The bustling metropolis of Bangkok is not only famous for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks but also its skyline dotted with ever-reaching high-rise buildings. Recently, however, a rather unsettling revelation has shaken the city’s high-rise development scene. The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) has raised alarm bells about thirteen glittering skyscraper projects that may have strayed far from adhering to the city’s stringent construction laws.
Spearheading the discovery is Saree Aongsomwang, the secretary-general of TCC. On a sunny Thursday morning, she shared the council’s concern, revealing that they had received a flurry of grievances from residents in eleven neighborhoods. These residents courageously voiced their worries over safety and regulatory oversights surrounding the high-rise constructions threatening their community respites.
Upon diving deeper into these complaints, the TCC uncovered instances of alleged discrepancies. An astonishing thirteen construction projects were found to have veered off designated paths, showing deviations from their approved designs, and, in some instances, they even skimped on fulfilling the vital Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements. An alarming number of these projects were also reportedly flouting the critical Ministerial Regulation No. 33, which mandates a no-nonsense 6-meter-wide road or clearance space around the towering structures.
“Alas, these violations raise significant safety concerns,” uttered Ms. Saree, her brow furrowed with concern. “To prevent mishaps and uphold safety standards, collaboration with relevant agencies is a must. Building users deserve no less than peace of mind.”
Echoing her sentiments, Pornprom Okuchi, assistant secretary of the TCC’s subcommittee on real estate and housing, shared that these infractions have been uncovered in well-trafficked districts such as Ratchayothin, Saphan Khwai, and Ratchadaphisek.
Adding a twist in the unfolding tale, he elaborated that in some bizarre cases, what the developers promised was far from what the construction plans or EIA documents depicted. To make matters even quirkier, some designated areas that ought to have been pristine roads were instead fashioned into electric vehicle (EV) charging zones, flamboyant ornamental ponds, or even badminton courts and gyms.
The plot thickens further as TCC’s survey on eleven high-rise projects divulged that life-saving emergency access roads were co-opted into charming but impractical cafés or lush gardens. Such creative albeit misplaced use of territory leaves precious little room for fire trucks or emergency services to maneuver during urgent escapades.
Determined to address these deviances, the TCC has made formal pleas for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to step in and scrutinize ten of these projects, encompassing both finished marvels and those still being birthed from concrete and steel, for legal compliance.
Sinit Boonsit, a legal eagle perched in the Department of Public Works, reiterated the unbending law. “A clear, unobstructed 6-meter-wide road surface is not just a guideline—it’s a mandate! Even something as inconspicuous as a pot plant could be construed as a legal obstruction,” he exclaimed with conviction, his words echoing the gravity of the law.
The tangled tale of Bangkok’s high-rises is a potent reminder that as we stretch towards the sky, we must remain firmly rooted in the rules and regulations that bind us. Because at the heart of these escapades is the safety and well-being of the residents who call this frenetic, enchanting city home.
This situation is outrageous! How can builders just ignore the rules like this?
You know money talks louder than rules sometimes, especially in big cities like Bangkok.
I guess you’re right, Jane. But still, it’s about safety and people’s lives!
With all those high-rises, it’s not surprising there are shortcuts taken. It’s a classic case of profit over people.
I’m amazed that people even consider living in these buildings when they don’t adhere to safety codes.
People often don’t know about these issues until after they move in. Hiding things under shiny exteriors happens a lot.
It’s sad that they have to discover these issues in such a way. The authorities need to do more.
This is a serious oversight. I’m glad the TCC is stepping in to address this. Better late than never!
So typical of the bureaucracy here. Plenty of rules but little enforcement.
That’s why public outcry is crucial. It forces them to pay attention when enough people make noise about it.
True enough, but I wonder if the noise will lead to actual change or just temporary fixes?
Can we talk about how this impacts the environment too? Skipping out on EIAs is no joke.
I live near one of these buildings and I can tell you, it’s frightening to think what could happen in an emergency!
Same here, Kevin. It’s like playing with fire, and we are the ones who’ll get burned.
Exactly! The authorities need to act fast. Lives are at risk.
Go Ms. Saree! Glad someone is standing up to these developers.
Let’s not be naive. Real estate is a dirty business and this is just scratching the surface.
I would love to know the names of these companies involved! Public shame might push them to change.
Even if names are revealed, will they face any real consequences? That’s the big question.
Having bad experiences here makes me wary of tall buildings in developing countries. It’s either corruption or sheer negligence.
What’s with turning emergency routes into badminton courts? That’s ridiculous and dangerous.
Haha, that’s creative planning for you I guess. But really, it’s a testament to the lax oversight.
Do you think all high-rises face similar issues, or just these few? I’m anxious now.
I bet a lot of them do. Developers often cut costs and corners unless held accountable.
As a builder myself, I know corner-cutting happens when regulations are poorly enforced. We need stricter inspections!
Is this just about safety or also about how these buildings fit into the city’s ecosystem?
I’m all for development but not at the cost of safety. These builders need to face hefty fines.
Perhaps TCC can set a precedent here, so other cities follow suit in enforcing laws better.