09/04/2026
BREAKING: Treasury Office urges CMU to temporarily halt demolition of ‘Ang Kaew Dormitory–Fai Hin Flats,’ says approval required if buildings are state property
CHIANG MAI, 4 September 2026 — The Chiang Mai Provincial Treasury Office has formally asked Chiang Mai University (CMU) to consider temporarily suspending the demolition of the 'Ang Kaew Women’s Dormitory' and 'Fai Hin Flats' while authorities verify the legal status and background of the two buildings.
In a letter dated 4 September 2026 and addressed to the President of Chiang Mai University, the Provincial Treasury Office requested that demolition work on both buildings be put on hold “until there is clarity” in order to prevent possible damage to state property while the facts are being examined.
The letter said the office had received a submission from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage, which appealed against and objected to the disposal and demolition of the Ang Kaew Women’s Dormitory and Fai Hin Flats.
The association argued that both buildings possess historical and architectural value and constitute important evidence of the development of modern architecture in the region.
According to the Provincial Treasury Office, both buildings were constructed before 1977 and therefore “are state property buildings.” However, its review of the state property register has not yet found sufficiently clear details concerning the two structures.
The Office also cited the Chiang Mai University Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the Ministerial Regulation on the Use of State Property B.E. 2563 (2020), stating that Chiang Mai University is an autonomous state agency rather than a government department and therefore does not have the authority to independently approve the demolition of state property buildings under the regulation.
“Therefore, if Chiang Mai University wishes to proceed with the demolition of state property buildings, it must first obtain permission from the Treasury Department,” the letter stated.
The Treasury Office further cited Clause 12 of the 2020 ministerial regulation, which provides that where the demolition or alteration of a state-owned building may affect historical, artistic or architectural values considered worthy of preservation, prior consent must be obtained from either the Treasury Department or the relevant Provincial Treasury Office, as applicable.
In the cases of Ang Kaew Dormitory and Fai Hin Flats, the Chiang Mai Provincial Treasury Office asked CMU to undertake several checks before proceeding.
These include determining whether the two buildings qualify as state property and whether they have been formally registered as such, as well as examining their history, architectural design, landscape architecture, age and heritage value in order to assess whether the buildings should be preserved.
The final point of the letter states: “In order to prevent any damage while the facts are being examined, please consider temporarily suspending the demolition of the two buildings until there is clarity.”
The intervention comes amid mounting opposition to the planned demolition from across the Chiang Mai University community, including alumni, current students, academics, staff members and professional organisations.
Opponents have called on the university to reconsider the project and conduct a proper assessment of the buildings’ historical and architectural significance before any demolition takes place.
