Following construction delay, new Parliament site may be moved to Saraburi

Charoen told Nation TV that the building of the new Parliament complex has been set back due to several obstacles.
Among them, the Army and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s failure to settle differences over their plans to build new roads in the area which could affect the new Parliament location.
Charoen said the House committee in charge of construction of the new Parliament asked the BMA to relocate the planned site of its new bridge across the Chao Phraya River by 400 metres, but the BMA has disagreed so far.
Also, the Army cannot make the construction site available in time so the builder has not started work yet, Charoen said.
He said construction was put on hold as the dispute over the site continued and the government feared it would be fined if the work began before the dispute was resolved.
The previous House of Representatives selected the Army plot at the Kiakkai intersection for the site of the new Parliament complex. Then Parliament president Chai Chidchob signed a contract with the Army and launched the groundbreaking ceremony for construction.
The plot is now used by Yothin Burana School. Charoen said the school had not yet been relocated because it wants Bt600 million more for the construction cost of its new school on top of Bt1 billion the government has already approved.
“I am confused why the Yothin Burana School had to ask for more budget as earlier it was clearly agreed the school would be relocated at a budget of Bt1 billion,” Charoen said.
He said the government had also relocated residents of a community near the school by constructing 79 town houses for the families, but work on that had not started yet.
Another problem for building a new parliament building at the Kiakkai intersection is possible flooding, Charoen said.
He said the new Parliament would have its power control
room, a printing room and a
car park built underground so flooding could not damage the system.
Charoen said it was possible the House committee in charge of the construction would consider relocating the new Parliament during its meeting today – after a briefing on all the problems.
Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new high-speed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.
He said if the new Parliament is built in Saraburi, it should be completed in two years.
He said the site might belong to the Crown Property Bureau so the government could save money in not having to buy a new plot of land.
Charoen said the relocation of the new construction site must not use more budget or else officials involved might be accused of reaping benefits from the project.