The planned building, the first of its kind under the current military-led regime and its second structure after the installation of a giant flagpole, is now under construction.

The idea to construct the building came from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Pranee Sripaset Sripasert, deputy secretary-general to the PM for administrative affairs, told The Nation.

“The landmark Thai Khu Fah, as well as the Santi Maitree building, have been used so much that they never get to rest for a day,” Pranee said. “So PM Prayut thought that a new building would come in [handy] to help welcome his official guests and to host events.”

To be located on an open grass field behind Thai Khu Fah, the yet-to-be-named building will consist of a lounge with capacity for 150 to 200 people. The lounge can also be divided into several compartments.

Its architectural style, Pranee added, would be in harmony with those of the principal Thai Khu Fah and Santi Maitree buildings, which adopted neo-Venetian Gothic architecture combined with Byzantine art.

And as Prayut favours dignified beauty, the Army’s post engineering department is tasked with taking care of the construction project, the deputy secretary-general said.

Government House is a historical site registered with the Fine Arts Department, so the architectural team requested its approval, which was granted.

The Fine Arts officials have examined the project to ensure the structure will not corrupt the historically rich Thai Khu Fah.

Pranee explained that the Army department had been assigned to construct the building because it could contribute decent architects to the project.

To complete its artistic sophistication, the Fine Arts Department will also take care of new decoration on both of command buildings in next month, she said.

The project will allow the other buildings to function as usual, she added, as they house a number of Cabinet-related offices.

While the exact budget for the project and its source are yet to be revealed, she said the money was spared from that of the previous governments.

The project’s details and plans, once completed, will be put on display on the construction site, possibly by next week.

Although the project stemmed from Prayut‘s idea, Pranee denied it was simply a pet project of the general-turned-prime minister.

“This is being done for a long-term purpose, indeed. He wishes that the new building will have historical value like its forebears in the compound,” she said. “He said that any succeeding prime ministers should be served with sophisticated buildings, suiting their magnificent positions.

“To me, he is very detail-oriented,” Pranee said.