The saga of Chon Buri’s ambitious 20,000-seat football stadium is one for the ages. It’s the kind of story that makes you marvel at human tenacity and perhaps wince a little at the inevitable tangles of bureaucracy. According to Poramet Ngampichet, the mayor of Pattaya, this grand project has seen a fair share of storms—figurative and literal—since the construction endeavor kicked off 17 years ago.
Nestled in the Bang Lamung district, this sprawling stadium sits on a 371-rai plot that promises to be a sporting spectacle like no other. The ambitious dream took flight back in 2008 with a healthy injection of 774 million baht and a hopeful finish line penned for 2017. Alas, a cocktail of setbacks—some might say legendary—has blunted its progress. Picture vast expanses of stubborn rocky ground that challenge even the fearsomest of drills, and you begin to understand the arduous journey of the project.
The journey of construction has been akin to an epic tale of trials, where Pattaya City’s plan took a tactical swerve by bringing in military engineers. With an additional budget of 398 million baht, these engineers valiantly drilled away, battling not just the rock but also the constraints of time and resources. But as fate would have it, the story took another twist when a new contractor stepped into the fray. The unwelcome arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic threw yet another wrench into the works, stretching the project timeline further with a shortage of workers.
In this chapter of grievances, Mr. Poramet lamented how the contractor, after disbursing the budget in 12 hearty instalments amounting to 143.2 million baht, abruptly abandoned ship. Undeterred, Pattaya City promptly seized a 50 million baht deposit from the contractor but still found themselves looking at an 80-million-baht-sized hole. With resolve, they filed a lawsuit, chasing a missing fortune while rallying once more for the stadium’s completion.
Plot twist: on September 27, 2023, like a beacon of hope, the project was handed over to a new contractor armed with a shiny new budget of 377 million baht and a ticking clock demanding completion within 820 days. Despite the challenges, work has impressively surged forward with a progress rate of 44.09%, a cool 4.72% ahead of the initially envisioned timeline, drawing applause from Mr. Poramet.
Ahead looms the rainy season, with skies likely to gather ominously in the middle of May, threatening to extend the construction adventure. As a precautionary tale, the diligent contractor has been given marching orders to ramp up the pace before the heavens open. Yet, in this journey fraught with hurdles, not a single unfortunate incident has further marred the timeline, allowing work to bustle along undeterred.
Will they reach the eagerly anticipated finish line by December 25? Only time can tell. However, the path is now lit brightly with additional funds earmarked for plush seats and a stunning landscaped horizon, defining the viewer experience. The pore over the meticulous procurement plan shall be finalized within the year, promises Mr. Poramet. As Pattaya inches closer to unveiling its new sporting jewel, one can’t help but root for the project that has truly tested the endurance of those involved.
17 years for a stadium? That’s ridiculous! How can they be so bad at planning?
It’s not just about planning. The terrain and unforeseen events really made it difficult.
Come on, it’s just some rocks. They should have anticipated these challenges.
I think we should commend their resilience. Many projects would have folded under such difficulties.
Resilience is great, but accountability is better. Who is responsible for the delay?
Accountability is key. Still, heads should roll if this fails again!
We need constructive solutions, not just blame. Let’s focus on moving forward.
As long as it’s done by December, I’m happy. Our city needs more attractions.
Military engineers being involved was a smart move. They can handle this terrain much better.
Agreed. But we should worry about their other possible agendas.
Military projects are efficient. Civilians need their help more often.
The constant re-budgeting is a financial nightmare. Can the city even afford this?
Investment in infrastructure is crucial. It will pay back in tourism and local pride.
That’s if it gets completed. These projects often drag on endlessly.
True, infrastructure is key. The risk of overruns is concerning in such unstable times.
Honestly, I’m just excited to go to some matches there when it’s done!
Same here! The atmosphere will be electric in a new stadium.
Hope they at least let fans in for free for the first few matches after all this chaos.
How will the rainy season affect construction? I’m worried about more delays.
Everyone loves a good underdog story. I believe they’ll finish before December!
Hate to break it to you, but these fairytale endings are rare, especially in construction.
Why not use drones for surveying? They could cut down on misinformation and speed things up.
Because practical solutions aren’t always welcome in traditional projects.
I’m just so thrilled they finally got a new contractor! Fingers crossed they see it through.
Do we even know what amenities will be included? I hope they include something for families.
Heard there will be family sections with great accessibility and amenities.
The previous contractor should be held accountable for time and money wasted.
They sued them, which is a start, but more legal action should follow.
It’s just a stadium, people! It’s not like it’s solving world hunger.
True, but sports are a huge part of community culture and economy.
It may not solve world hunger, but it does bring joy to many and create jobs.
I hope safety is being prioritized given these budget issues.
Must admit, seeing progress ahead of schedule is refreshing for once.
Right? It’s like spotting a unicorn in the world of construction.
Why hasn’t there been more international coverage? This could draw global interest.
Wondering if there will be naming rights. That could bring in revenue.
Imagine esports events there! Perfect venue size for those tournaments.
Great idea! Diversification could boost the stadium’s relevance.