The grand architectural ambition known as the Sappaya-Sapasathan, dreamt up way back in 2013, faced a series of delays and budget spirals before it finally opened its doors in July 2019. But the building’s gravitas wasn’t enough to shield it from an epic cost overrun—from an estimated 13 billion baht to a staggering 24 billion! Yet, the opulent photo readiness aside, this temple of parliamentary grandeur still seems to demand more than its fair share of attention and expenditure (Photo: Nittaya Nattayai).
Fast forward to today, and the parliamentary conference room at the heart of the beast is up for a glitzy renovation—one meant to save a pretty penny down the line for seminar-happy committees. Deputy House Speaker Paradorn Prissanananthakul has jumped to the defense amid criticisms of a near 1.2 billion baht proposal for upgrades set for fiscal 2026. The committee’s trips to ritzy hotels for rented spaces could be a thing of the past!
Parliament’s underbelly won’t escape the razzmatazz either. It’s a renovation bonanza! Among the ventures under Mr. Paradorn’s keen eye are the sprucing up of the parliamentary library and breathing new life into that “burial chamber” some call a museum. With 120 million baht in the pot, it’s destined to be a space where parliamentary pomp meets public education. Think museum, not mausoleum—a makeover morphing shadowy corridors into vibrant halls of history.
Oh, and let’s hear it for the conference room—a cavernous 1,500-seat wonderland—that’ll get its sound system jazzed up for a breezy 99 million baht. “Worth every satang!,” says Mr. Paradorn, pledging to ensure this auditory upgrade doesn’t fly off budgetary rails.
This rabble-rousing renewal fervor has met some raised eyebrows, mainly from the opposition murmuring about outlandish basement spaces. But Mr. Paradorn disarmingly countered the “tomb” criticisms, proposing effervescent designs that’ll usher the space into the light of day—metaphorically, of course.
The conference hall is integral to Mr. Paradorn’s plans. Originally part of the vision, it’s being brought from parchment to parliament, addressing the financial folly of hiring hotel halls for legislative pow-wows. Reduction in the planned budget from 160–170 million baht down to a crisp 99 million baht aims to keep critics at bay.
And the 2026 budget, still in its drafting infancy, promises parliamentary scrutiny. No stone unturned. Every thesis is to be rigorously probed by MPs and external experts. Should any project be declared less-than-worthwhile, out it goes! The fiscal checkbook, contrary to any whispers of frivolity, isn’t being recklessly inked just yet.
Unlike some who eschew explanations, Mr. Paradorn relishes in clarity. Why renovate a five-year-old monument to modern politics, you ask? Certainly not for repairs—that’s dusty territory! It’s all about finishing grand designs and optimizing underused nooks to their potential. Structural warranty? That ship sailed, but Mr. Paradorn insists: this is about extensions, not repairs.
The high priest of renovations, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, strides into the debate, invoking the daily clamour of thousands throughout parliament’s corridors as defense. Despite familial ties, Mr. Anutin’s busy hands are entirely off Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc, the build-and-bolster brainchild behind Sappaya-Sapasathan’s edifice—or refined drama, depending on your perspective.
Years rolled by fast since construction grants were penned in 2013. Originally earmarked for grand opening by late 2015, the building became a languid dance with deadlines, stretching ambitions and costs in equal measure. By August 2019, Sappaya-Sapasathan welcomed MPs, but alas, another year drifted before it was formally handed to the steel-clad arms of government, in July 2024.
Complaints have sometimes served as the building’s soundtrack: leaking roofs and plumbing woes mingle with unsigned tales of unmet specifications. So here stand Mr. Paradorn and his ilk, eager to transform woes into wins and blueprints into structured victories at Thailand’s parliamentary jewel.
This renovation sounds more like a vanity project than a necessary upgrade. Could this money not be better spent elsewhere?
But think about the long-term savings. Keeping everything in-house could cut down costs significantly.
I agree with Anna. Savings or not, spending this much on renovations is outrageous when there are so many pressing issues in the country.
I see your point, Mike, but the track record of remaining within budget in such projects is not great. It seems reckless to me.
Why not dedicate those funds to improving public services? It feels like our priorities are upside down.
Using hotels for meetings is a colossal waste when a purpose-built space is right there. About time they do something about it!
Agreed. But I hope this budget doesn’t just balloon out of control again.
Projects like this often benefit from political endorsements, regardless of actual need. Makes you wonder who’s really reaping the benefits.
Sure, there’s always politics involved, but that’s how things get done. Every country has its flavor of this.
It’s clear that Paradorn wants to leave a legacy. But the question remains: at what cost to the taxpayer?
Imagine if they put as much effort into education as they do in renovating buildings. Our kids deserve better.
I think Paradorn’s focus on using unused spaces is wise in principle. Let’s just hope they actually follow through responsibly.
It’s always about execution though, isn’t it? A good plan can be destroyed by bad management.
True, which is why transparency is so important in these processes. Hopefully, the scrutiny Mr. Paradorn talks about is genuine.
Why is the sound system costing 99 million baht? They better be getting a concert hall experience at that price!
Professional audio setup can be pricey, but 99 million still sounds excessive.
It’s crucial to remember that buildings like this are symbols. Investments in them can inspire pride and respect.
Or, GrowBig, they can fuel resentment and cynicism if they disregard the public’s actual needs.
I wonder whether these upgrades could possibly address the past construction issues like leaks and plumbing problems.
You’d hope so, Gigi, but they seem more focused on cosmetic changes than functional fixes.
That would be a shame, SeniorMike. Functionality should come first.
Different people, same drama every time there’s a large-scale government construction. Transparency is key!
I often think the outrage over these projects overshadows the genuine improvements they can bring.
Only if the improvements actually materialize, Emily. Otherwise, it’s just money down the drain.
I don’t trust ‘effervescent designs’—sounds like a new way to waste money.
Effervescent or not, they surely could use some freshness, just hopefully not at an extortionate cost.