PUBLISHED : 30 Mar 2025 at 17:48
Thailand’s interior minister has required a report on the collapse of the newly constructed State Audit Office building within one week, amid an investigation involving four Chinese workers accused of retrieving documents from the scene.
In response to the incident, a Chinese expert has been dispatched to assess the collapse site.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Sunday that a specialized committee has been established to investigate the cause of the collapse, with findings expected within seven days.
This committee is staffed by experienced engineers from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, alongside other qualified experts.
“Thailand is committed to swiftly determining the reasons behind the building’s failure. Given its recent construction, it should have been designed to withstand seismic activity,” Minister Anutin stated.
The collapsed structure was intended to serve as the new headquarters for the State Audit Office in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The project was undertaken by a consortium that includes well-known construction firms.
The Chinese ambassador to Thailand facilitated the arrival of a specialist in tunnel collapses and earthquakes to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Following their discussions, it was revealed that the Chinese contractor has been prohibited from entering the site.
According to the interior minister, despite an earthquake registering a seismic magnitude of 7.8, over 95% of structures remained intact, highlighting the unusual nature of this collapse.
This newly-built structure was expected to be resilient to such conditions, he emphasized.
The investigation will also scrutinize the architects, construction supervisors, and laborers involved in the project, with accountability expected from both Thai and Chinese parties associated with the construction.
Efforts to reach potential victims trapped in the debris are ongoing, with rescuers working diligently.
Additionally, Metropolitan Police Bureau representatives confirmed the interrogation of four Chinese workers who removed 32 files from containers adjacent to the collapsed site.
These individuals, holding valid work permits, were part of the construction consortium, according to police officials.
The seized files reportedly contained vital information on contractors and subcontractors involved in the project. After questioning, the workers were released.
The workers claimed that they gathered the documents to assist with insurance compensation claims, with a formal complaint to be lodged by the Chatuchak district office.
In light of the incident, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has instructed owners of significant buildings, theaters, hotels, and other large structures to evaluate their safety and structural integrity within a two-week timeframe.
This directive pertains to:
- All buildings exceeding 23 meters in height
- Structures with a footprint of at least 10,000 square meters
- Venues accommodating 500 or more individuals, or covering 1,000 square meters
- Theaters
- Hotels with a minimum of 80 rooms
- Service parlors with areas of at least 200 square meters
- Condominiums and apartment buildings with a minimum area of 5,000 square meters
- Billboards that are at least 15 meters tall or cover 50 square meters
- Rooftop billboards that cover 25 square meters or more
