Thailand’s Government defends decision to reject Contractor’s request for 5th extension of time on new parliament complex
SEE ALSO: Deadline For Construction Of Thailand’s New Parliament Complex Looms
The House of Representatives has defended its decision to reject a request made by Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction to extend the construction period of the 12.2-billion-baht new parliament complex for the fifth time.
House secretary Pornpit Petcharoen said the chamber rejected the request on Monday because the company had failed to provide a sufficient reason for it.
The contractor cited the Secretariat of the House of Representatives’ delay in hiring workers to install the building’s information technology and audio-visual aid wiring system, Ms Pornpit said, but the House committee considering the request voted 6-3 to dismiss it.
The company has since appealed the decision and submitted a new request for a waiver of a fine it would have to pay for the delay.
It faces having to pay a fine of about 12 million baht, after having already spent 1,874 days on the project even after four extensions.
The fourth extension expired yesterday with only 70% of the project completed. The firm had been required to complete at least 95%.
Other works left unfinished include the installation of air-conditioning and IT systems and the construction of a power station and a helipad.
The project was originally due to be finished by Nov 24, 2015, within the initial 900-day contract.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2043967/house-justifies-extension-plea-rejection
