Thailand’s Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob, has assured the public that the investigation into the cost of the change of the name plate of Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station and the design of a new logo for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will be transparent.
He said today (Thursday) that the investigating committee is comprised of representatives from the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Architect Council of Thailand, the Council of Engineers of Thailand and the Comptroller Department.
Uniq Engineering and Construction (Uniq) was awarded the 33 million baht contract by the SRT to change the name plate, from Bang Sue Grand Station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, and to design a new logo for the SRT. Uniq was also the builder of the station.
Saksayam said that, since Uniq was contracted to build the station, it makes sense that they should undertake the change of name plate.
The new name was presented by His Majesty the King in September and means “Bangkok’s prosperity”.
The opposition Move Forward Party questioned Saksayam in the House today about the cost of the change, which it described as too expensive and a waste of money for a state enterprise like SRT, which is saddled with a mountain of debt.
The party also asked why the SRT didn’t install the new name at the station to start with.
