The Facebook page "Tong Cha" revealed a sports stadium built with a budget of more than 24 million baht, delivered nearly 10 years ago but never used.
On 3 Apr 2026 GMT+7, the issue resurfaced when the Facebook page "Tong Cha" posted about the Thap Sakae District sports stadium in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, constructed with a budget of 24,484,000 baht. The contract began on 30 Jan 2016 and ended on 20 Sep 2017, with the actual handover on 18 Jan 2018.
Nearly 10 years later, the stadium remains abandoned, the area deteriorated without electricity or water supply. No agency has utilized the facility, despite the project including all structures typical of a “large-scale sports stadium.”
The construction included the following facilities:
1. Two multipurpose sports courts
2. One multipurpose gymnasium
3. A football field with an 8-lane running track
4. Concrete stands for the district sports stadium
- There are many sports stadiums built and left unused like this. It's unclear who requested the budget (and those who know don't want to talk). Another budget drain is exercise equipment bought despite no users; some places even consolidated 3-4 sets in one spot. Next up might be solar power systems.
- It would be good if the law could retroactively penalize those involved.
- It's strange that private companies building constructions have no such problems; projects finish on time with excellent quality, like condos and shopping malls—beautiful, durable, earthquake resistant. Why is government work different? Maybe the government should adopt private sector standards.
Photo credit: Facebook page "Kid Tum Ting"