Demolition work begins on Bangkok’s infamous Bang Lamphu mall, owner illegally added eight more floors to the original 3-storey structure
Work is underway to tear down the long-abandoned Bang Lamphu shopping mall located in the busy Phra Nakhon district, after decades of legal wrangling. BMA photo
After three decades of delays and legal tussles, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) finally began demolishing the abandoned Bang Lamphu shopping mall in Phra Nakhon district yesterday.
On the first day of the demolition, Phra Nakhon district office director, Wasan Boonmuenwai, inspected the site, where he called on the demolition team do carry out their work with the utmost care.
Neighbouring areas and passers-by must be protected from debris and other dangers, he said.
Bang Lamphu shopping mall was first built in 1983 as a three-storey building, but over the years its owner illegally added eight more floors to the original structure. The BMA took legal action against the mall’s owner over the additions, which in 1991 saw a court order the demolition of the additional floors, Mr Wasan said.
While the ruling placed the onus of demolishing the building on the owner, it also stated that the BMA should take over the task if the owner failed to proceed as ordered.
But all the costs involved in the demolition had to be shouldered by the owner, Mr Wasan said.
While the mall’s owner had said it would assume responsibility for the demolition, it took no action to comply with the court order.
Mr Wasan said while the additional floors have been demolished, the main structure — which is now in danger of collapsing due to neglect — remains standing. The BMA has notified the owner about the demolition which will take eight to 12 months, Mr Wasan said.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2300326/demolition-work-begins-on-bang-lamphu-mall
