The End of Bangkok’s Stonehenge
Construction of the Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System started back in 1990. The first phase was a north-south line from Hua Lamphong to Don Mueang International Airport. No feasibility study was done and there were many accusations of corruption. Work was first suspended in 1992 and then halted altogether during the 1997 financial crisis. At the time it was only about 10% completed with mainly pillars. This gave it the nickname of “Bangkok’s Stonehenge”. Now finally these pillars and beams are being removed piece by piece at an estimated cost of 200 Million Baht. They are making way for the Red Line. You can view more pictures by ChritsianPFC by clicking here.
No doubt a symbolic reminder on how much corruption exists in Thailand.
Johnny: The main contractor for the Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System was Hopewell, a Hong Kong company.
The Thai crown prince’s aircraft was impounded in 2011 due to a dispute with Walter Bau, a bankrupt German company which had been part of a consortium to design and build the Don Muang Tollway. Walter Bau sued the Thai government for breach of contract and had won an international arbitration judgement of €30 million, which had not been paid.
The two issues are not related.
I could be wrong, but I thin it was a German company. It was related to the German Government a year or 2 ago taking The Thai Princes B737 Jet (RTAF) in Germany for a 20,000,000USD payment (20 mill USD) due to the project and unpaid debt for work completed as they claimed the Jet was Gov property.
I will not miss these.
The original idea was well before your time but it was supposed to be a rail link and a new roadway but the Italian company pulled out not as you say due to corruption many court cases and many years later good Thai culture says let it go. Maybe they will remove the supports on Kasetsart Nawamin as well.
i’m wondering what will they do with these huge concrete blocks… and what a beast of a crane! Wow!
I will miss them 🙁
A comforting side show on the frequent trips to Immigration in Chaeng Watthana is to be no more.
RIP my stalwart friends.