Officials have yet to decide how to deal with the seven-storey apartment building under construction in Pathum Thani that was left leaning and on the verge of collapse after a subsidence.
Workers unload metal extensions used to protect the area surrounding the tilting building from debris and dust. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)
Pranee Channarong, representing Phumarin (Khu Kot) property management, and around 30 residents of Phumarin estate, which immediately adjoins the toppling apartment building, met Friday with city officials including Narong Ausap, deputy mayor of Khu Khot, and Nares Srimuang, director of the civil division of Ku Kot municipality.
A representative said later it would be two or three days before any decision could be reached.
Mr Narong and Mr Nares both said if the building is to be demolished then the method must be discussed with the local government agencies before any formal announcement could be made.
Workers have set-up about 1,000 scaffolds with metal extensions around the leaning building, and are covering it with cloth to prevent debris and dust from falling in nearby housing estates.
Police and provincial officials have closed off the area. People who go to look or take photos cannot enter the site.
Many nearby residents have fled their homes, fearing the building will collapse. However, the structure has so far remained stable since April 1.
On the night of March 31, one of two apartment buildings being built behind Zeer Rangsit Mall in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani, subsided and tilted about 10 degrees, leaning towards its twin.
A site inspection showed the first floor of the building that sank was totally destroyed, and cracks were visible on other floors.
The building plan has about 10,000 square metres metres of usable area, with the construction cost estimated at 100 million baht. About 70% of the construction had been completed.
If the building must be demolished, the damages will total around 70 million baht. It is not year clear whether the building can be jacked up and stabilised, or whether it will have to be torn down.