Down by the serene banks of the Chao Phraya River, the new parliament building presents itself as a modern jusxtaposition amidst Bangkok’s bustling streetscape. Behind its impressive facade, a fiercely debated project has recently bubbled to the surface; a parking facility with a staggering price tag that has politicians and the public alike scratching their heads.
The People’s Party (PP), helmed by the astute MP Parit Wacharasindhu, has set its crosshairs on this latest budgetary conundrum. On a bright Wednesday morning, Parit, who knows his way around parliamentary finances like a magician with a hat, spread out the blueprints of an eyebrow-raising project. The House of Representatives, he revealed, has green-lighted a 104.5-million-baht venture for a state-of-the-art car park located along Sam Sen Road. This announcement, discreetly signed under the pen of House secretary-general, Sub Lt Aphat Sukkhanant, has raised more than just eyebrows since its inception in late March.
Of all the upgrades and renovations planned for the parliamentary estate, it’s this expansive parking project that carries the heftiest price tag, more than 4.5 billion baht to be exact. Blessed by the cabinet’s principle approval on January 28th, this project reaches deep into the coffers with its intended financing plan spanning the fiscal years of 2026 to 2028. Yet, a critical 1.53 billion baht for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year is still swinging between approval and denial, awaiting its fate at the deliberation table from May 28-30.
To shed light on what some might call fiscal audacity, Parit and his committee are gearing up to summon representatives from the House secretariat for some candid disclosures, scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Underground, this parking palace will plunge 13 meters deep, sprawling across at least three levels, ready to nestle around 4,600 vehicles, with its sprawling design not forgetting our beloved four-wheeled behemoths—buses, whose noble duty is to ferry the voiceless public around.
The buzz around this budgetary behemoth doesn’t just end at subterranean vehicular abodes. When the curtain lifted on requested supplementary funds, heads turned quicker than if someone shouted “free snacks”. Among the lavish proposals, a hefty 113 million baht is marked for sprucing up the gleaming Sala Kaeo, known to insiders as the Crystal Pavilion, while an extravagant 180 million baht budget beckons the installation of a 4D cinema—oops, excuse me—a multifaceted information room as the parliament likes to label it.
All this while another 118 million baht seems destined to make the seminar rooms sparkle under fresh and fancy lighting, 117 million baht to turn the kitchen from functional to phenomenal with a dash of recreational pizzazz, not to forget a coughing-worthy 99 million baht plotting an overhaul of the acoustics and visuals in the grand 1,500-seater conference arena.
Critics have their list of grievances prepared, pointing out the irony of demanding thick wads of additional budget bills for refurbishment just over a year since the new chambers grand opening. Whether extravagance or necessity, this project certainly has all eyes on it, like the latest blockbuster at the before-mentioned information room. And as the debate rages on, the people await with bated breath, keenly watching how this fascinating fiscal narrative unfolds by the river’s edge.
Why build such an absurdly expensive car park when people can use public transport? This is just another waste of taxpayer money!
I agree! Investing in public transport makes more sense than pouring billions into a parking space.
@ModernTransporter True, but what can you expect from a government known for lavish spending on impractical projects?
Everyone forgets that not every part of the city is easily accessible by public transit yet. We need mixed solutions until that changes.
Fair point, but surely there’s a more balanced approach than spending billions on a car park?
Parit’s questioning is on point. This scale of funding should focus on necessities rather than frivolous upgrades.
I’m actually excited about the 4D cinema…oops, I mean ‘information room’. It sounds cool and educational.
It’s a waste of money disguised as something educational. There are cheaper ways to distribute information.
Exactly, it sounds like they’re just trying to impress rather than actually improve learning!
We must remember these are public funds. Transparency and necessity should dictate their use, not ego.
The long-term ROI of such an investment seems dubious at best, especially amid other pressing fiscal needs.
Has anyone considered the traffic congestion this might cause? More cars in the area isn’t a good thing!
Good point! More cars could equal more pollution and congestion, totally going against green city plans.
Parit’s scrutiny is warranted. Additional budget bills so soon after the opening indeed raise legitimate concerns.
It’s almost like they planned this from the start to bleed us dry!
Besides Parit’s point, what about improving infrastructure in other parts of the city? It’s like all the funds flow to one fancy area.
Simply put: more transparency needed, less show. Parliament seems more interested in appearances than genuine improvements.
To be fair, infrastructure investment can uplift the entire city’s economy, but this feels like the wrong project.
True, strategic investments can do wonders, but not all that glitters is gold, right?
I wish half the attention this project receives could be aimed at rural developments. They get left behind!
Follow the money and it’ll reveal why this parking project suddenly got priority. It’s all about who benefits.
Yup, the few benefiting over the needs of the many, classic ploy.
I see the need for an upgrade, but the elements like the ‘Crystal Pavilion’ feel more like ornate fluff than necessity.
The fact that further deliberation is pending shows that there’s still hope for reconsideration. Fingers crossed for wiser decisions!
These kinds of discussions bring out the best of democracy. At least we can critique and question openly.
Agreed, it’s up to us to keep empowering those who will make intelligent decisions with our money.