Bangkok quake collapse sparks probe into 2.1bn baht project
A 2.1-billion-baht government headquarters crumbled like a house of cards during Bangkok’s recent earthquake and now, investigators are chasing down the company behind it.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched a high-profile probe into the collapse of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, which gave way during the 4.1-magnitude quake on March 28. The incident left workers trapped under rubble and raised serious concerns about construction standards and corruption.
The project, awarded to China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, is now under intense scrutiny. While 49% of the company is held by China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group from China, 51% is owned by three Thai nationals: Sophon Meechai, Prachuab Sirikhate, and Manas Sri-anan.
“The shareholders are not yet suspects, but we intend to investigate their involvement in such large-scale business operations,” said DSI spokesperson Police Major Woranan Srilam during a press conference yesterday, April 7.
Woranan urged the Thai shareholders to come forward voluntarily instead of “hiding from the authorities.” He added that the investigation would also look into potential money laundering activities.
“If issues of bid-rigging arise, they will fall under the 28 types of offences related to money laundering laws.”
The DSI has now officially accepted the case as a “special investigation” and is coordinating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to survey the disaster zone. Other relevant agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), will also be involved.
“However, since the relevant agencies are currently prioritising disaster relief efforts, we must also coordinate the handling of evidence and witness-related matters.”
One of the key leads being pursued involves the quality of materials used in the construction. The DSI has formally requested TISI to provide a detailed report on the steel bars used, which are suspected of contributing to the structural failure, reported The Nation.
The collapse of a high-profile government building in the heart of the capital, barely completed, has rocked public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects – and the fallout from this disaster is just beginning.
The DSI says further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
Latest Thailand News
