Big-scale projects being delayed is very much a Thai tradition. But rarely are these issues aired publicly around the world. Now, though, the country has been shamed by none other than the international soccer body FIFA.

 

When Thailand won the bid to host the 2012 World five-a-side Futsal Competition, it promised FIFA that a new 12,000 seat indoor arena would be built to accommodate the event. Thanks to delays, floods, government shilly-shallying and, no doubt, endless greasing of palms, the arena was not ready for the opening ceremony last week-end. Bangkok’s governor then promised it would definitely be open in time for all the matches from the quarter-finals onwards on November 14, 16 and 18.

 

Wishful thinking on his part. As was announced today, despite the city being given extra time for the completion, FIFA has declared that the stadium is still not ready and will not be ready. It has expressed concern that the safety of teams, officials and spectators will not be up to the requirements specified in the bid.

 

Bangkok’s governor disagrees, saying he has fulfilled his responsibilities to complete the stadium. In his view, FIFA made the decision only because the city had not finished the VIP boxes to accommodate all of 300 people! No doubt the blame game will go on for some time. But it doesn’t alter the fact that Bt. 1.2 billion has been blown on an arena in the outskirts of the city that was not in fact necessary given the city’s existing facilities.

 

And this is a country which is bidding for the right to host the 2020 World Expo!

 

http://www.bangkokpo...on-futsal-arena

Compared against the corrupt way that FIFA award world cups tournaments to countries, the Thai incompetence here is pretty insignificant.