7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

As a (lapsed) certificated banksman/slinger, nobody is supposed to be underneath any suspended load during crane operations. Standard procedures also include having a recorded lifting plan that has been discussed and agreed by all parties prior to the operation.

The excellent post earlier by @Jim Waldron summarises what specific safety protocols should have been in place. It also offers a realistic opinion on what was the root cause, be it a lapse in, or wilful violation of these protocols, an operational scenario that wasn't addressed by these protocols, or an unexpected mechanical failure.

Unfortunately what the Inspecting Engineer said is very telling and why so many building projects here in Thailand are a disaster just waiting to happen.

Quote from OP - "He also noted that Thailand currently lacks strict, legally enforced standards for construction machinery inspections, with most guidelines remaining advisory."

If/when those guidelines become mandates and they are strictly enforced, then and only then will things improve. Safety Standards is not an issue complied with in Thailand for so many things (building sites being just one of them) - because they are not mandatory - they are recommendations.

Mountain B Rayong nightclub owners got 3-5 years in jail for killing over 30 people in a fire, at an illegally built and unapproved nightclub that did not meet any safety guidelines and had the doors all locked. The owners of the illegal nightclub in India where many people died in a fire, will be lucky to avoid the death penalty - the ones that fled to Thailand and were deported back to face trial.

7 minutes ago, XRules said:

Unfortunately what the Inspecting Engineer said is very telling and why so many building projects here in Thailand are a disaster just waiting to happen.

Quote from OP - "He also noted that Thailand currently lacks strict, legally enforced standards for construction machinery inspections, with most guidelines remaining advisory."

If/when those guidelines become mandates and they are strictly enforced, then and only then will things improve. Safety Standards is not an issue complied with in Thailand for so many things (building sites being just one of them) - because they are not mandatory - they are recommendations.

Mountain B Rayong nightclub owners got 3-5 years in jail for killing over 30 people in a fire, at an illegally built and unapproved nightclub that did not meet any safety guidelines and had the doors all locked. The owners of the illegal nightclub in India where many people died in a fire, will be lucky to avoid the death penalty - the ones that fled to Thailand and were deported back to face trial.

wrong safety procedures are mandatory in Thailand, particularly in workplaces and industrial sectors, governed by the

Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011). Employers are legally required to maintain safe working conditions, implement risk management systems, and provide safety training to employees.  the fault is Enforcement

Totally incorrect quote because they are not mandatory - they are recommendations.

it is the LAW they are NOT recommendations

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On 1/18/2026 at 5:12 AM, dinsdale said:

First thing that springs to my mind is where are these PT bars from. Imported from China or made in a Chinese owned steel mill in Thailand perhaps?

Don't even think it really matters where the PT bars were from. When someone decides to use half of what's needed, even the best materials will be challenged. Inadequate training of operators, lacking oversight, no understanding of limits of equipment and little or no adherence to safety standards is what caused this.

The rest are just unfortunate elements that put it in motion.

Well, that makes sense.....TIT.

Questions raised after ITD wins safety award despite deadly construction accidents

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/questions-raised-after-itd-wins-safety-award-despite-deadly-construction-accidents

9 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Well, that makes sense.....TIT.

Questions raised after ITD wins safety award despite deadly construction accidents

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/questions-raised-after-itd-wins-safety-award-despite-deadly-construction-accidents

Thai logic

Off topic posts and replies about the SAO building collapse have been removed as this topic is about:

Engineers Flag Irregularities After Crane Hits Train

On 1/19/2026 at 3:51 AM, Watawattana said:

And many other places round the world. Think "Grenfell" and "Tai Po".

I agree with you totally