Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has initiated a high-profile investigation into the dramatic collapse of the newly constructed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok. The building, worth 2.1 billion baht, crumbled during a 4.1-magnitude earthquake on March 28, trapping workers and raising alarm over potential corruption and substandard construction practices.

 

The project was led by China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, with 49% ownership by a Chinese company and 51% by Thai nationals Sophon Meechai, Prachuab Sirikhate, and Manas Sri-anan. While not yet labelled as suspects, these shareholders are under scrutiny for their roles in the project. DSI spokesperson Police Major Woranan Srilam has encouraged them to cooperate with the investigation, which also explores possible money laundering and bid-rigging.

 

Recognising the case as a "special investigation," the DSI is collaborating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and other agencies like the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI). This multi-agency effort is crucial as disaster relief operations remain a priority.

 

 

 

Investigators are particularly focused on the materials used in construction, with suspicions that substandard steel bars may have contributed to the building’s failure. A detailed report from TISI has been requested to shed light on this aspect.

 

The SAO building’s collapse has severely dented public confidence in major infrastructure projects in Thailand, especially given its status as a government headquarters. As the investigation unfolds, further updates are anticipated, highlighting the critical need to restore trust in building safety standards and accountability within large-scale projects, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

Wonderful, very nice, but the big question remains, do they draw lessons from this....
I venture to doubt it.

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has initiated a high-profile investigation into the dramatic collapse of the newly constructed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok. The building, worth 2.1 billion baht, crumbled during a 4.1-magnitude earthquake on March 28, trapping workers and raising alarm over potential corruption and substandard construction practices.

Substandard rebar, sub standard concrete, sub standard workmanship.

Sub standard inspections.

That's just getting started.

 

17 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Wonderful, very nice, but the big question remains, do they draw lessons from this....
I venture to doubt it.

Will anyone swing for it...

I venture to doubt that too

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Substandard rebar, sub standard concrete, sub standard workmanship.

Sub standard inspections.

Here is to hoping that the DSI investigation won't be substandard, though I won't hold my breath...

2 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Here is to hoping that the DSI investigation won't be substandard, though I won't hold my breath...

Me neither

I've got as much confidence in this as I do in the UK's COVID purchasing corruption inquiry and in the ICC.

So what about the victim compensation?

In all these threads theirs no mention of any consultants who would normally make sure that everything is done as per the agreement. A project like this without consultants would be leaving just about anything & everything up to the contractor, which should never happen.

1 hour ago, Frankie baby said:

In all these threads theirs no mention of any consultants who would normally make sure that everything is done as per the agreement. A project like this without consultants would be leaving just about anything & everything up to the contractor, which should never happen.

You are talking logically....here things tend to be different 🙄

Nothing to see here. Move along 🤷🏼