Thailand Government Seeks to Restore Confidence After Earthquake-Related Building Collapse
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announces investigation into construction standards following the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring international confidence in Thailand following an earthquake-induced building collapse in Bangkok.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), she addressed concerns surrounding the newly constructed State Audit Office (SAO) building, which collapsed during Friday's earthquake.
She attributed the collapse to technical errors specific to the SAO building and reassured the public that other structures in Bangkok meet earthquake-resistant standards.
A comprehensive investigation into the project’s approval processes, design, and construction materials is currently underway, with findings expected within two to three days.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, has been tasked with reviewing the construction materials used in the SAO building.
Samples have already been collected for detailed analysis to ascertain the reasons behind the failure.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, which prompted the collapse, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that normal traffic conditions have returned across major expressways and metro lines, though some areas near the site of the collapse in Chatuchak district continue to experience minor congestion due to crane removal operations in nearby Bang Sue district.
Ongoing building inspections have led to over 13,000 reports, with many issues related to minor wall cracks.
However, two buildings have been identified as unsafe, impacting approximately 2,000 residents, who have been assisted with temporary shelter arrangements by corporate and government agencies.
Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD), part of the ITD-CREC joint venture responsible for the SAO building's construction, expressed deep regret over the incident.
The company has pledged full cooperation with authorities and committed to providing compensation for the affected families.
ITD expressed confidence that other ongoing construction projects would remain unaffected by this incident.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has not confirmed whether ITD will face government blacklisting but mentioned that criminal charges against the company are being considered as part of the ongoing investigation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), she addressed concerns surrounding the newly constructed State Audit Office (SAO) building, which collapsed during Friday's earthquake.
She attributed the collapse to technical errors specific to the SAO building and reassured the public that other structures in Bangkok meet earthquake-resistant standards.
A comprehensive investigation into the project’s approval processes, design, and construction materials is currently underway, with findings expected within two to three days.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, has been tasked with reviewing the construction materials used in the SAO building.
Samples have already been collected for detailed analysis to ascertain the reasons behind the failure.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, which prompted the collapse, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that normal traffic conditions have returned across major expressways and metro lines, though some areas near the site of the collapse in Chatuchak district continue to experience minor congestion due to crane removal operations in nearby Bang Sue district.
Ongoing building inspections have led to over 13,000 reports, with many issues related to minor wall cracks.
However, two buildings have been identified as unsafe, impacting approximately 2,000 residents, who have been assisted with temporary shelter arrangements by corporate and government agencies.
Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD), part of the ITD-CREC joint venture responsible for the SAO building's construction, expressed deep regret over the incident.
The company has pledged full cooperation with authorities and committed to providing compensation for the affected families.
ITD expressed confidence that other ongoing construction projects would remain unaffected by this incident.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has not confirmed whether ITD will face government blacklisting but mentioned that criminal charges against the company are being considered as part of the ongoing investigation.
