Public and Private Sector Procurement Through Bidding
Lessons from the Crane Collapse and Rama II Road Bridge Collapse, and a New Transparent Alternative
The crane collapse onto a railway and the bridge collapse on Rama II Road have become a critical turning point that has compelled Thai society to seriously reassess the procurement and bidding systems used by both the public and private sectors. These incidents do not merely reflect operational failures at construction sites; rather, they reveal systemic weaknesses throughout the entire process — from contractor selection and price-based competition to quality control and safety supervision across the full project lifecycle.
The key question, therefore, is not simply “Who is at fault?”
but rather how Thailand’s procurement system should evolve to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Procurement Through Bidding: The Starting Point of Risk
In many past projects, procurement decisions have continued to rely primarily on the lowest price criterion, prioritizing cost over technical capability, professional experience, and contractor safety standards. The result has been the gradual accumulation of risk, eventually manifesting as serious accidents that impact public safety, the economy, and national confidence.
The case of Rama II Road is therefore not an isolated incident, but a clear warning sign that traditional bidding systems must be fundamentally upgraded.
A New Procurement Alternative: Real-Time Bidding System
Within the context of procurement reform, the Real-Time Bidding System has gained increasing recognition as a tool that enhances transparency and reduces structural risk.
This system allows qualified bidders to submit bids simultaneously, within the same time window, under clearly defined rules. Every price movement is recorded as digital evidence, fully auditable after the fact, leaving no room for backdoor negotiations or inappropriate intervention.
The core principle of this system is:
Start on time, compete simultaneously, and know the results immediately.
Advantages of the Real-Time Bidding System
Enhances transparency in both public and private sector procurement
Reduces governance risks and corruption exposure
Filters contractors based on genuine readiness, not merely the lowest price
Establishes fair competition standards under equal conditions for all bidders
Strengthens public confidence, particularly in large-scale infrastructure projects
Key Considerations for Implementation
While real-time bidding systems are highly effective, successful adoption requires:
Careful definition of bidder qualifications
Continuous post-award monitoring
Organizational and personnel readiness for digital transformation
From Lessons to Systemic Change
Crane and bridge collapse incidents should serve as lessons for elevating Thailand’s procurement system, rather than as temporary issues resolved through short-term fixes. Selecting procurement systems that are transparent, auditable, and competitively fair is a crucial step toward reducing risk, improving project quality, and safeguarding lives in the long term.
An Option for Organizations Seeking Genuine Transparency
For public and private sector organizations seeking a real-time bidding system that is practical, standardized, and fully auditable,
Property Auction House provides professional consultation, system design, and bidding execution tailored to the specific nature of each project.
Because effective procurement
is not measured by the lowest price,
but by transparency, safety,
and long-term responsibility to society.
For real-time bidding system solutions,
contact Property Auction House for in-depth consultation today.
