MP Chalermpong posted on his official Facebook page that he and his team had inspected the PEA customer service center under construction in Moo 2, Ratsada, following complaints from local residents.
According to the complaints, one of the two contractors involved in the project is China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd ‒ a local unit of China’s state-owned China Railway Group ‒ the same Chinese company that had built the now-collapsed State Audit Office in Bangkok.
The collapse of the incomplete Auditor General’s office came after an earthquake in Myanmar caused structural damage in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Given the situation, concerns over the structural integrity of other buildings constructed by the same company have intensified, MP Chalermpong said.
Construction of the PEA building in Ratsada began on Feb 18, 2021, with a budget of B210 million. Now, four years later, the building remains incomplete, with cracks showing in the concrete.
MP Chalermpong stressed the need for thorough inspections of the Phuket PEA building to ensure that the materials and construction processes meet safety standards.
He called on relevant authorities to verify whether the materials used match the approved designs.
At the building site in Ratsada this morning (Apr 1), workers were still on-site, installing electrical systems and completing structural extensions.
However, cracks were found on multiple floors, raising further concerns.
When reporters attempted to take photographs, workers quickly placed black shade cloth around the perimeter, obscuring visibility.
MP Chalermpong also revealed that the Chinese contractor had previously faced allegations of wage fraud, with at least 16 workers suing for unpaid compensation.
Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the government bidding process, with reports that the Chinese company had subcontracted work to a property firm, which then failed to pay its workers. A related lawsuit is currently ongoing in court.
“I will be gathering all these issues and submitting them to the Budget Monitoring Committee for review,” MP Chalermpong stated.
“It is critical to examine how government funds are being used and whether the materials and structural integrity of these projects meet safety regulations.”