Monitoring the baan euarthorn problem solving efforts of the national housing authority during 2003-2009: a case study of baan euarthorn mitmithree (nongchok)
Abstract:
The government of Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra directed to the National Housing Authority (NHA) to build the low income Baan Euarthorn Housing Project comprising of 601,727 units across the nation within a 5 year period (2003-2007) using mass production and low price strategies. The timeline of the project was so short however that it incurred a number of problems. The NHA attempted to resolve these issues but was unable to rectify all of them. Therefore, examining the efforts of the NHA during the construction period (2003-2009) is important to determine whether the problems have been properly addressed. This study focuses on examining the Baan Euarthorn problem solving efforts of the National Housing Authority, studying the results of these efforts, analyzing any additional problems that arise and making recommendations for further action. The data was collected from documents relating to the project and the problem solving steps taken using the Baan Euarthorn Mitmithree (Nongchok) Housing Project as a case study as it was affected the most by the problem solving efforts. Analysis of estimated cash flows into the housing project, and interviews with relevant NHA management and operation personnel were conducted.
The studies found that, to meet the set objectives and deadline, the NHA bought the buildings as a turnkey project constructed by the private sector on the condition that the pre-sale reservations had to be made with twice as many reservations as the number of the units to be constructed and approved by the NHA. Due to the urgency of the projects, the pre-sale reservation process was not properly monitored and neither were the qualifications of applicants properly checked. Moreover, the construction of the project was delayed resulting in the fewer buyers of the units than earlier approved. The project was located in an area where there were many other housing projects; and in some areas, the Baan Euarthorn projects could not attract buyers as their design did not meet customers expectations. In addition, a large amount of those who wanted to buy a housing unit did not qualify for a bank loan. A lot of units therefore went unsold, which seriously impacted the NHAs financial status, image and reliability.
The NHA took steps to resolve the problem by reducing the number of units to be built, having unsold units hired-purchased directly from the NHA, setting an appropriate price to suit the location and potential of each project, and asking for financial assistance from the government to pay the interest due resulting from bank loans.
The research found that the NHAs problem solving steps in relation to Baan Euarthorn Mitmithree (Nongchok), Bangkok resulted in the following: (1) the reduction of units constructed for the housing project in line with the needs of customers caused the NHA to pay interest of 13,639,011 Baht before the reduction or sinking fund for two years (from 2009 to present), and (2) the increase of the unit price from 390,000 Baht to 410,000 Baht was not enough for the NHA to cover the loan for this project. To enable the NHA to pay back the debt, the unit price should have been increased to 510,000 Baht; however, this would have affected the unit sales of the project. Compensation from the government for the interest incurred helped the NHA resolve the finance problem as they did not to have to pay the interest on their own. The NHA currently has plans to apply the same measures for all its projects while the study found that each project requires a different solution. It should find solution to a comprehensive continuing. Therefore, it is recommended that the NHA adjust their plans to have the best solution for each individual project.