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Korat Canal Project Under Audit: 200M Baht Idle for 2 Years

Korat Canal Project Under Audit: 200M Baht Idle for 2 Years

Khaosod•Society•18d ago

Reader Briefing

An audit initiated by the Office of the Auditor General is investigating a nearly two-year delay and lack of maintenance on Korat's "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" canal improvement project, which has a budget of over 200 million baht.

  • •The Office of the Auditor General is inspecting the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" canal improvement project in Nakhon Ratchasima, which has been neglected for nearly two years.
  • •Phase 1 of the project, costing 118 million baht, was completed in late 2025 but has lacked maintenance due to delays in starting Phase 2 and the municipality's pending handover.
  • •The project, a 238 million baht initiative inspired by Korea's Chon-gye-chon, aims to upgrade the Lam Ta Khong canal into a recreational and tourist landmark.
  • •Delays are attributed to flooding, the COVID-19 pandemic, and budget limitations, with flood prevention for Maharaj Hospital prioritized.

Overview

  • •Following a period of being left unattended for nearly 2 years, on May 7, 2026, the Audit Office initiated an on-site inspection of the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" canal project.
  • •The total budget for the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project is 238 million baht.
  • •Phase 1 of the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project had a budget of 118 million baht for a 725-meter section.
  • •Phase 1 of the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project was completed in late 2025 but is currently in a neglected state due to ongoing contractor procurement for Phase 2.
  • •The delay in the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project is due to flooding issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • •The "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project is based on the Korean "Chon-Gye-Cheon" model, adapted to "pottery city" identity to create a new landmark in Korat.
  • •The Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality plans to address community wastewater management along the 13-kilometer stretch of the Lam Ta Khong canal, requesting a budget of approximately 700 million baht, with operations expected to commence in 2027-2028.
  • •Phase 2 of the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" project, which includes flood control, embankment construction, and public park development, is expected to award a contract soon and commence construction in the 2026 fiscal year.

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Key Quotes

Phairat Songyen
"The committee accepted the work but could not proceed immediately and continuously with Phase 2, being in the process of finding contractors, leading to Phase 1 having no agency responsible for maintenance and cleaning as the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality has not yet taken over the mission until 100% construction is completed."
คณะกรรมการได้ตรวจรับงานแต่ไม่สามารถดำเนินการระยะที่ 2 ได้ทันทีและต่อเนื่อง อยู่ระหว่างจัดหาผู้รับจ้าง ทำให้ระยะที่ 1 ไม่มีหน่วยงานรับผิดชอบดูแลรักษาทำความสะอาด เนื่องจาก ทน.นครราชสีมา ยังไม่รับโอนถ่ายภารกิจจนกว่าจนกว่าจะก่อสร้างเสร็จ 100 %
Phairat Songyen
"The delay was caused by flooding and the COVID-19 crisis, requiring prioritization of limited budget allocation, with Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital being prioritized for effective flood prevention first."
ความล่าช้าเกิดจากปัญหาน้ำท่วมและวิกฤตโควิด-19 ซึ่งต้องให้ความสำคัญกับการจัดสรรงบประมาณที่มีจำกัด โดยให้โรงพยาบาลมหาราช นครราชสีมา ป้องกันน้ำท่วมได้มีประสิทธิภาพก่อน
Noph. Wannarat Chanukoon
"Upon completion of the project, Korat residents will have a new landmark that serves as both a tourist attraction and a place for relaxation."
หากโครงการแล้วเสร็จ ชาวโคราชจะมีแลนมาร์คแห่งใหม่ ที่เป็นทั้งแหล่งท่องเที่ยวและสถานที่พักผ่อนหย่อนใจ
Audit Office Governor
"All agencies must cooperate between government sectors and local authorities to ensure sustainability. How to generate interest for commerce? The municipality must plan for future management."
ทุกหน่วยงานต้องร่วมมือกันระหว่างส่วนราชการกับท้องถิ่น ทำยังไงให้เกิดความยั่งยืน ถ้าจะขายของทำยังไงมีคนสนใจไหม เทศบาลต้องวางแผนบริหารจัดการต่อไป

Key Entities

Organization

Office of the Auditor General (OAG)(สตง.)ℹ️
The organization conducting the audit of the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" canal project.
Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality(เทศมนตรีนคร (ทน.) นครราชสีมา)
The local government body responsible for the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project and future management.
Assumption College Nakhon Ratchasima(โรงเรียนอัสสัมชัญนครราชสีมา)
A landmark used to define the scope of Phase 1 of the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project.
Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital(โรงพยาบาลมหาราช นครราชสีมา)
A hospital whose flood prevention efforts were prioritized over the immediate continuation of the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project due to budget limitations.

Place

Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat Canal(คลองชองเกชอนโคราช)
The name of the canal improvement project in Nakhon Ratchasima being investigated.
Lam Ta Khong(ลำตะคอง)
The natural river where the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' canal improvement project is located.
Wat Susaan(วัดสุสาน)
A temple adjacent to the Lam Ta Khong river, used as a reference point for Phase 1 of the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project.
Wat Suk Santi Ram(วัดสุขสันติราม)
A temple where the natural canal of the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project flows past.
Atsadangk Reservoir(อ่างเก็บน้ำอัษฎางค์)
A reservoir associated with Phase 2 of the 'Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat' project, mentioning walkway construction.
Chon-Gye-Cheon Canal(คลองชองเกชอน)ℹ️
The original Korean model that inspired the "Chon-Gye-Cheon Korat" canal project in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Person

Mr. Montien Jaroenphon(นายมณเฑียร เจริญผล)
Governor of the Office of the Auditor General, who participated in the inspection of the canal project.
Dr. Wannarat Channukul(นพ.วรรณรัตน์ ชาญนุกูล)
Mayor of Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, who joined the inspection and commented on the project's completion benefits.
Mr. Phairat Songyen(นายไพรัตน์ ทรงเย็น)
Director of Public Works and Town & Country Planning of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, serving as the project owner and providing explanations.