In the aftermath of the recent cataclysmic earthquake in Myanmar, all eyes have turned towards a Chinese contractor with ties to an array of construction projects across Thailand. One particularly delayed endeavor is the female student dormitory at Phuket Rajabhat University, and concerns regarding the structural integrity of its seven-story edifice have reached an all-time high. On April 3, the officials from the Phuket division of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT Phuket) embarked on a high-priority mission to assess the structural soundness of this project, crafted by the hands of China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd.
This contractor is an extension of China’s vast state-owned conglomerate, the China Railway Group, which already has the unenviable blemish of constructing a 33-story high-rise for the State Audit Office in Bangkok, a partial collapse of which followed the seismic activity on March 28. With cautionary sirens blaring and an increasing dread of potential frailties, officials from DPT rallied to appraise the dormitory’s sturdiness as an urgent directive from the capital city echoed across the province.
Yet, as the site visit unfurled, it seemed an unintended drama brews its course. Initially, accessing the premises seemed akin to scaling the Great Wall—university administrators, doubly fortified with procedure and protocols, resisted allowing officials in without formal clearance. A tense, albeit brief, standoff poised the officials to cool their heels for thirty suspense-laden minutes before gaining entry. Once inside, there was a caveat akin to whispering in a library—they were discreetly urged to abstain from capturing photographs during the evaluation.
Ditthaphon Kaewmunichoke, the presiding engineering maestro, shared insights into the grand odyssey that is the dormitory project. Conceived in 2020 with a financial canvas painted with roughly 132 million baht, its unveiling was charted for 2022. However, the unwelcome intervention of the Covid-19 pandemic tossed a wrench into the works, resulting in a two-year delay.
Ditthaphon candidly acknowledged there were indeed “some hiccups” during the construction phases, ultimately leading to the company’s financial slap on the wrist for tardiness. Nevertheless, he stood assuredly by the materials—steel and cement no less—which, he emphasized, underwent rigorous scrutiny to ensure national standards were never compromised. “The building is structurally sound and safe for use,” he reaffirmed, noting that initial inspections bore no ominous findings—no cracks, no damage in sight.
Yet the dormitory’s scrutiny is part of a broader tapestry of worry, revealing more cracks in the vicinity—specifically, in the structure of the emerging Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) office in Ratsada, another project on China Railway Number 10’s docket. And if that weren’t enough on their construction plate, they are also fashioning an extensive 354-unit residential project in Phuket, backed by a hefty 343 million baht budget, as reported by Phuket News.
Amid escalating apprehensions, the Department of Special Investigation dives into the swirling eddies of potential nominee shareholdings by Thai elites in China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), according to Bangkok Post. Echoing the public distrust and calls for transparency, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee encapsulated the collective ethos, stating, “It is critical to scrutinize how public funds are being allocated and whether the structural and material standards of these undertakings genuinely fulfill safety requisites.”
Meanwhile, in the bustling streets and buzzing newsrooms of Thailand, the nation continues to grapple with stories as varied as the colors of a Thai silk tapestry. From the bizarre encounter with a dog heartworm that could drive a pet lover barking mad, to the frustrating resumption of an emergency alert trial in Phuket post-quake failures; from the beach-laden oasis of Pattaya teeming with hotel surges as its twin, Hua Hin, falters for travelers, to the ominous warnings of sinkholes appearing as if by dark magic in Mae Hong Son after the tremors. Each tale, another thread in the vibrant mosaic of Thailand’s relentless narrative voyage where humor and humanity find their delicate balance.
I don’t trust these big corporations handling such important projects. It’s scary to think students might be living in unsafe buildings!
I can see your concern, but let’s not jump to conclusions. They said the building is structurally sound according to national standards.
True, but can we really trust their word after the high-rise collapse in Bangkok?
Of course there are issues. Corruption is rampant in these infrastructure projects. Follow the money and you’ll find the real problems.
Not sure about that. Sometimes delays and issues are just due to unforeseen events like the pandemic. It’s not always corruption.
The officials being blocked from entering the site immediately raises red flags. What are they trying to hide?
Procedures exist for a reason. The university likely just followed protocol for safety and liability reasons before letting them in.
I understand policies, but during emergencies, flexibility is key. What if it was a life or death situation?
Chinese contractors being involved in so many local projects does worry me. It’s like we’re outsourcing everything vital.
Global economy, my friend. They’re here because their bids are competitive, and they get the job done. Not everything is sinister.
I hope there’s a wake-up call before any tragedy happens. The dorm issue highlights the need for stricter oversight and safety checks.
Agreed. It’s everyone’s responsibility, including the government, to ensure safety standards are met before any project nears completion.
Absolutely! Accountability should be enforced across all levels.
How about some focus on why no photos were allowed during the inspection? Feels like an attempt to control the narrative.
Probably trying to avoid panic. A little secrecy can be good until all facts are confirmed.
I get that, but transparency builds trust. People deserve to know the real state of things.
I find it ironic that the country with the Great Wall struggles with basic structural integrity elsewhere. Maybe they should hire some historians.
Financial penalties for delays? That’s not enough if safety is compromised. Lives are at stake here.
Another case of foreign companies coming into Thailand and exploiting our resources. When will it stop?
Not exploitation if it provides jobs and infrastructure. We just need better regulations.
Fair point, but we need to ensure Thai interests and safety always come first.
I’m just glad students were off-campus during the earthquake. Safety should be prioritized over everything else.
Cost-cutting is rampant everywhere. Let’s hope it’s not compromising safety standards. This story seems fishy.
With all the development in Phuket, let’s hope these projects are more boon than bane for tourism in the long run.
Could be a learning opportunity for engineering students. They should be involved in assessing such real-world cases.
I think people should have faith in modern engineering techniques as long as standards are adhered to.
Why can’t we just work together with mutual trust instead of always pointing fingers? Let’s build a better future.