On April 19, 2025, the ongoing recovery efforts from the tragic collapse of the Revenue Department building in Chatuchak district reached a critical juncture as the search for missing individuals continued into its 23rd day. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided an update on the situation, revealing that the death toll has now risen to 47, with 9 others injured and another 47 still unaccounted for.
At 10:25 AM, Governor Chadchart reported that six more bodies were recovered from the debris, bringing the total number of fatalities to 47. The governor reassured the public that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was fully cooperating with various agencies involved in the recovery and investigation efforts. "We are committed to collecting as much evidence as possible to determine responsibility for this incident," he stated.
The governor also addressed recent criticisms regarding the BMA's cooperation with evidence collection, stating, "There is no drama surrounding this issue. We want to assist in gathering evidence to the best of our ability. Initially, there were communication challenges, but we are now working seamlessly with the Department of Public Works, the Office of Forensic Evidence, and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)." He emphasized that the BMA's focus in the first few days was primarily on rescuing survivors, which may have contributed to the perception of a lack of cooperation.
As part of the recovery operation, heavy machinery was deployed to excavate the collapsed structure, with teams alternating between using heavy equipment and conducting foot searches. The search efforts were particularly concentrated on the elevator shaft area, where six bodies were discovered the previous day. Governor Chadchart mentioned that around 30 individuals were believed to have been on floors 14 to 18 at the time of the collapse, suggesting there could be more victims in that vicinity.
In a press briefing, the governor detailed the ongoing efforts to reduce the height of the debris, noting that the height in zones A and D had been reduced to 12 meters, while zones B and C measured approximately 10 meters. "We are making significant progress," he added, indicating that the teams would continue to drill deeper into the elevator shaft today in hopes of locating additional missing persons.
Furthermore, Governor Chadchart acknowledged the challenges faced by the recovery teams, including machinery breakdowns, which had averaged around 20 cases per day. However, he reassured the public that maintenance crews were on-site to ensure that operations could continue smoothly.
As of the latest reports, the total number of affected individuals stood at 103, with 47 confirmed dead and 9 injured. The governor highlighted that the recovery process would not only focus on locating additional victims but also on ensuring the safety and health of the recovery workers. "We are continuously disinfecting the area to prevent the spread of disease and monitoring water quality to ensure safety," he stated.
The emotional toll on the families of the victims and missing persons was palpable, with many gathering at temporary shelters set up in the vicinity. The shelters have been accommodating relatives of the victims, with 82 beds available, of which only 27 remained unoccupied as of the latest count. Governor Chadchart noted that additional relatives of victims had registered for assistance, bringing the total to 214 individuals seeking help.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the government has also been coordinating efforts to provide financial support to affected families. Governor Chadchart mentioned that initial compensation of 10,000 baht had been provided by the construction company involved, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, with further assistance being arranged through the Ministry of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
As the search and recovery efforts continue, Governor Chadchart expressed hope that they would conclude by the end of April, although he stressed that this timeline depended on the evolving situation on the ground. "We are pushing forward to ensure that our teams remain motivated and focused on the task at hand," he said.
In conclusion, the tragedy at the Revenue Department building has not only highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures in construction but has also brought to light the resilience and determination of the teams involved in the recovery efforts. The BMA's commitment to transparency and cooperation with all stakeholders, including the families of the victims, remains crucial as the city navigates this challenging time.
