As protests emerged, construction of Chuchai Buri was suspended for a year. Mr Chuchai was the subject of a parliamentary inquiry after pro- testers filed a complaint to senators and other government officials. Some neighbouring residents complained about loud noise from the construction site, with the closest house about 10 metres from the near est foundation pile. The criticism took a toll on Mr Chuchai's reputation and his jewellery business. But he was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and resumed work on his hotel, which was com pleted earlier this year.