Cafeteria ceiling collapses at costly parliament complex

A section of ceiling collapsed in a basement cafeteria at the multi-billion-baht parliament complex on Sunday, breaking tables and toppling chairs but fortunately causing no injuries because it was not a working day.

The collapse occurred in a cafeteria on level B2 of the sprawling parliamentary complex, known as Sappaya-Sapasathan. 

The falling debris damaged several dining tables and chairs. No one was injured because the incident happened on a weekend when no-one was there. The cafeteria is normally a busy area frequented by parliamentary staff, civil servants, visitors, MPs and senators, raising concerns about what could have happened had the ceiling failed during regular working hours.

Engineers and building officials were sent to inspect the site and determine whether the collapse was caused by structural problems, moisture damage or deterioration of building materials. The affected area was expected to remain closed while repairs and broader safety inspections were carried out. Parliament resumes business on Monday.

The collapse is likely to renew scrutiny of the parliament complex, which fully opened in May 2021 after an eight-year construction period. The project, one of Thailand's most expensive public buildings, saw costs rise from 14 billion baht to about 22 billion baht following repeated, lengthy delays.

Despite being only five years old, the complex has been plagued by problems including water leaks and wastewater issues and malfunctioning meeting-room facilities. Last year, proposed renovations costed at one billion baht sparked criticism that the building had become a symbol of wasteful spending, with taxpayers being asked to fund further upgrades despite persistent defects.