Latest Progress : Go the link at bottom of this page.
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Two developments. The first and smaller (by Northcroft Project and Construction Management) behind the green fence. The second covers all the area in front of the green fence. Buildings are being meticulously deconstructed.
Notice the portakabins in the back. They were conveniently deposited in the middle of the night.
Date : 9 Januari 2007
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We have been living for many years in one of the sois off Sukhumvit Road. Remarkably while only a few hundred meters from the main road, our little corner was relatively quiet and we kind of expected it would stay like that forever. However, as the Buddha said, change is inevitable.
The houses and land in front of our condo were owned by relatives of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Shinawatra silk shop, much in need of remodeling, is also located there.
Now, this family has decided to give up its compound, and two developers have stepped in to build condominiums on the land.
A smaller plot (see first picture, behind the green fence) is being developed by Northcroft Project and Construction Management. Piling was completed in November and December 2006, and it was what did let us take notice. A few times we ware awakened in the early morning because of the noise. Maybe this is a harbinger of things to come, but we would settle for any early morning noise, as long as no substantial work is carried out at night.
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Workers on the roof. Wooden and metal supporting structures seem to have good resale value.
Date : 9 Januari 2007 |
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Interestingly (and we doubt that this is done in a similar way in U.S.A. or Europe) the buildings on the plot have been dismantled and stripped of any valuable construction material. There obviously is a good resale market, and one has to remember that wages are very low in Thailand. So it is possible to keep people on the roof (so to speak) and make use of their cheap labor.
Large construction work like what is undertaken now in front of our condominium, poses some interesting questions. Who benefits from it? Of course, the construction company, the owners of the project, the people who are possibly going to live there comfortably. The neighbours are the obvious victims.
For two or three years we will have to cope with the racket of the construction work being performed. Even after the construction is completed, we will have a much less quieter neighbourhood. Imagine, all the cars of the condominium owners that will go back and forth.
Just the present demolition leaves us with some questions. How much harmful chemicals (asbestos?) are dispersed in the surrounding atmosphere? Of course, the Thai demolition team does not wear any protection (or hard hats for that matter), but that does not count as a reassurance of safety.
But we also see some benefits. The family who previously lived on the plot of land, had a large collection of dogs. Usually in the morning, the dogs were let loose, and you know what dogs like do to once outside the home. The footpaths closeby were not always offering a pleasant walk.
Secondly, a large building in front of us (it will not be too close) will block out the sun in the mid-afternoon. This will make for a somewhat cooler environment in our condominium.
To be continued. We hope to provide new pictures of the progress of development every month or so.
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One week later and the dismantling has much progressed, and the villa (just a few years old) in the right lower corner is almost gone.
Date : 16 Januari 2007
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Update 20 May 2007 :
Building A (see map with glossary) has progressed over the last few months. It looks like the ground floor of the building is in place. Construction is in full swing (daily work, mostly from around 8 A.M. till sunset). The building to be erected is called Admiral Suites II. Admiral Suites at present offers Executive Serviced Apartment on the other side of Sukhumvit Road (soi 22). We must assume that this new development is operated by the same people.
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Building A is at ground floor level. Slowly but surely progressing. |
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Building B is off to a very slow start. While the site has been cleared since before New Year 2007, only recently some work is started to be done at the location. Maybe there is no need to hurry, the real estate market is probably about to enter into some kind of recession?
In any case, now the material seems to be in place to start working on the foundation of the building. A sales office is also in place at the site, and is occupied by some office girls (or Bangkok pretties - with brains in this case). They seem to spend most of the day looking at their computer screens while talking with their mobile phones. Sign of the times, inefficiency at work, but somebody will have to be there to receive prospective customers.
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The material seems to be in place to start the foundations of building B.
Date : 20 May 2007 |
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Latest Progress (updated 04 November 2007) : Admiral Suites | Wind Sukhumvit 23
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