A devastating collapse of a 33-storey building under construction in Bangkok has left 18 dead and dozens more missing, raising concerns about the quality of construction materials and processes used by the Chinese construction firm behind the project. The tragic incident occurred on Friday when a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, shaking neighbouring Thailand and causing the building to collapse.
The building, which was part of Thailand’s State Audit Office and under construction for the past three years, was reportedly being built at an estimated cost of over two billion Thai baht (around $58 million). Authorities have confirmed that most of the casualties were workers at the construction site, though several people are still believed to be trapped under the debris.
In addition to the fatalities, 33 people have been injured, and 78 individuals remain missing. Local media reports that, despite the vast number of high-rise buildings in Bangkok, none other experienced significant damage from the earthquake. This anomaly has prompted an outcry over the safety standards and construction practices employed in the building’s design and execution.
The Chinese construction firm, China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, which is a subsidiary of China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group Company, has come under scrutiny. The company, which holds a 49% stake in the project, is part of a joint venture with Italian-Thai Development Plc. This ownership structure is in compliance with Thai law, which allows foreign companies to hold no more than a 49% share in local companies.
The company’s financial records, as reported by local outlets, reveal troubling figures, with China Railway Number 10 Thailand posting a massive net loss of 199.66 million baht in 2023, a stark contrast to its revenue of 206.25 million baht. This raises further questions about the financial stability and accountability of the firm overseeing the construction.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has ordered a swift investigation into the collapse. He announced that an investigative committee has been set up and tasked with delivering a report within a week. “I’m appointing the investigating committee. I’ve given them seven days to report back as to what’s going on and what caused the falling down,” Charnvirakul said in a statement.
Experts, including civil engineer and politician Prof Suchatchavee Suwansawas, have speculated that the building’s design or construction methods may have been flawed, but emphasized that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions. “You see all other buildings, even high-rise buildings under construction, they’re safe. So either the design was wrong or construction was wrong, but it’s too soon to reach conclusions,” Suwansawas noted.
As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on determining whether the collapse was due to substandard materials, faulty engineering practices, or a combination of both. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased and missing continue to grapple with the devastating loss, and questions regarding the responsibility of the involved construction firms loom large.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or evidence related to the collapse to come forward to assist the investigation, which is expected to be a key step in determining accountability for this tragic event.
Sources By Agencies
