PP draws bead on abandoned '100-year Stadium' project

People's Party (PP) MP for Bangkok Rukchanok Srinork has renewed scrutiny over the long-delayed Narathiwat Provincial Sports Stadium, which has stood unfinished for 13 years and earned the local nickname the “100-Year Stadium” — a jab suggesting it may never be completed.

- ANUCHA CHAROENPO

In a Facebook post yesterday, Ms Rukchanok alleged serious irregularities surrounding the 181-million-baht project, launched in 2012 by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) as part of the Southern Border Provinces Sports Development Programme.

The Department of Highways (DoH) was assigned to oversee construction, despite its primary expertise being roadworks rather than sports facilities.

The project began under then-transport minister Charupong Ruangsuwan of the Pheu Thai Party and then-tourism and sports minister Chumpol Silpa-archa of the Chartthaipattana Party. It was one of seven provincial stadiums approved under a combined budget of more than 1.9 billion baht.