In a tragic incident that has left the nation in shock, a newly constructed building of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) in Bangkok collapsed on March 28, 2025, following a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, centered in Myanmar. The disaster has resulted in a staggering 65 confirmed fatalities and 29 individuals still reported missing, raising significant questions about construction practices and safety standards in Thailand.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has taken on the case as a special investigation, focusing on several alleged infractions, including violations related to foreign business operations and bidding irregularities. With a government-imposed deadline of 90 days for the investigation, over a third of that time has already elapsed, and authorities are under pressure to find answers.
Among those scrutinized is the Italian-Thai Development Corporation (ITD), which partnered with China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) Company Limited for the construction project. On April 29, a senior executive from ITD, Kriangsak Kowatana, provided testimony to the DSI, emphasizing that ITD's role was limited to specific engineering aspects, and they were not responsible for the overall structural integrity of the building.
“The division of work was clear,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Amorn Hongsrithong, who is overseeing the investigation. “ITD was responsible for the drilling and system engineering, while China Railway managed the structural components.” Meanwhile, representatives from China Railway have yet to publicly comment on the collapse, despite one of their major shareholders, Zhang Chuanling, being arrested on charges related to foreign business operations.
In an effort to provide humanitarian assistance, the joint venture of ITD and China Railway has expressed their intention to offer financial compensation to the victims' families and those injured in the collapse. A letter from the DSI indicated that the joint venture is willing to work with legal representatives to establish criteria for the compensation process.
However, the investigation has also revealed troubling allegations of forgery, including claims that the signatures of engineers were falsified during the construction process. Engineer Somkiat Chusangsuk, whose name was allegedly used without consent, stated, “I had been contacted about the project in 2020, but after that, I never heard anything. If the building hadn’t collapsed, I would have never known my name was being used.” He has since filed a complaint against the construction consortium.
The design firm responsible for the OAG building, Mainhart (Thailand) Co., Ltd., is also facing scrutiny. The lead designer, Pimol Charoenying, has been accused of improperly signing off on construction documents without adequate involvement in the project. He confirmed that he was hired as a consultant but distanced himself from the day-to-day operations of the construction.
“I was paid for my consultation, but I had no role in the actual construction practices,” Pimol explained. Meanwhile, the company has refrained from making any formal statements regarding the ongoing investigation.
Adding to the controversy, the steel used in the construction has come under fire for not meeting industry standards. The Ministry of Industry previously ordered the temporary closure of the steel supplier, Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd., after discovering substandard products. On April 21, representatives from the company held a press conference asserting that their materials met all required standards, despite earlier findings to the contrary.
“We have conducted tests that show our steel complies with all regulations,” said Surasak Veerakul, a lawyer representing the steel company. “The earlier tests were flawed due to inadequate equipment.” This claim has been met with skepticism by officials, including Minister of Industry Aeknarong Phromphan, who remarked, “We cannot allow substandard materials to compromise safety.”
As the investigation continues, the OAG has maintained that all construction processes adhered to legal standards and regulations. In a statement released shortly after the collapse, the agency asserted their commitment to transparency and accountability in the bidding process. “We have followed all protocols to ensure fairness in our dealings,” the statement read.
However, critics have raised concerns about the timing of the integrity agreements established to prevent corruption, stating that they were implemented too late in the bidding process. “Typically, oversight should begin at the specification writing stage to prevent collusion and inflated budgets,” said Mana Nimittmongkol, president of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand. “In this case, there were no observers involved from the start, which raises significant red flags.”
Amidst the ongoing investigations, the DSI is preparing to create a mathematical model of the building to analyze the structural failures that led to the collapse. This initiative aims to provide clarity on the engineering aspects involved. On April 30, DSI spokesman Warunun Srilam confirmed that they are working diligently to ensure a thorough investigation, stating, “We will leave no stone unturned in determining the cause of this tragedy.”
In a poignant gesture, a local charity organized a memorial dinner, dubbed “Ghost Table,” on April 30, to honor the victims. Volunteers prepared meals for the families of those affected, emphasizing the community's solidarity in the face of such loss. “This is our way of bringing comfort to the families who have lost so much,” said Anyawut Photiamphai, a volunteer involved in the initiative.
As the search for the remaining missing individuals continues, the DSI has urged the public to remain patient and assured that they are committed to uncovering the truth behind the building’s collapse. With the clock ticking on the investigation timeline, the hope remains that justice will be served for the victims and their families.
