Urgent inspections of old buildings throughout Bangkok are underway, with plans to amend building modification laws. "Chatchat" is working to improve community safety, noting that such proposals were previously submitted to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council but expired before enactment. He also invites Bangkok residents to vote on 28 June.
21 June 2026 GMT+7 Chatchat Sittipunt, candidate for Governor of Bangkok, commented on the collapse of an old building near Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan on Rama IV Road in Samphanthawong district yesterday (20 June 2026), stating that the building was about 100 years old. The collapsed section was the awning, a known weak point in such structures. A similar incident had occurred previously near Pratu Phi area.
As an initial response, the district office must urgently survey high-risk old buildings, especially in historic areas such as Yaowarat, Samphanthawong, and Phra Nakhon. He emphasized that government officials alone are insufficient and that cooperation from building owners is also necessary.
“There are over 400,000 shophouses, and I believe tens of thousands, possibly close to a hundred thousand, are old. Both sides need to cooperate. Owners should help inspect their buildings, and if there is concern, they should notify the district office. This cooperation should improve the situation.”
Meanwhile, Chatchat pointed to structural issues causing many commercial buildings and shophouses in Bangkok to be abandoned and deteriorate. He said current laws and ordinances hinder renovations because owners must meet several conditions, such as providing new parking spaces or fire escapes. This leads many to forgo improvements, allowing buildings to decay. Therefore, revising these ordinances related to shophouse modifications is necessary to enable effective restoration of old buildings and urban areas.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had previously proposed such ordinances to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, but the process was not completed before the council's term ended. He affirmed that if entrusted by the public, he will push this issue forward. He noted that inner Bangkok still has many old and abandoned buildings, such as along Sukhumvit and Phetchaburi roads, which, despite being in prime locations near transit systems, are limited by existing building control laws, including setback rules, parking requirements, and physical standards that no longer match the actual conditions. Additionally, stricter safety standards like fire protection systems and public space restitution add to the constraints.
“We submitted this to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council last year, but it was too late because the council's term ended. If we can amend these ordinances, old shophouses will gain new economic opportunities, be structurally reinforced, and potentially be reused as residences or shops again, significantly increasing Bangkok’s economic spaces.”
In the final stretch of the election campaign, Chatchat urged Bangkok residents to vote on Sunday, 28 June 2026, from 08:00 to 17:00, encouraging maximum participation. He also said, “Allow extra time in case of rain—go vote early, then you can do whatever you want afterward. Because you never know how heavy the rain will be. Don’t forget to check your polling station carefully. Go out and vote in large numbers. Choose people you trust, who you believe will lead Bangkok in a good direction, both the governor and councilors. It’s an expression of power in democracy.”