PUBLISHED: 9 May 2025 at 05: 22
A group of 30 lawmakers argued that the proposed 956 million-baht resources for the construction of the new congress complex is excessive, poorly prioritized, and not in the public interest.
Senator Nantana Nantavaropas, who held a press event on Thursday to criticize the construction plan, is in the lead.
She brought up the building’s major structural issues, including leaking rooms, collapsed roof, mold-covered columns, and malfunctioning air conditioning units, despite being in use for only four times.
She noted that despite the project however being covered by a warranty, these issues remain unanswered, raising questions about contractor accountability, particularly given the building’s initial 22-billion-baht construction cost.
Sen. Nantana even criticized the perplexing design of the building and the lack of adequate signage, arguing that visitors may “rely on intuition to understand the maze.”
She revealed that no money will be used to fix the existing problems in the proposed resources. Otherwise, it will pay for 10 related tasks, which she termed “unnecessary.”
The proposed repairs include the addition of a 4D film, improved lighting in conference rooms, and the renovation of the unused Parliamentary Museum. The installation of AC units in the Sala Kaeo ( Crystal Pavilion ), which Sen Nanthana warned would significantly increase electricity costs, is another contentious issue.
Also, she claimed that no formal approval has been given for five more tasks. A fresh park structure that is estimated to cost 4.6 billion ringgit, with an average of 1 million baht per parking area, according to one such plan.
She claimed that the size and cost of the new job are disproportionately high compared to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s current least parking needs.
Instead of addressing public needs, she said,” These projects seem to be aimed at improving the comfort of parliamentarians.” ” We will use every route to stop this idling money,” the statement read.
In addition, Chatree Ladalalitsakul, the parliament building’s chief engineer, wrote a letter to the house opposing the construction’s plan to add an” Emerald Pool,” a crucial architectural have meant to naturally cool the structure.
He warned that the house’s energy efficiency and air system may be compromised if the lake were replaced with a people library and retail space.
The building was constructed using natural heating methods, and air holes that allow air to move through from all directions made it energy-efficient.
The whole area would need to be air-conditioned if the pond were to be used to create a library. I can’t even imagine the money being spent on installing air conditioning and closing all the gaps in a 10-storey area.