheap construction under scrutiny

[webfact]

PHUKET: Supercheap construction under scrutiny
Saran Mitrarat


Muang Mai resident Rittiwong Pongchumpiset finally managed to persuade officials to investigate construction of a new Supercheap store next to his home after lodging complaints more than two months ago.

PHUKET: -- A newly constructed Supercheap store near Phuket Airport may be torn down if it is found the building violates building regulations following complaints by a local resident.

Investigations are now underway to determine whether the new 24-hour Munag Mai Supercheap branch near the near the Highway Police Station on Thepkrasatree Road was built according to correct building standards after local home owner Rittiwong Pongchumpiset submitted complaints to municipal authorities and the Damrongthum Centre.

Mr Rittiwong initially submitted a complaint at the Thepkrasattri OrBorTor offices on September 24 while construction of the new store was underway, claiming dust and debris from the construction work was severely disrupting the livelihoods of nearby residents.

According to Mr Rittiwong, the OrBorTor took no action so he then filed another complaint on October 24, this time with the Damrongthum Office, by which time construction of the store had already been completed.

Investigations eventually began in earnest just over a five weeks later, on the morning of December 2, when a group of officials from various department led by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak visited the site to determine whether the store had been built in accordance with the building's construction permit.

Accompanying V/Gov Somkiet were officials from the Damrongtham Office, Thalang District Office, Phuket Environmental Office, Phuket Highway office, Phuket Public Works & Country Planning, the Public Health Office and Thepkrasattri OrBorTor.

With the store already complete, Mr Rittiwong had a new list of complaints for the officials.

“The space between the store and the houses behind is too narrow. The area was not properly marked off and now there is a horrible smell from the restroom and staff kitchen,” he said.

Additionally, the officials revealed that minimarts in the Muang Mai area should be no more than 300 square metres. However, this store covers more than 1,000 square metres.

The course of action depends on whether the Supercheap store is categorized as a 'minimart' or as a 'super store', said V/Gov Somkiet, who gave investigating officers 15 days to find out which category the store was built under.

“If it is a minimart, there must be no windows or extractor fans facing the neighbouring residential properties,” he explained.

“However, if it is categorized as a super store, then the situation is different and part of the store may have to be demolished,” he said.

V/Gov Somkiet said he couldn't recall the exact specifications according to the Building Control Act but said he expected Supercheap to make any appropriate actions once investigations were complete, otherwise legal action would follow.

Store manager Natthawut Siemmai said he would report the findings to Supercheap's head office and promised that the retail group would follow any orders issued by the authorities.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/supercheap-construction-under-scrutiny-49957.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-03

[uel1968]

Sounds like supercheap have had the super cheap cowboy builders on the job.

[Chang_paarp]

Better for it to be torn down rather than burn down.

I wonder if the inspections will include fire regulations and checking to see if the exits are not chained shut?

[DaveHKT]

"Supercheap construction under scrutiny"

Why pick on Supercheap? I would have thought all construction projects should be under scrutiny.

[Scully]

"V/Gov Somkiet said he couldn't recall the exact specifications according to the Building Control Act but said he expected Supercheap to make any appropriate actions once investigations were complete"

He said after messing with his calculator and rubbing his hands together.

[Benmart]

"V/Gov Somkiet said he couldn't recall the exact specifications according to the Building Control Act but said he expected Supercheap to make any appropriate actions once investigations were complete"

He said after messing with his calculator and rubbing his hands together.

I wasn't there, so I can't comment as to his actions.

[Longstaff]

" V/Gov Somkiet, who gave investigating officers 15 days to find out which category the store was built under."

What? Officials from EIGHT departments, including the investigating officers presumably, all coordinated to all be on site at the same time, but nobody thought to take the documentation with them? What exactly were they going to inspect against if they didn't have the permit with them?

Maybe the building permit was issued in Chiang Rai and the investigating officer has to ride his bike there to go and check it?

[stevenl]

" V/Gov Somkiet, who gave investigating officers 15 days to find out which category the store was built under."

What? Officials from EIGHT departments, including the investigating officers presumably, all coordinated to all be on site at the same time, but nobody thought to take the documentation with them? What exactly were they going to inspect against if they didn't have the permit with them?

Maybe the building permit was issued in Chiang Rai and the investigating officer has to ride his bike there to go and check it?

Now that is a sensible remark, since I was wondering the same thing .