Demolition sours Fine Arts, Supreme Court ties

The fight between the Fine Arts Department and the Supreme Court over the future of an old court building being demolished and replaced is far from over, with no sign of a break in the impasse.

An aerial photo shows the progress of demolition work at the old Supreme Court building in Sanam Luang area. (Photo by Sithikorn Wongwudthianun)

The department has been waiting for a call from the court since Christmas Eve, when the court signalled a meeting where both parties could sit at the same table and settle the problem.

The department has still not been informed any further about the proposed meeting, department director-general Sahawat Naenna said on Tuesday.

The row between the department and the court centres on the second old building of the Supreme Court complex at Sanam Luang, which is destined to be wiped out to clear space for a brand new structure.

The department has stepped in, wanting to block the demolition, saying it is a historical site even though it has not been registered.

The first and oldest building, for which building began in 1939 and was completed in 1943, is already registered as a national heritage and it is left untouched by the three-billion baht redevelopment plan.

The second, connected building – the centre of controversy — began building in 1941 and was finished in 1943.

Both were erected to remind the people of the principle of judicial independence.

Mr Sahawat said the second building is also under protection as a part of the national heritage and the department had already informed the court of this, even though it had not been registered.

The conflict escalated after the department lodged a complaint with the Chana Songkhram police station on Saturday, asking that the authorities prevent the contractor from flattening the building.

In reality 70% of that old building has already been demolished.

Asked why the agency did not identify the court in its complaint to the police, only the contractor, the official said the department was uncertain who was behind the demolition plan.

"The department has to act, otherwise it could face claims of negligence of duty," Mr Sahawat said.

Part of the ageing building at the Supreme Court at Sanam Luang is not demolished. (Photo by Thanarak Khoonton)

Office of the Judiciary spokesman Sitthisak Wanachakij argued that it had been cleared that the second building would be torn down in an agreement reached with the arts department on March 2, 2011 and that was reconfirmed when the court contacted the agency two months later.

"The courts of justice listen to the Fine Arts Department. What we are doing is in accordance with the agreement. As for the judiciary, we never do anything simpy at a whim," he said on Tuesday.

The court is also waiting to see documentation from the department on its decision to seek police help to save the second building, he added.

Despite no sign of a settlement, Mr Sitthisak hoped the issue will eventually be sorted out between the court and the department when the two camps eventually meet, the spokesman added.

The court has not met the department chief since he was promoted to this new position since Oct 1, he said.

The problem would not delay construction of the new building although some adjustments of the masterplan are required, he added.

But Mr Sahawat insisted on the preservation of the second building, which should be left untouched.

"The department has stated all along that both the first and second buildings are historical sites," the official said.

Before-and-after images show how the new Supreme Court complex would tower over its neighbours. Conservationists argue that it will lessen the aesthetic value of the Grand Palace next door.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/329826/building-sours-fine-arts-dept-supreme-court-ties