CHON BURI - Authorities have begun the demolition of a 13-storey hotel building in Pattaya after it was found to have illegally added more floors.
On Tuesday, a contractor hired by the Pattaya municipality deployed backhoes, cranes and workers to start demolishing the 13-storey building Boutique Hotel, located in South Pattaya area in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district. Police, soldiers and municipal officials were sent to oversee the demolition.
Jamorn Khajornjerm, Pattaya municipality’s chief engineer, said the municipality is paying the contractor, Tyranno Co, 2.9 million baht to demolish the 13-storey hotel building. Heavy machinery would be used to demolish the entire building within a six-month time frame, he said
The Pattaya municipality had earlier issued an order that Boutique Hotel, operated by Jomtien Holiday Co, demolish its two buildings after the hotel was found to have illegally added more floors.
One building, which initially had five floors, was modified to have seven floors, while the other building was raised from seven to 13 floors. The two buildings were ordered closed.
The municipality has hired Tyranno Co to demolish the 13-storey building, while the hotel operator itself carried out the demolition of the two additional floors in the seven-storey building -- and then sought permission from Pattaya authorities to make further modifications. The request was being considered by the authorities.