Underpass construction company faces multi-million baht fines

PHUKET: The construction company building the more than 800-million-baht Samkong underpass has until December 21 to finish the project before hefty fines are implemented, Bureau of Bridge Construction Director Narin Srisompun said yesterday.

“Wiwat Construction Co Ltd is only 54 per cent finished with the project. At this rate, construction won’t finish until June. However, the contract – which has already been extended three times – ends on December 21,” said Mr Narin. “They legally had the right to ask for three extensions. They have no excuses now.”

Nonetheless, the government must grant Wiwat Construction Co Ltd further time until the end of January before they strip them of the contract. During this time period, the company will be fined 2mn baht a day.

“By the end of January, the fine will have reached 10 per cent of the total project costs. After that, the governor has the right to cancel the contract and levy the 80mn-baht fine on the company.”

The project has been plagued with issues, such as regular flooding during the rainy season and serious road-safety concerns, which saw citizens having to take personal initiatives to fix dangerous surfaces on the bypass road near the site (story here).

“If Wiwat Construction Co Ltd decides not to continue with the project past the end of January, despite garnering government approval, we are more than prepared to take on the project,” Mr Narin said.

— Chutharat Plerin