Picture courtesy of Fulcrum

 

The investigation into the deadly collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok has concluded, with 23 individuals, including a prominent tycoon, facing potential criminal charges.

 

On 28th March, the under-construction, 30-storey SAO tower collapsed following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, resulting in the deaths of ninety two workers and injuries to dozens more. The tremor, originating in Mandalay Myanmar, was the region's most powerful in years, affecting several inadequately built structures.

 

After an extensive investigation, the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) is set to present its findings to prosecutors. Police Major General Somkuan Puengsap announced on 20th July that 51 boxes containing over 90,000 pages of evidence will be delivered to Criminal Division 8.

 

Among those facing scrutiny is Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PCL, previously embroiled in controversies. Others include architects, engineers, and contractors. Charges under Sections 227 and 230 of the Criminal Code involve negligence leading to injury or death.

 

The investigation's first phase examined design and construction faults, while a subsequent probe is assessing potential involvement of state officials in corruption or bid rigging. This aspect will be addressed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

 

Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has attributed the collapse to poor construction and materials. However, police continue to gather evidence to support these claims. Major General Somkuan stated that any decisions on arrest warrants will rest with the prosecutors.

 

“We’re not ruling anything out. If more names come up, they’ll be added to the list,” he said.

 

The collapse, which ironically took down a building intended to uphold state accountability, has ignited public outrage over Thailand's construction standards and regulatory oversight. The event has fuelled calls for reform in the industry.

 

The disaster site remains sealed off, with structural debris untouched as investigations persist. If prosecutors find merit in the police's substantial dossier, the legal reverberations could be significant.

 

The broader implications of this tragedy continue to unfold, raising critical questions about construction practices and regulatory safeguards in Thailand. As the legal process progresses, the public watches closely for justice and accountability.

 

With potential courtroom confrontations ahead, the case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stringent oversight and ethical practices in the construction sector, aiming to prevent further tragedies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-21

 

 

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Among those facing scrutiny is Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PCL, previously embroiled in controversies. Others include architects, engineers, and contractors. Charges under Sections 227 and 230 of the Criminal Code involve negligence leading to injury or death.

 

And how about those who collected the money?

12 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PCL

 

Find it hard to imagine he will end up facing jail time......maybe in Dubai already?

They caught one company, many two and a couple of responsible involved people.

But I bet there are a lot of companies and factories out there who produced only 95% of quality if we're lucky.

I don't have a good feeling sometimes when crossing a long highway bridge, hoping all went according law.

.

33 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Find it hard to imagine he will end up facing jail time......maybe in Dubai already?

The last I head was that due to his poor health he was transferred to the corrections hospital.

9 hours ago, anchadian said:

The last I head was that due to his poor health he was transferred to the corrections hospital.

Cobblers, he served his full sentence in prison for his conviction.

The pause for thought event on buying a condo in Thailand....QC and no quake bracing in them...........even if a 'big one' never happens.....

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's construction standards and regulatory oversight. The event has fuelled calls for reform in the industry.

Riddled with tycoons and corruption.

What about the Chinese workers who tried to remove documents and obstruct justice 🤔🤔

23 picked out of this lot and Somchai's your uncle!  

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Others include architects, engineers, and contractors.

Time to repatriate to Italy and the EU, 'eh. 

Only 23?

 

Any Chinese workers or "bosses"?  Or have they mysteriously conveniently "escaped" the county with the help of their local "sponsor"?

After a long trial Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PCL will escape all charges and blame the architects, engineers and building inspectors all of which he most likely he bribed. Welcome to Thai business.

Just dug this up...no news to some.

 

While some older buildings in Bangkok may not have specific earthquake bracing, modern condos, especially those built in the last 10-15 years, are generally designed to withstand seismic activity. Thailand introduced seismic regulations in 1997, with more stringent requirements for buildings over 15 meters in high-risk areas like Bangkok in 2007. Modern buildings are designed to sway and flex, which helps them absorb seismic forces and prevent collapse

After palms have been greased with the appropriate amount of brown envelopes, it will be discovered the building collapse was caused by the earthquake and nothing else