Thai State Audit Building Collapse Unveils Alleged Extravagance

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand's well-known webpage, CSI LA, has stirred public concern by unveiling what is believed to be a private 200-seat cinema within the State Audit Building (SAB), which collapsed on March 28. Investigators and citizens alike have turned their attention to the allocation of governmental budgets after this revelation.

 

CSI LA, renowned for its investigative content, uploaded a post featuring details from a 3-D construction plan. This plan appears to show a large cinema-style room in the now-crumbled 30-storey highrise. The potential existence of such a facility in a government building dedicated to auditing and transparency has prompted questions about fiscal responsibility and possible luxury indulgences for officials.

 

The revelations have spurred a heated discussion about whether public funds are being utilised for the benefit of the populace or the comfort of those wielding power. The online discourse resonates with skepticism towards government spending practices, especially in buildings meant to uphold accountability.

 

 

 

CSI LA’s message posed a critical inquiry: Is the budget serving the people's needs, or is it an extravagance for the influential few? The sentiment is particularly poignant given the building’s purpose to ensure state transparency.

 

As investigations into the building's collapse continue, these revelations have amplified calls for a thorough examination of government expenditures. The public awaits a detailed explanation of the intended use of such amenities, hoping for accountability and prudence in future fiscal decisions, reported Thai News Room.

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

[The Alien]

Who else can we trust? Thailand is facing severe corruption issues!

[ronster]

Surely it would be a lecture room for presentations to be given to large numbers of staff.

[Sydebolle]

Surprise surprise, of course is the idea of a private 200-seat cinema an absolute realistic possibility.

There the goons in beige uniforms could have daily screenings on how money can by siphoned from tax payers and state budgets for ill-gotten ideas of more private nature, lining of pockets and general misuse of public funds. To keep the majority of the sheep quiet, the same screening area could show, how the government kindly enough was generous in distributing money among the semi-divines as the latter would not understand, that these crooks would distribute tax payers money as the government itself is nothing but a dungeon of money destruction in the first place. 
If the boys in blue can buy airplanes to play war and their brethren help themselves with submarines, destroyers and ... coming up anytime soon most likely ... a new aircraft carrier .............. 

Next please ....... nothing new here - me thinks 😉 

[Muhendis]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The revelations have spurred a heated discussion about whether public funds are being utilised for the benefit of the populace or the comfort of those wielding power.

I think we all know the answer to that one.

[AustinRacing]

What do you expect? To enter government employment (including military and police) you must pay a bribe. To get promoted same thing. Therefore they are all vetted and fit the mold. As such these people have a similar mentality one that is about self enrichment and indulgence. To them it is normal behavior. 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's well-known webpage, CSI LA, has stirred public concern by unveiling what is believed to be a private 200-seat cinema within the State Audit Building (SAB), which collapsed on March 28. Investigators and citizens alike have turned their attention to the allocation of governmental budgets after this revelation.

Deflecting the real investigation into alleged sub-standard materials...

[kiwikeith]

47 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

What do you expect? To enter government employment (including military and police) you must pay a bribe. To get promoted same thing. Therefore they are all vetted and fit the mold. As such these people have a similar mentality one that is about self enrichment and indulgence. To them it is normal behavior. 

The mentality is drummed into them from  a very young age, military style uniforms at school one example

[Dr B]

They could start with why these Government projects start off with a "budget". How can you have a published budget when you don't even have a design or a tender. The answer is that it is necessary beacsue that is what the "commission" is based on. 20 years ago it was 20%, and will not be any less now. So all the tenderers knew that the winner would have to pay Bt 512 million in cash, mainly to the Minister, before they got to sign the contract. This means that CRC10-ITD had a price of about Bt 1.6 billion to actually build the building, so they would eventually get the Bt 512 million back, at the taxpayers expense. However in this case, they had only been paid soemthing over Bt 900 million for the works to date, and only Bt 400 million net. The Bt 512 million would also have been safely put away before the ACOT first got involved, giving them less chance of finding it. People are shouting about CRC10-ITD being corrupt, and they may well be, but the biggest slice had already been taken.

[foureyes10]

Same day, same corruption! What change is this?

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, The Alien said:

Who else can we trust? Thailand is facing severe corruption issues!

What do you expect? Did you think corruption would become less with Thaksin family running the Government? He is the epitome of corruption. His daughter does what he says.. You can not be more clear than that. If corruption could be stopped. It would have to start at the top and work its way to the average Joe. 

[connda]

"We can do whatever we want.  Now you peasants can shut up and get back to planting rice!"

[steve187]

1 hour ago, Dr B said:

They could start with why these Government projects start off with a "budget". How can you have a published budget when you don't even have a design or a tender. The answer is that it is necessary beacsue that is what the "commission" is based on. 20 years ago it was 20%, and will not be any less now. So all the tenderers knew that the winner would have to pay Bt 512 million in cash, mainly to the Minister, before they got to sign the contract. This means that CRC10-ITD had a price of about Bt 1.6 billion to actually build the building, so they would eventually get the Bt 512 million back, at the taxpayers expense. However in this case, they had only been paid soemthing over Bt 900 million for the works to date, and only Bt 400 million net. The Bt 512 million would also have been safely put away before the ACOT first got involved, giving them less chance of finding it. People are shouting about CRC10-ITD being corrupt, and they may well be, but the biggest slice had already been taken.

and you know this how

[Gsxrnz]

I'm no engineer. Had a Meccano set back in the day, but.

 

Even to the untrained eye, those columns look perilously skinny and far too few.  My seven-story condo building has much sturdier columns. 

[Xonax]

3 hours ago, ronster said:

Surely it would be a lecture room for presentations to be given to large numbers of staff.

Why should the State Audit Building not have an Auditorium?

[dinsdale]

Some of the money taken from construction spent on high end furniture.

 

The "Watch Dog Operation" post, which cites information from the "STRONG Anti-Corruption Club of Thailand", detailed a list of allegedly inflated furniture prices, including:

Conference room chairs upholstered in imported Italian leather: 97,900 baht each.

The Governor's office desk: 105,500 baht.

Reception room sofas: 165,000 baht, with one sofa featuring imported Italian gold leaf.

A dining table for the Governor and SAO Board Chairman: 90,000 baht (excluding chairs).

A 6 x 5.5-metre carpet: 165,000 baht.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40048132

 

[Captor]

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

What do you expect? Did you think corruption would become less with Thaksin family running the Government? He is the epitome of corruption. His daughter does what he says.. You can not be more clear than that. If corruption could be stopped. It would have to start at the top and work its way to the average Joe. 

Was this building planned during this current government?

[Watawattana]

4 hours ago, Xonax said:

Why should the State Audit Building not have an Auditorium?

Good to see a decent 'dad joke' on this forum.

[Watawattana]

7 hours ago, ronster said:

Surely it would be a lecture room for presentations to be given to large numbers of staff.

Wouldn't be as newsworthy.  In HK there was a new building built, and the media got a hold of the fact that many rooms were going to have large flat-screens in them, and of course cue a lot of handwringing.  The fact was that they were for presentations not gaming or catching up on the local Soap, but were cheaper to buy and maintain than projectors with screens didn't calm the frenzy.  The truth is so boring sometimes!

[Dr B]

21 hours ago, steve187 said:

and you know this how

Because I got dragged intio it 20 years ago.

[steve187]

7 hours ago, Dr B said:

Because I got dragged intio it 20 years ago.

what, dragged into the corruption

[metisdead]

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[scorecard]

On 4/17/2025 at 9:29 AM, kiwikeith said:

The mentality is drummed into them from  a very young age, military style uniforms at school one example

Quote:  ",,,To enter government employment (including military and police) you must pay a bribe." 

 

Then to pass the entrance test there's often bribes or tricky methods to get the correct answers broadcast to the examinee. 

 

[kiwikeith]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Quote:  ",,,To enter government employment (including military and police) you must pay a bribe." 

 

Then to pass the entrance test there's often bribes or tricky methods to get the correct answers broadcast to the examinee. 

 

Plus you have to be recommended 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

Plus you have to be recommended 

 

And being a son even a nephew from a serving / retired snr. police officer is a plus.

 

I've often wondered about young cops who are very opposed to corruption / refuse to be involved in corruption or budgets, or paying for promotion or  nepotism, or accepting bribes to get cases buried etc., can cope / can build a career? 

[Dr B]

17 hours ago, steve187 said:

what, dragged into the corruption

Yes