Chinese steel firm delays Bangkok conference over safety
Chinese steel manufacturer Xin Ke Yuan Steel has decided to postpone its much-anticipated press conference on steel quality, opting to await further clarification from Thailandโs Industry Ministry. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the companyโs involvement in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkokโs Chatuchak district and concerns over the safety of its products.
The press conference was initially scheduled for tomorrow, April 9, at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok. Board directors Chen Jianqi and Somphan Pankaew had planned to address the steel quality issue but the Industry Ministry threw a wrench in those plans.
The ministry announced it would hold its press conference on the same subject a day later, on Thursday, April 10, at its headquarters in Bangkokโs Ratchathewi district.
โThe company would like to first hear the Industry Ministryโs press conference to understand its policies and details,โ Xin Ke Yuan Steel said in a statement. โThis decision ensures we comply with the ministryโs directives and regulations.โ
The companyโs postponement is seen as a move to avoid any conflict of information and to remain in line with the governmentโs stance on construction material safety.
Xin Ke Yuan Steel, based in Rayong, is under investigation for its potential role in the March 28 collapse of the SAO building in Bangkok, which occurred following an earthquake.
The companyโs steel bars, specifically the 32mm and 20mm deformed bars used in the buildingโs construction, failed to meet safety standards, according to test results from the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand on April 1.
Despite holding a Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) certification, which guarantees product quality, the company is facing mounting pressure. On April 4, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan signed a letter requesting the revocation of Xin Ke Yuan Steelโs investment privileges, further complicating the companyโs position, reported The Nation.
The upcoming ministry press conference will also address long-term measures to ensure the quality of construction materials and bolster public confidence in construction safety.
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