Thailand investigates construction firms in collapsed building case
Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) visited the collapsed site of the new State Audit Office.
The visit today, April 16, aimed to gather further evidence related to nominee cases involving four contracts with two major construction companies. The DSI is coordinating with the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate potential collusion, and the commerce ministry is urged to help verify the facts.
Tawee joined Police Lieutenant Colonel Yuthana Praedam, the DSI Director General, and DSI officials in a meeting to track the progress of the investigation. The focus is on gathering evidence against two major construction companies involved in the nominee cases.
There are also allegations of forged signatures by a senior engineer overseeing the construction of the State Audit Office, which the DSI has taken as a special case.
After the meeting, Tawee stated that all agencies must work collaboratively to find any survivors trapped inside the building debris. Legally, the police have initially charged the parties involved with negligence causing death, which is a criminal charge.
The DSI is handling the nominee case as a special case, which may extend to state material bidding cases. If any wrongdoing related to state affairs is discovered, the National Anti-Corruption Commission will be involved.
Collapsed building
The DSI’s on-site investigation requires both witness testimonies and physical evidence, including crucial contract documents. These contracts are divided into four categories: structural design, project supervision, design alterations, and construction.
The latter three contracts are still under scrutiny. The DSI is working efficiently, visiting the site to gather information, aided by construction experts to establish facts. If successful, this will demonstrate the officials’ dedication to delivering justice and building public trust.
Regarding the alleged forgery of Somkiat Choo Saengsuk’s signature, a senior engineer with dual qualifications supervising the State Audit Office project, the DSI has already received all relevant information. Investigators are examining the authenticity of the signatures, with an expected completion time of one to two weeks, before incorporating the findings into the nominee case file.
Other cases are on hold until the nominee case is resolved, after which the investigation will expand to include state agency bidding cases. Additionally, the commerce ministry is urged to actively participate in verifying the facts, reported KhaoSod.
In terms of supervision, design alteration, and design contracts, no foreign companies have been implicated. The DSI has not yet obtained all evidence, currently holding only a construction contract involving a foreign company. Should any wrongdoing be discovered, it will be up to investigators to issue warrants or summonses, which currently have not been issued.
Latest Thailand News
