Demolition of Bangkok’s long-controversial Aetas Ruamrudee building set to commence
BMA begins process after more than a decade of delays and legal wrangling
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken its first concrete steps towards demolishing the long-controversial Aetas Ruamrudee building after more than a decade of delays and legal wrangling.
According to the council, the BMA’s next steps include appointing a committee to inspect and accept materials, followed by the selection of a new private contractor to carry out the demolition.
The previous contractor, Thamlay Thai Thammachat Co Ltd, is unable to proceed following its placement under court receivership.
The council said it will continue to closely scrutinise the process and press the BMA to act without further delay, stressing that enforcement of the court ruling is essential to safeguarding consumer rights and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The council noted that discussions were held in November 2025 with the Bangkok governor and the Pathumwan district director, during which the BMA pledged to begin demolition preparations by early December.
However, the fencing schedule was later postponed, with district officials citing the need to revise timelines.
The dispute dates back nearly two decades.
The hotel was built on a street less than 10 metres wide, in violation of the Building Control Act.
Despite residents’ objections since 2005, construction was approved by district authorities.
But in 2012, a lower Administrative Court first ordered the demolition of the building, and in 2016, the BMA posted a demolition order at the site.
In 2021, Larppratharn Co Ltd, the owner of the Aetas hotel, filed a lawsuit against the district director for gross negligence for issuing an incorrect certification.
Larppratharn argued that BMA officials had acted negligently by failing to verify the width of the right-of-way along Soi Ruamrudee before approving construction, resulting in the demolition order.
In November 2025, the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed Larppratharn’s case and upheld the demolition order.
The court determined that the plaintiffs were deemed to have acknowledged the original demolition order on Nov 4, 2016, when it was publicly posted at the site.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3170283/demolition-of-aetas-set-to-commence
