Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang has denied accusations of negligence in demolishing the illegally built Aetas Hotel and serviced apartment, saying the demolition plans are in process.
Mr Aswin was speaking at a hearing at the Administrative Court Wednesday.
Accompanying him was Nawaphon Klinbuakaeo, Pathumwan district's chief.
The hearing took place after a community in Soi Ruamrudee filed a petition with the court accusing the BMA of disobeying a court order to demolish the illegal establishment.
A Supreme Administrative Court ruling in December 2014 ordered City Hall to knock down the two buildings in Soi Ruamrudee in Pathumwan district within 60 days.
"City Hall has not been taking this case lightly. We have been complying with the law," Pol Gen Aswin said after the hearing.
He said city officials cannot carry out the demolition work as quickly as it might want because the buildings' owners are appealing against the court ruling.
City Hall has put up a notice board prohibiting the use of the buildings in the meantime, Pol Gen Aswin said, adding any violation would lead to a daily fine of 30,000 baht that will take effect from Nov 13.
Mr Aswin said he had also asked the BMA to approve a 200-million-baht budget for the demolition work.
City Hall plans to sue the Aetas Hotel later to reclaim the cost.
"We hope the Administrative Court will understand all these steps which the city has to follow," Pol Gen Aswin said.
Pinyo Sawatsit, an adviser to the owner of the Aetas Hotel, said the notice board has raised doubts among residents of the buildings and this has badly affected the hotel's business.
But the owners have no choice but to pay the daily fine as they are determined to see the legal battle through, Mr Pinyo said.
He said the hotel's legal team has found new evidence and will present it in court.
The Supreme Administrative Court issued its ruling based on evidence the construction of the two buildings at the Aetas hotel, including the 25-storey hotel, violated the city's construction ordinance because the road outside was too narrow to accommodate their sizes.
The construction ordinance requires the size and height of buildings to correspond with the width of the road outside.
However, Mr Pinyo insisted Wednesday the construction complied with safety standards and the project had received a permit from Pathumwan district office before construction went ahead.
Mr Pinya said even though the demolition sign affects the business, the hotel will obey the law by paying the daily fine and will follow the legal process to settle the dispute.