Report Substandard Steel Seized and Workers Detained in Chon Buri Raid

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Authorities in Chon Buri have confiscated substandard steel valued at 11.5 million baht from a local plant operated by the Chon Buri Special Steel Group, a Chinese-funded firm. The raid not only uncovered deficient steel but also identified six Chinese workers without proper work permits, leading to their detention and pending deportation.

 

Conducted by a team led by Thitipat Chotidechachainan, the inspection revealed the use of an induction furnace in steel production, which compromises product quality. As a result, 115,480 reinforcing bars weighing over 582 tonnes were seized. The operation followed a previous inspection in February, where substandard steel worth 23 million baht was discovered, resulting in the company’s license revocation.

 

This investigation is part of a broader crackdown on substandard steel in Thailand, highlighting its role in construction failures, such as the collapse of the under-construction State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok. The collapse, related to an earthquake on March 28, involved steel from Xin Ke Yuan Steel Company Limited, produced through similar methods.

 

 

 

Industry Ministry spokesperson Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen reported that testing of steel samples from the SAO site by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand revealed substandard quality in the 20-millimetre diameter bars. These findings will contribute to the Department of Special Investigation's probe into the collapse's cause.

 

This incident is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the "zero-dollar industry" in Thailand, aiming to root out operations that fail to contribute economic value. Over the past seven months, 384 million baht worth of substandard steel has been confiscated, emphasizing the country’s commitment to maintaining quality standards.

 

Meanwhile, rescue operations continue at the SAO site to clear debris down to the original ground floor level. As of this week, 53 bodies have been recovered, with 41 more believed to be trapped under the rubble. The situation underscores the severe consequences of using inferior construction materials and the urgent need for enforcement of quality standards in building practices.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-24