Phuket Old Town buildings risk collapse

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Phuket Old Town buildings risk collapse
Saran Mitrarat


Concerns over Old Phuket Town architecture after construction work causes damage to several buildigs on Yawarat Road.

PHUKET: -- Aged buildings along Yaowarat Road in Old Phuket Town are at risk of collapse after rennovation work on one of the historical houses caused cracks to appear in the walls of neighbouring buildings.

Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak and city planning officials held a meeting at Provincial Hall 1.30pm Tuesday (Dec 2) to investigate complaints that construction work on one of the buildings – the precise location of which was not disclsoed – had caused extensive damage to surrounding structures.

The damage is a result of pile driving an additional support pole meant to strengthen the structure so a fourth floor can be added.

Phuket City Municipality had previously granted permission for construction of the additional floor, however, V/Gov Somkiet ordered a halt on further construction and instructed the Phuket Environment Office to carry out a new Environmental Impact Assessment on the property in question.

Voicing his concern that the damage could result in the loss of part of Old Phuket Town's historical architecture, V/Gov Somkiat said the municipality must limit such building extensions in the future.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-old-town-buildings-risk-collapse-49951.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-03