Bangkok governor being sued over buildings in Soi Ruamrudee

Lawyer Chalermpong Klabdee represents more than 20 residents of Soi Ruamrudee, including Grand Chamberlain Khwankeo Vajarodaya and Chulalongkorn University lecturer and royal doctor Dr Songkhram Sapcharoen.

The complainants accuse the Pathumwan District Office of issuing a document containing false information to allow the construction of two tall buildings on Soi Ruamrudee. The owner of the two construction projects is said to have good connections with influential people.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been blamed for not stopping the construction despite pleas from local people. "In spite of protests from the residents, the BMA and the Pathumwan District Office have allowed the construction to go ahead," Chalermpong said yesterday.

He said Apirak Kosayodhin, who is now seeking his second term as the Bangkok governor, headed the BMA at the time this case arose and then developed. So far, the complaint has not named Apirak in person.

"We have no intention to discred¬it anyone. We have to lodge the com¬plaint now because the case will soon expire," Chalermpong said, "We just complained about the office of Bangkok governor."

According to a BMA regulation, if a road is not wider than 10 metres, any construction along it must not rise above 23 metres from the ground.

Chalermpong insists that Soi Ruamrudee is not 10 metres wide along its entire length and thus should not be the location for an 18story condominium and shopping complex and a 24story hotel, which are set to emerge there.

He said that the BMA passed a regulation about construction heights in narrow lanes after a fire broke out at a big hotel in Soi Ruamrudee. As the soi was too narrow for fire trucks to carry out their operations efficiently, the fire caused huge casual¬ties.

"It has been two years and seven months since the people filed com¬plaints with the Bangkok governor and the Pathumwan District Office director, but they ignored the com¬plaints. Moreover the construction of the buildings continues," the lawyer said.

Chalermpong added that grave danger could haunt the residents of Soi Ruamrudee if a fire breaks out. He also pointed out that the presence of a big hotel and another large complex would increase traffic congestion in the area.

In response to the complaint, Apirak explained that he had in fact already ordered the Pathumwan District Office to look into the case after receiving the residents' com¬plaints.

Pathumwan District Office director Surakiart Limcharoen, meanwhile, said officials were now checking as to why the width of Soi Ruamrudee was not consistent.

"We have to check whether some portions of the soi are less than 10 metres wide because of encroachment," he said, "We have asked the Land Department to check the soi and confirm its width."

Surakiart said he welcomed the residents' move to bring the case to the Administrative Court.