PUBLISHED: 30 Mar 2025 at 05:46
The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning has launched an extensive investigation into the collapse of the State Audit Office building during a recent earthquake.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that a committee will be tasked with determining the cause of the structural failure, with findings expected within a week.
The investigation will scrutinize the building’s design, the approval process, and any factors that may have contributed to the collapse.
Shinawatra expressed public concern over why this particular building failed while similar structures remained standing. She highlighted the unusual nature of the collapse based on her experience in the construction sector.
“I’ve reviewed multiple clips of the incident, and it’s unprecedented. We must conduct a thorough investigation, especially since a significant portion of the budget was allocated and the construction deadline was extended,” she stated.
The collapsed office was a project involving a collaboration between major construction firms.
Social media users have noted that posts related to the building from the involved companies have been removed despite its completion on March 31 of the previous year.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reported that rescue operations are encountering challenges due to debris but assured that efforts are ongoing. However, he acknowledged that the critical 24-hour window for finding survivors has now passed.
