Bangkok governor Under Pressure to Enforce Demolition of Aetas Condo
Bangkok’s governor is under renewed pressure to act on a decade-old court order mandating the demolition of the Aetas condo in Pathumwan district. This push comes after former senator Rosana Tositrakul urged Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to enforce the Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling from ten years ago, which declared the building in violation of the Building Control Act.
In a recent Facebook post, Ms Rosana emphasised the urgency of the situation, warning that Mr Chadchart might face accusations of dereliction of duty under Section 157 of the Criminal Code should he neglect to carry out the demolition.
The 21-storey condominium on Soi Ruamrudee, constructed on a narrow street under 10 metres wide, has been a point of contention and concern for local residents since its inception.
The opposition to the Aetas project began as far back as 2005, led by local residents and community leader Dr Songkram Supcharoen, who collectively challenged the Pathumwan district office’s initial approval.
Their efforts culminated in a lawsuit supported by the Foundation for Consumers, which they filed with the Central Administrative Court in 2008.
The court’s decision in 2012 mandated the building’s demolition within 60 days, citing its violation of the Building Control Act.
Despite an appeal from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Supreme Administrative Court upheld this order in October 2014, confirming that both the former Pathumwan district director and Bangkok governor were responsible for executing the demolition within a specified timeframe.
However, the structure still stands, untouched by the order, over a decade later. This inaction has been a source of frustration and concern for the local community, which sees the lack of enforcement as a disregard for the rule of law.
Recently, a forum by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) brought renewed attention to this issue. Dr Songkram highlighted a past incident in Soi Ruamrudee, where a narrow alley impeded firefighters from reaching a hotel engulfed in flames, resulting in the death of a foreign guest.
He cautioned that without action, similar tragedies could occur if unregulated construction on narrow roads continues.
The call for Governor Chadchart to act is not just about compliance with a court order but also a broader plea for urban safety and adherence to building regulations. As the situation remains unresolved, residents and civic bodies alike await decisive action, reported Bangkok Post
Source: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349964-bangkok%C2%A0governor-under-pressure-to-enforce-demolition-of-aetas-condo
