Watthana district councilor demands progress on the Phra Khanong fire station construction after four years of delay. The Bangkok Deputy Governor states daily fines will be imposed and sets a deadline for the contractor to complete elevator installation by December. Failure to meet this will result in immediate contract cancellation.
On 4 Nov 2026, during the fourth ordinary session of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council at the Irrawat Phatthana meeting room, Bangkok City Hall 2, Din Daeng, Ms. Pattaraporn Kengrungreungchai, Chairperson of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, presided over the meeting. Ms. Phakyada Amnuaydejkorn, Watthana district council member, raised a live question regarding progress on the Phra Khanong fire and rescue station construction project.
The Watthana district councilor stated that the 149 million baht contract for the construction of the Phra Khanong fire and rescue station, signed in 2022, has been amended three times but still lacks a clear completion date.
She emphasized, “Fire and rescue work measures time in seconds for assistance, yet the people of Watthana have been waiting for years.” She pointed out confusing discrepancies in progress reports from various agencies (contractor reports 83%, Department of Public Works 74.3%, BMA website 63.8%) and expressed concern about the financial burden and welfare of firefighters using the temporary station at On Nut Soi 39, shared with the Health Department for over five years.
She raised three points for questioning.
1. What progress does the BMA officially recognize? Have daily fines been imposed or actions taken according to Letter W83 from the Comptroller General’s Department?
2. What concrete measures does the BMA have to assist firefighters with housing and welfare while waiting for the new station?
3. When will the contract be finalized? If canceled or continued, what guarantees exist? Also, when will the equipment that was cut be restored for operational readiness?
Bangkok Deputy Governor Wisanu Sapsomporn explained the project has faced significant delays with actual disbursement progress at 58.5%. The 74% figure likely reflects accumulated work not yet billed, and the 83% cited by the contractor probably represents the value of work on-site but not yet handed over, so it’s not counted as progress. Regarding fines, the BMA is currently imposing daily penalties of 148,940 baht on the contractor.
The BMA is pursuing two parallel approaches: considering contract termination and giving the contractor a chance to expedite work under a new plan set to complete by January 2028. Structural work is largely finished. A firm deadline is set for elevator installation by December; failure to meet this will lead to contract cancellation and immediate search for a new contractor. Regarding the removed equipment, inspections will be accelerated to ensure the station is fully operational.
Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, explained that relocating the temporary station to On Nut 39 aims to maximize future use of the new station building. Accommodations at the temporary site have been prepared, and overtime meal allowances of 200 baht per shift have been added for staff. Firefighting motorcycles and a volunteer network have been organized to guarantee emergency access within the critical "8-minute life-saving" response time.
Ms. Phakyada Amnuaydejkorn (Watthana district councilor) stressed the need for a clear BMA plan to ensure full operational readiness for staff—not just building completion without equipment—to maximize the safety of Watthana residents and neighboring communities' lives and property.