In the latest chapter of an intriguing urban saga that has spanned the better part of a decade, former Senator Rosana Tositrakul has reignited calls for an overdue justice in the high-rise heart of Bangkok. With a sharp ultimatum on her Facebook post this Sunday, Rosana turned up the heat on Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, demanding a swift demolition of the Aetas condo—a towering 21-storey structure whose fate was sealed by the court’s decision a full ten years ago.
The crux of the matter? A long-standing legal battle anchored on a breach of the Building Control Act, whose resolution seems to have been lost amidst the administrative shuffle. The Supreme Administrative Court’s order for immediate demolition of the behemoth on Soi Ruamrudee has been caught in limbo, mirroring an unusual persistence as it continues to overshadow the local landscape, almost as if challenging the very winds of change.
For Governor Chadchart, the clock is ticking ominously. Failing to enforce the court’s directive could catapult him into legal waters: a fine line shadowed by Section 157 of the Criminal Code, which hints at charges of dereliction of duty. Rosana, with her seasoned political radar, paints a picture of accountability that can’t be neglected without repercussions.
Erected on a street narrower than the wingspan of your average fire engine, the Aetas has roused local trepidation since its inception. The apprehension dates back to 2005 when vigilant residents, spearheaded by the ever-determined Dr. Songkram Supcharoen, raised the alarm. Their voices, initially drowned out by bureaucratic approval from the Pathumwan district office, found resonance through the Foundation for Consumers, culminating in a lawsuit filed with the Central Administrative Court by 2008.
The verdict? A ruling eight years in the making that identified the building as a rogue establishment in violation of the legislative framework, its demolition mandated within a tight 60-day window. The city’s guardians, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), didn’t concede quietly—instead, they embarked on a legal odyssey that reached the Supreme Administrative Court. By October 2014, the court reinforced the earlier decision, placing the onus on officials to raise the judicial gavel and execute the demolition.
Surprisingly, or perhaps predictably, nothing happened. The condo still looms eerily over Pathumwan district, like a spectral reminder of a bureaucratic slip through the cracks, despite a definitive ruling borne of judicial resolve over a decade prior.
This defiance of judicial directive surfaced more than just legal frustration during a recent forum convened by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC). Dr. Songkram vocalized a haunting tale—a past fire incident at a nearby hotel, sadly accentuated by the narrow alleys that hindered life-saving interventions, marking a tragic footprint on Soi Ruamrudee’s map. It stands as a stark reminder of what can transpire when regulations are entangled in inertia.
The underlying message is clear: unchecked architectural ambitions can spiral into dangerous, potentially deadly scenarios. The tale of the Aetas is one of urban oversight, a narrative begging for a conclusion. What remains to be seen is whether those in power will rise to meet the challenge of change or allow history to remain stuck in its current loop, a loop whose cost could be counted in more than just bricks and mortar.
And so, Bangkok waits, eyeing its skyline with bated breath.
It’s about time someone spoke up about this travesty. The Aetas condo should have been torn down ages ago.
Totally agree! But why do you think it’s taken so long to act on the court’s decision?
Probably bureaucratic red tape and vested interests. They always seem to get in the way of progress.
Well, there’s always some ‘slip through the cracks’ excuse, right?
Not just red tape, but maybe pressure from the developers? Money talks.
I can’t believe the local authorities have ignored this issue for so long. It’s a blatant disregard for the law and public safety.
What annoys me the most is the fact that it took a decade for someone to reignite this issue. Shows how much they care about the residents.
That’s the problem with legal systems everywhere. So much talk, so little action!
This is why it’s vital to hold those in power accountable, but it’s never easy.
Honestly, sometimes I think these political stunts are just that—stunts. Will anything actually change?
You might be right! But isn’t it necessary to keep pushing for the demolition regardless of whether Rosana’s motives are political?
Yes, pushing for safety is crucial, but I wonder if people’s energy could be better invested elsewhere?
People’s energy should be focused on real dangers like fire risks. What if key services get impeded again?
Is it really that dangerous though? I’ve seen bigger buildings on smaller roads here.
It’s less about size and more about following the laws and ensuring safety.
Can’t believe after ten years we still haven’t solved this. How understaffed must the BMA be?
Kudos to Rosana for shining a light on this mess again. But does anyone know if Chadchart has publicly responded yet?
Not yet, as far as I’m aware. But I’m eagerly waiting to see what he says. Time for him to step up!
Why haven’t residents made more noise about this? The risk sounds significant!
This is just another example of big business trampling over individuals’ safety. No one should ever think profit matters more than lives.
Exactly, and yet here we are. It’s frustrating!
It makes you wonder about corruption at play too, sadly.
Bringing justice to Aetas is essential, but is there even a contingency plan if this persists?
Wishful thinking may not get us far. This seems to be deeply entrenched.
Looking at history, cases like this often take much longer to resolve. Just hope no tragedy hastens action.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the governor dragged his feet to protect some vested interest. It’s politics as usual.
Skeptical yet hopeful for action too.
Seeing how the system allows this infuriates me. Kudos to the citizens challenging these wrongs.
What’s more alarming is how many other buildings might be in the same situation. Could this just be a start?
Imagine living in those narrow streets every day, knowing that one emergency could mean catastrophe.
I’ll believe the condo will be demolished when I see the wrecking ball.