Chinese-backed firm under investigation over Bangkok skyscraper collapse after quake; site samples fail test
A Chinese-backed firm has come under the lens as probe has been launched into skyscraper collapse in Bangkok in the aftermath of devastating earthquake. The samples from site reportedly failed tests.
FollowA Chinese-backed construction firm is under investigation following the collapse of a skyscraper in Bangkok, which occurred in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck the region. The disaster, which claimed at least 18 lives in Thailand—most at the construction site—has raised urgent concerns over building safety regulations and enforcement.
Authorities have initiated a probe into the incident, as reports reveal that samples taken from the site failed critical safety tests. The collapse has raised concerns over construction standards and the involvement of foreign firms in high-risk projects.
Initial findings suggest that substandard materials may have contributed to the building’s failure, with experts questioning whether the firm adhered to necessary safety protocols. As the investigation progresses, authorities are focusing on accountability, with potential legal and financial repercussions for the company involved. The tragedy has also sparked public outcry, prompting calls for tighter regulations on foreign-led construction projects in Thailand.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site as rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate 78 missing individuals trapped under the rubble of the 30-story State Audit Office tower. "Even one life saved is worth all the effort," Chadchart emphasized, while also stressing the need for stronger building safety measures in the densely populated capital.
The earthquake, centered over 1,200 kilometers away in Myanmar, caused widespread devastation, with over 2,000 deaths reported there. While Bangkok itself experienced limited structural damage, the collapse of the high-rise near Chatuchak Market has triggered scrutiny over the construction firm, a subsidiary of China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group. Last year, the company had celebrated the tower’s completion in a video, boasting about its design and construction quality.
In response, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has set up an inquiry to determine whether the disaster was caused by design flaws, inspection failures, or construction defects. He assured the public that the findings will be based on scientific analysis and will guide future safety regulations.
Shares of Italian-Thai Development, the project’s developer, plunged 27% on Monday amid growing concerns about Bangkok’s construction standards. The city's soft alluvial soil, combined with the strain of rapid urban development, has long posed challenges for skyscraper stability.
The disaster has reignited debates on structural safety in Bangkok, where previous infrastructure failures—including a highway collapse—had already exposed weaknesses in construction oversight. As rescue efforts continue, authorities are under pressure to ensure accountability and implement stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies.
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