Authorities Launch Testing of Concrete Slabs Amid Standards Concerns
PUBLISHED: 5 Apr 2025 at 15:06
In response to questions regarding construction standards, two government agencies have taken samples of various sizes of steel bars from the scene of the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok. These samples were sent for laboratory testing to ensure they comply with national standards.
Officers from the Central Police Forensic Science Division and the Department of Public Works and Town Planning collected random samples from multiple zones at the site in Chatuchak district. The samples were sent to the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand for analysis, according to officials from the police forensic unit.
The 30-storey high-rise, which was under construction, collapsed following an earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, marking it as the only such incident in Bangkok.
Initial laboratory tests revealed that some steel bars collected from the site did not meet required standards. These materials originated from a Chinese-owned factory in Rayong, which had been closed since January due to prior violations.
Authorities plan to revisit the site to collect concrete slab samples for further examination. Currently, the retrieval of concrete debris is hindered as rescue workers continue to excavate in areas where dozens of individuals remain trapped, according to police officials.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra acknowledged the possibility that substandard steel was utilized in the building’s construction. The Ministry of Industry is also conducting inspections of various steel samples involved.
As rescue efforts continue, hopes diminish for the 79 individuals believed trapped beneath the rubble. On Friday, officials opted to employ heavy machinery to expedite the debris clearing process.
Concerns regarding site stability and the potential risks associated with vibrations from machinery prompted discussions within search and rescue teams. However, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt supported the decision, emphasizing the need for expedited rescue operations and evidence collection for ongoing investigations.
As of Saturday, 15 confirmed fatalities (8 men and 7 women) have been reported from the collapse, while 9 individuals have been successfully rescued, leaving 79 still trapped beneath the debris.
