Cabinet gives quick green light to Bangkok observatory tower

BANGKOK, June 28 – The cabinet on Tuesday approved the selection of a contractor to build a Bangkok observatory tower without a bidding contest while the prime minister emphasized transparency. Col Athisit Chaiyanuwat, assistant government spokesman, said the cabinet endorsed the 7.6-billion-baht project set at a state land plot in Khlong San district and viewed that a bidding contest would otherwise delay the construction and the big and social project might not interest any contender. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered relevant officials to ensure transparency in the project implementation, he said. The assistant government spokesman also said that the implementation would comply with late King Bhumibol’s work principles and the tower would be a new tourist attraction and landmark of Thailand. Besides, its construction would be environmentally friendly and be based on new technologies, and students would be allowed to observe the construction process for the sake of public education. (TNA)