Architect Condemns Planned Renovation of Thai Parliament as “Destructive”
BANGKOK, May 8, 2025 — Renowned architect and National Artist Chatree Ladalalitsakul has publicly condemned proposed renovations to Thailand’s Parliament complex, calling the plans “destructive” and warning that the changes could cause irreversible damage to one of the nation’s most significant modern architectural works.
Breaking a decade-long silence, Chatree—chief designer of the riverside structure—submitted a formal protest to the Senate’s subcommittee on creative arts. He criticized planned alterations such as converting the iconic Emerald Pool into a library and commercial space, which he said would undermine both the artistic vision and structural safety of the building.
“The Parliament is one of the most important architectural works of the nation in the past century,” Chatree declared. “It is national heritage, not just a building you can modify at will.”
The original design, a collaborative effort involving four National Artists, includes innovative features such as an open-air atrium for natural temperature regulation and a retractable-roof Crystal Pavilion for ceremonial functions. Critics had labeled these elements impractical, citing concerns like heat and mosquito breeding, but Chatree dismissed those claims as misunderstandings or construction flaws still under warranty.
He warned that enclosing the atrium or introducing commercial usage could compromise the building’s earthquake resilience and impose significant air-conditioning costs.
“Any changes must go through the original team. This isn’t just architecture—it’s a symbol of Thai identity and civic dignity,” he added.
The Parliament complex, which was initially costed between 11 and 12 billion baht, is under renewed scrutiny as officials weigh renovation against preservation. Chatree’s rare public rebuke may influence how the state proceeds with modifying one of Thailand’s newest and most controversial public buildings.
