Government Minister Launches Investigation into Use of Sub-Standard Steel
PUBLISHED: 31 March 2025 at 15:58
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand has raised alarms over irregularities in the construction of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed during a recent earthquake, resulting in at least 11 fatalities.
The government had previously indicated a possible cancellation of the project due to ongoing delays, according to reports from the organization’s president.
Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation into the building’s collapse, which involved a collaborative effort from a Thai construction firm and a Chinese company.
Rescue teams are actively searching for 76 individuals believed to be trapped beneath the debris of the incomplete 30-storey structure destined for the State Audit Office.
This skyscraper was the only building in Bangkok to entirely disintegrate when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar and affected nearby regions.
Construction of the tower commenced in 2020, under a partnership between established local firm Italian Thai Development PCL and China’s state-owned China Railway Group.
The audit office has pledged to investigate the reasons behind the collapse but has not confirmed reports of contract cancellation threats issued earlier this year.
Originally projected for completion by 2026, the structure was reported to be only 30% finished at the time of its collapse. Concerns regarding construction delays, labor shortages, and potential safety compromises had been raised during site inspections by the anti-corruption group.
Amid these developments, share prices of Italian Thai Development dropped significantly, reflecting investor concerns as markets opened.
Unique Incident in Bangkok
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed government agencies to swiftly ascertain the cause of the collapse, with results expected shortly.
The official investigation will focus on the construction design, the materials employed, and adherence to safety protocols.
The Industry Minister expressed concerns over the possible use of sub-standard steel, and analysis of material samples taken from the rubble is underway.
The ministry has intensified scrutiny on companies producing inferior steel over the past six months, leading to several factory closures and significant asset seizures.
Experts suggest that the collapse may have stemmed from the use of inferior materials or inadequate construction practices, noting the anomaly that no other structures experienced similar failures during the earthquake.
