• 
• 

Published on January 14, 2008

Chiang Mai's latest mega-project has been held back due to difficulties with the terms of reference (TOR), while the contract that was signed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with private companies is proving to be troublesome.

Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce president Narong Tananuwat said the centre was proceeding with a new TOR draft, because the Budget Bureau said the TAT and the Industry Ministry broke the original TOR's rules by changing the construction proposal. The bureau has cut the project's budget to Bt190 million from the original one, which was a massive Bt3 billion. Narong also said construction of the project had been frozen because of the recent political instability.

"What will happen next depends on the next government," said Narong.

He said the project when completed would be a tool for boosting tourism and business with Indochina and becoming a regional economic hub.

The project, initiated in June 1996, includes office space for small and medium-sized enterprises and an area for semi-permanent exhibits. There will be a convention hall, meeting rooms, an 8,000-square-metre exhibition area and a food area able to serve up to 1,400 diners. The centre's biggest convention room can be joined with the exhibition area to make up a combined space for up to 12,000 people.

Thipwaree Ruangjaem

Citylife, The Nation