Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Wed, 6 Jan 1993 14:50:14 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Supreme Command told to move

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 92 00:40:01+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>
Subject: Bangkok Post Dec 30: Supreme Command told to move elsewhere


THE Cabinet yesterday ordered that the Supreme Command abandon
existing construction and build its new headquarters in Bangkok's
northern suburbs.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said there were also plans for other
government departments housed in buildings in the Royal Plaza area
to be gradually relocated elsewhere.

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suthep Thueksuban
said Mr Chuan would appoint a committee to assess how the present
Supreme Command site could best be redeveloped for use by all
Bangkok residents.

The relocation was among four options proposed by the Supreme
Command and Defence Ministry at the Prime Minister's instruction
after the project came under heavy attack from the Opposition.

Opposition leaders, during the Budget Bill debate earlier this
month, demanded that the project be scrapped because of the
proximity of the 10-storey building (two of them underground) to
the Royal Plaza where the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and
Equestrian Statue of King Rama V are located.

In the Supreme Command's report to the Cabinet, the armed forces
headquarters proposed four options for consideration: maintaining
the building height at 25.65 metres; reducing it by two storeys to
21.8 metres; relocation to a site provided by the Government; or
relocation to a Supreme Command site off Ram-intra Road in Bang
Khen.

Government deputy spokesman Thamrong Thaimongkol said the Cabinet
decided on the last option after a lengthy debate.

The Supreme Command had contracted Benjamas construction company
to build the new headquarters at a cost of 978.3 million baht.
Already about 205 million baht has been spent for work which began
on January 17 this year. The project is due for completion in
1,200 days or on May 7, 1995.

Mr Chuan said the Cabinet had considered a more appropriate use
for the site in the future before agreeing unanimously to select
the last proposal made by the Supreme Command headquarters.

The construction contract with Benjamas company will remain valid.

"We are not scrapping the construction contract. We are moving
construction work to somewhere else," he said.

The Defence Ministry will be responsible for negotiating the
details with the company on how the contract could be adjusted to
accommodate the change.

"The company has not violated the contract and we cannot scrap
it," the Prime Minister said, adding that officials have yet to
discuss with Benjamas if it wished to claim for damages which may
be caused by the Cabinet decision.

"We cannot put the blame on anybody because no one has violated
the law in this regard," the Premier said.

Mr Chuan said he regretted that 205 million baht in taxpayers'
money had already been spent on the project but he felt the
long-term gains were more worthwhile.

"This will benefit Bangkok because we can no longer find pieces of
land of this size in the city."

Mr Suthep said the new Supreme Command headquarters would be
relocated on land owned by the armed forces off Ram-intra Road
where the Joint Security Command is currently housed.

Mr Thamrong said several Cabinet ministers spoke against
construction of the building on its present site and all agreed it
must be moved.

He said Deputy Communications Minister Thawee Kraikupt said a
building on the present design would violate the law by exceeding
official limits on the height.

It would also dominate the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and
Equestrian Statue and may worsen the traffic situation in and
around the area, Commerce Minister Uthai Pimchaichon was quoted as
saying.

Justice Minister Suvit Khunkitti said the other buildings in the
Supreme Command compound should also be relocated along with the
new building.

Mr Thamrong said the site of the present Supreme Command
headquarters was originally bought by King Rama V and later turned
into a royal park called Suan Dusit.

A Fine Arts Deparment committee suggested that the area be
renovated and restored based on King Rama V's initiative, said Mr
Thamrong.
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