A group of residents opposing the Aetas Hotel project accused the City Hall of footdragging over demolishing the hotel's high floors as ordered by the Supreme Administrative Court.
The group, represented by Chaloempong Klabdee, a lawyer from the Foundation for Consumers, yesterday held a press conference, urging the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to take action against the Soi Ruamrudee project.
He said there has been no progress from the BMA after the court ruled in favour of the residents more than two months ago.
The court ruled on Dec 2 that the residential project broke regulations under the Building Control Act 1979, which states that a building higher than eight storeys cannot be built on a road that is less than 10m wide.
After the court ruling, Mr Chaloempong said the BMA ordered the project owners to suspend all the building modifications; to modify the building in accordance with the Building Control Act 1979; and to prohibit people from entering the building, he said.
But Mr Chaloempong said if the second order was issued to favour the project owners, it could allow them to prolong the case for several years as they could appeal to the court for the modifications.
The lawyer also said the group heard the Pathumwan district office would measure Soi Ruamrudee again, to make sure its width is less than 10m.
Sitthichai Thuamsakon, Pathumwan district office director, denied the plan to measure the road again, saying officials followed the court order and sent out three orders to the project owners on Jan 29.
The director also said the project owners have the right to appeal to the court, according to Section 52 under the building act.
Mr Chaloempong said City Hall was likely to be sued by the project developer for previously approving the 24-storey project to be built on a road narrower than 10m.