Thailand’s Government defends decision to reject Contractor’s request for 5th extension of time on new parliament complex

Construction News
Earlier photo of the new parliament complex  in Kiakkai area of Bangkok (Bangkok Post file photo)

Thailand’s Government defends decision to reject Contractor’s request for 5th extension of time on new parliament complex

SEE ALSO: Deadline For Construction Of Thailand’s New Parliament Complex Looms

The House of Representatives has defended its decision to reject a request made by Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction to extend the construction period of the 12.2-billion-baht new parliament complex for the fifth time.

House secretary Pornpit Petcharoen said the chamber rejected the request on Monday because the company had failed to provide a sufficient reason for it.

The contractor cited the Secretariat of the House of Representatives’ delay in hiring workers to install the building’s information technology and audio-visual aid wiring system, Ms Pornpit said, but the House committee considering the request voted 6-3 to dismiss it.

The company has since appealed the decision and submitted a new request for a waiver of a fine it would have to pay for the delay.

It faces having to pay a fine of about 12 million baht, after having already spent 1,874 days on the project even after four extensions.

The fourth extension expired yesterday with only 70% of the project completed. The firm had been required to complete at least 95%.

Other works left unfinished include the installation of air-conditioning and IT systems and the construction of a power station and a helipad.

The project was originally due to be finished by Nov 24, 2015, within the initial 900-day contract.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2043967/house-justifies-extension-plea-rejection