Sports stadium left to rot
People in Krabi have complained about how a newly-built, 12-million-baht football stadium was left in a derelict condition, with the pitch overgrown by tall grass and cracks found in some structures.
Facebook user Nattiwat Ragsakit who listed his profession as being a member of the Krabi Provincial Administration published pictures of the run-down stadium last Sunday.
“This is a district football stadium built with a budget of about 12 million baht from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. It comes complete with a multi-purpose gym and a sports field,” Mr Nattiwat wrote.
Work started on the stadium last year. It was handed over to local authorities in Koh Lanta district three months ago.
The structure has been left unused and has started to show signs of decay. Villagers in tambon Koh Klang, where the stadium is located, have filed a petition asking authorities to fix it so it can be used, according to Mr Nattiwat’s post.
A reporter from www.sanamkhao.com went to look at the stadium after the post was widely shared.
The running track was covered with mud and soil. The stand itself has turned into a garbage dump apparently with no-one to look after it.
Vichai Ragsakit, headman of Khlong Ya Nad village, said the stadium was built as part of the government’s tambon-level sport stadiums project.
Mr Vichai said villagers also have complained about the state of the stadium, including cracks in the concrete pavement.
Mr Vichai said he has sent petition letters to the tambon administrative council and district chief asking them to summon the contractor which built the stadium to fix the flaws but has not received any answer.
According to the report, there are two years left on the stadium’s insurance coverage. If left in this condition, the money would have gone to waste and locals will have missed out on the stadium as well, Mr Vichai said.