ASA Journal 05/57

สุพจน โลหวัชรินทร
นายกสมาคมวิศวกรที่ปรึกษา
แหงประเทศไทย (วปท.)
WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE CONSULTING ENGI-
NEERS ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND IN GENERAL ?
SUPOTE LOHWACHARIN : Currently, the Consulting
Engineers Association of Thailand has over 90 companies
as our members. Mainly, our responsibility is to provide
consulting services ranging from project planning and
construction-related design to supervising construction.
We’ve worked with both the governmental and private
sectors in infrastructure construction, such as public
roads and bridges, while there are other projects where
we work collaboratively with architects. Our responsibilities
are different from those of the Engineering Institute
of Thailand, whose job is to oversee the overall academic
aspect of the profession, including engineering standards
and the body of knowledge. Our job involves the practical
use of that knowledge and, in addition to construction
planning, we also conduct economic and break-even
analysis as well.
HOW DID CEAT BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT ?
SL : The cooperation between the four associations
has always been continual, but this project is the first
tangible collaboration that has been widely recognized
by the general public. ASA oversees the design of the
building in general while the Engineering Institute of
Thailand helps with structural design. Our role in the
project involves the planning of the project’s construction
management, from the very beginning to the end.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT DIFFERENTIATE THIS
PROJECT FROM OTHERS ?
SL : The planning begins with surveying, estimating
the level of accessibility and determining how the
operation can proceed in the affected areas. Then
it was pretty much like most construction projects,
which begin from layout and foundation and then lead
to other processes until everything is completed. The
difference would be the issue of time. Since this is
an urgent project, time management is critical. If the
contractor, materials and budget were ready, everything
could begin as planned, and we would be able
to finish the project using the least amount of time
possible. We have already assigned sub-committees
to oversee all the nine schools.
WHAT IS THE TENDENCY FOR FUTURE COLLABO-
RATIONS BETWEEN ASSOCIATIONS ?
SL : We’ve been working together for a long time. I think,
in the future, if there are incidents that require our help
and expertise, we should all get into the field together
in order for the operation to be more efficient and collaborative.
The responsibilities could then be effectively
assigned and executed. The tsunami incident is an
example of dedication without effective collaboration.
The four associations now have a mutual agreement.
We are now sharing the same goal. The important thing
that needs to be done from now on is follow-up and
evaluation, finding out about obstacles and problems
in order to ensure that the process goes smoothly and
create the least amount of mistakes possible. In the
future, if something bigger comes up, we will then be
able to handle it better. These things have to be evaluated
collectively between the four associations. Cooperation
from the public sector and other involved agencies is
also important, as it will make the big picture in terms
of future collaborations more complete.
วารสารอาษา
THEME ASA 49