BMA finally signs deal for demolition of Aetas hotel

Aetas Hotel and Residence (file photo)

City Hall will ink a deal with a contractor to knock down the Aetas Hotel and Residence, following long delays and court battles involving two illegally built high-rises in Soi Ruamrudee 2.

After the plan was postponed for more than four years, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Wednesday the bid for the demolition work had wrapped up. He said the city requires a budget of 160 million baht, 40 million baht less than its earlier estimate, for the project.

The Supreme Administrative Court in October 2014 granted City Hall permission to demolish the two buildings within 60 days, but the verdict was not enforced until 2017. Terms of reference (ToR) appeared on its website last year as it sought a suitable contractor.

City officials are in talks with the bid winner regarding legal issues and the demolition schedule. Other state agencies will help facilitate the work and ensure it is carried out safely, Pol Gen Aswin said.

"We'll knock down the whole buildings" not just those floors deemed illegal, he added.

According to the ruling, the 18- and 24-storey buildings violated a city ordinance that requires the size and height of buildings to correspond with the width of the road outside in Pathumwan district.

Local residents took the case to the Administrative Court in 2008, blaming former city executives for approving its construction on a minor road, or soi, which was too narrow. This harmed the environment and caused heavy traffic congestion, they argued.

Two corporate property owners, Tabtimtorn and Lapprathan, disagreed with the demolition and have been trying without success to appeal the verdict.

The Supreme Administrative Court dropped their petition last September. Upholding the lower court's decision, the judge said the case did not involve a dispute over City Hall's administrative order.

The owners paid a fine of 30,000 baht for violating a ban on building uses.