Forty "Ban Mankhong" housing units for low-income earners in Bangkok's Sai Mai district have been declared off-limits because of poor construction standards.
The district office, however, has played down the issue, saying city inspectors only detected some minor flaws that could be corrected without having to demolish the structures.
According to Isra News, Sai Mai district office issued an order on Dec 15 last year to ban the use of 40 houses located close to Klong Lat Phrao after an inspection showed the structures were below standard.
The Ban Mankhong Collective Housing Programme was launched in 2003 by the Thaksin government to try to provide low-cost housing for the poorest Bangkok residents.
A notice prohibiting the use of the units was posted outside the properties on Dec 28, triggering concerns among tenants who were eager to move in.
Those who violate the order face a six-month jail term and a fine of 100,000 baht, or both, plus a daily fine of 30,000 baht. The ban is in line with the amended Building Control Act, according to the notice.
The construction project was undertaken by a housing cooperative formed by eight communities with cooperation from the Community Organisations Development Institute (Codi).
Codi, established by the Chuan Leekpai administration, has helped thousands of slum residents secure housing security through savings funds and community housing projects.
Adul Jongkohklang, a tenant, was concerned about the notice, saying he has been forced to rent a house during the ban, which means extra costs to bear, and he has no idea how long it will last.
District office director, Rattanathon Rattanasakul, tried to allay concerns saying her office is waiting for the construction blueprint from Codi and will make a fresh inspection.
She said the ban notice will be removed if the inspection shows the units are in line with the blueprint.
"There is nothing serious. District inspectors have found some minor flaws such as the position of fences," she said.