Problems causing delays in major construction projects in Thailand

TLDR

Delays are frequent in construction projects in developing countries, with local industry, socio‑economic, cultural, and project characteristics contributing to the problem. The study proposes fundamental reforms in procurement, value‑chain management, and stakeholder management to overcome construction delays in developing countries. The authors conducted questionnaire surveys and interviews on a major Thai construction project to identify the most significant delay‑causing problems. Designers, contractors, and consultants were rated as top problem sources, with issues such as resource shortages, poor contractor management, labor shortages, design delays, scheduling deficiencies, change orders, financial difficulties, and communication challenges highlighted, offering guidance for project managers.

Abstract

Delays are frequent and recurring in construction projects in developing countries. Although the principal reasons for construction delays are comparable across developing countries, several factors pertaining to local industry, socio‐economic and cultural issues and project characteristics also contribute to construction delays. Questionnaire surveys and interviews were conducted on a major construction project in Thailand to explore the most significant problems causing construction delays. Factors related to designers, contractors and consultants were rated among the top problems. Issues such as lack of resources, poor contractor management, shortage of labour, design delays, planning and scheduling deficiencies, changed orders and contractors' financial difficulties were also highlighted during the interviews. Notably, problems such as 'multicultural and multilingual environment causing ineffective communication', 'large number of participants of project' and 'involvement of several foreign designers and contractors' were rated among the bottom 10 problems in the 75‐item problem inventory. These findings can be helpful for project managers to mitigate the construction delays in Thailand. In order to effectively overcome the construction delays in developing countries, suggestions are made for fundamental and large‐scale reforms in procurement systems, value chain management and stakeholders' management.