Somsak”, Minister of Public Health, ordered close monitoring of the construction of the patient building at Trang Hospital after “Chuan Leekpai” sent a letter of complaint against the contractor who abandoned the work and did not complete the construction since 2011. It was revealed that the company abandoned the work 3 times and is currently making a contract for the 4th time. It is expected to be completed in 2026. All parties are urged to control the construction to be completed on schedule. Do not let it drag on like in the past.
On October 13, 2024, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, revealed that he had received a letter requesting to follow up and resolve the problem of the contractor abandoning the construction project of the outpatient and emergency building at Trang Hospital from Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Democrat Party-list MP. The letter stated that Trang Provincial Hospital had a project to construct an outpatient and emergency building, a 7-storey reinforced concrete building, which had
been allocated in the 2011 budget. However, it turned out that the contractor was irresponsible, abandoned the work, and had prolonged problems, causing the project to be suspended for several years. In addition, equipment used in the completed building had deteriorated and become damaged. Therefore, he asked the Minister of Public Health to help follow up on this matter.
Mr. Somsak also revealed that he gave this matter great importance because the construction of the additional patient building would help increase access to public health services for people in the area and nearby provinces. Therefore, if the construction is not completed, it will directly affect the people. Therefore, he has urgently followed up on this matter and found that the construction of the building began on July 11, 2012 with a budget of 421 million baht for the years 2011-2013. The company that came to construct it was called Gemini and Associates Co., Ltd., but it was unable to work according to the proposed plan. Throughout t
he contract period until May 11, 2015, only 1 installment of work was delivered, so the contract was canceled.
Mr. Somsak revealed that later, a second contract was made for Tosaporn Engineering Group Co., Ltd. to operate since November 7, 2016, but only 6 installments were delivered. After that, construction could not continue as planned, so the contract was canceled on December 19, 2019. As a result, a third contract was made with ST-Maxence-TW Joint Venture on March 31, 2020, but only 7 installments were delivered. After that, construction could not continue as planned, so the contract was canceled on August 31, 2023. Currently, they are looking for contractors to construct the remaining parts, with a budget of 45.8 million baht for 2024 and 234.2 million baht for 2026, totaling 280 million baht.
‘The inspection found that the construction of the building, all 3 contracts that had to be canceled, was due to the contractor not being able to deliver the work as specified in the contract, which was a delay
in construction. In this regard, I have urged all relevant agencies to closely monitor the construction and not let the contractor have problems like the previous 3 contracts. The 4th contract, with 10 installments of work, is currently in the process of announcing the bid announcement. It is expected that the price will be submitted on October 25, 2024, and construction is expected to be completed in 2026. I would like to emphasize that all relevant agencies help monitor the construction to be completed on schedule in order to increase access to public health services for our brothers and sisters,’ said the Minister of Public Health.
Source: Thai News Agency