About 1,000 households in three communities in Bangkok have lodged complaints with the Thailand Consumer’s Council, claiming that their livelihoods are being threatened by the construction of three high-rise condominium projects, which may also be against the law.

Officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the council are scheduled to inspect the three construction sites, of the S-Pradipat (Pradipat Soi 23), S-Ratchada (Ratchada Soi 44) and The Move (Phahonyothin Soi 37) condominium projects, as part of fact-finding investigation.

One of the complainants, “Thiewwat”, said today (Monday) that representatives of the community in Pradipat Soi 23 had lodged a complaint with the Phaya Thai district office, claiming that the community has been negatively affected by the project.

He said that the lane leading to the project site is narrow and less than the minimum 6-metres wide required by the building control law adding, however, that their complaint has not been heeded by the district office.

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the council, said that several cities, including Bangkok, are facing similar problems with urban development, such as the construction of high-rise buildings, which is affecting the quality of life and livelihoods of people in the surrounding communities.

She said that findings from the council’s real estate panel show that lax law enforcement and abuse of authority by officials has allowed high-rise building projects to be implemented, regardless of their negative impacts on communities in their vicinity, citing The Aetas Hotel on Soi Ruamrudee and the Ashton Asoke condominium project.