Chao Phraya riverside project to start in June 2016
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A LANDMARK project to remodel prime areas alongside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok has been postponed six months, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

He said the postponement was the result of the project's committee asking for a budget of Bt126 million, when the government had only approved Bt76 million for the 2015 fiscal year for its design, public relations and related processes. The committee will apply for the additional Bt50 million soon.

There had also been obstacles in the design process and gaining permission for construction from related agencies and affected residents, he said.

After presiding over a meeting of the committee yesterday, Prawit said the start of construction had been pushed back six months to June 2016. But the committee would try to hire a consultant for the project by January 2016.

Prawit did not know how much families affected by the project would get in compensation, but said the total sum would be within a target of Bt14 billion. The Social Development and Human Security Ministry would provide affected residents with new homes, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Chao-Phraya-riverside-project-to-start-in-June-201-30267340.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-25

In many other countries one might see the super rich kicking in with some sponsorship funding for 'public amenity' projects. Not in Thailand , where the billionaires want to hang on to every last Baht for themselves. 100million is chickenfeed to these guys but they know they can give nothing and no one will question the absence of philanthropy.

A Bt14 billion beautification project planned during a time of precarious, if not collapsing economy.

When Thailand needs infrastructure investments, this is what the Prayut regime delivers instead.

I wonder if the new economic dream team will have the courage to permanently delay this project for more meaningful government investments?

Improving the view for the well heeled.

This has "boondoggle" written all over it.

One word: condos!