Thailand ends search at site of skyscraper that collapsed during quake
The 30-storey State Audit Office tower was the only building in the Thai capital that collapsed from the tremors caused by a 7.7 magnitude quake that struck central Myanmar about 1,020 km (635 miles) away.
An investigation is underway into why the building came down so easily while those in the rest of the city stood firm. Earthquakes and tremors of that scale are extremely rare in Thailand and the quake sparked panic in the city, which ground to a halt for most of the day.
Authorities have recovered 89 bodies from the rubble and seven are still missing from one of the deadliest accidents of its kind in Thailand, which killed 96 people. In Myanmar, more than 3,700 people died.
The six-week operation in Bangkok involved hundreds of personnel, including international rescue teams in an around-the-clock effort during which search dogs and heavy equipment were deployed. The mission was severely hampered by the scale and weight of the debris.
"I want to thank all those who helped," Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittupunt told reporters. "This was a life changing incident for many and a lesson."
Authorities have so far been identified 86 of the dead, while forensic tests are being conducted on 100 out of 313 fragments of human remains recovered from the site, according to police. The probe is focusing on those involved in the construction of the building, which started in 2020.
A Thai anti-corruption watchdog said it had flagged to authorities irregularities it found in the construction of the skyscraper before it collapsed, while industry officials said initial tests of materials at the site indicated the presence of substandard steel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (Aug 19, 2025)
Malaysia * Zara's diary tells tragic story * Five minors to be charged in Zara's bullying case * KL has highest number of hotels, draft for short-term rental rules ready, says Nga * 386 medical officers resigned from Health Ministry last year, says Dzulkefly * Identities of accused in Zara's bullying case must also be protected, says Children's Commissioner * Cook charged with murdering wife's lover * Hearing of bid to exhume body of Palapes cadet for second post-mortem set for Aug 25 * Zara bullying case: Lawyers urge AG to bring harsher penalties to bear or delay charging suspects * Government monitoring, acting on 'swinger' activities, says Saifuddin * Bullying of 10-year-old cancer patient: Seven called up in probe, says Johor top cop * Sept 4 decision on Najib's bid to cite ex-AG for contempt * Sultan Abdul Halim Airport closed due to an aircraft-related incident, says MAHB * EVs to make up 20% of country's waste management fleet by 2027 * 'I feel threatened,' says key witness in Guan Eng corruption trial * Double whammy: Man loses over RM450,000 after falling victim to consecutive scams * Former CJ questions why police still cannot locate Indira's daughter * Anwar chairs unity government leadership consultative council meeting on Tuesday (Aug 19) * Five teens to be charged with bullying Zara Qairina, not causing her death, says AGC * Muslim men in Terengganu face two years in jail, RM3,000 fine for missing Friday prayers * Akmal Saleh to be charged on Friday (Aug 22) * Anwar: National financial management carried out in line with the spirit of FRA * Air Force training plane makes emergency landing at Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim Airport Singapore * Wong vows to protect jobs from AI, trade wars * Singaporean teacher who molested pupil on three occasions gets jail term reduced by three months on appeal * Two China Eastern Airlines planes involved in runway incursion at Changi Airport in Aug 2024 * Four days' jail for former pre-school teacher who kicked and bruised pupil's shin * Singapore seals carbon credit deal with Thailand, its first South-East Asian partner * What led to Changi Airport runway incident involving two China Eastern Airlines planes in August 2024 * Married man who offered cash to 12-year-old girl for sexual acts gets 19 months' jail in Singapore * Girl, 14, among three injured after minibus falls into Singapore's Bukit Panjang canal * Man to be charged after allegedly slashing another man with Swiss knife at Singapore's City Plaza Indonesia * Twenty years on, Aceh and Jakarta continue managing peace * Games, dancing and singing bringing people together in Indonesia * Bali police arrest Peruvian over drugs smuggled in sex toy * Fire at illegal oil well in Indonesia kills three, hundreds evacuated Thailand * Thailand prepares to sue Cambodian leaders over border conflict * Thai industrial sentiment falls to lowest level in three years * Thailand records 7.04% y/y drop in foreign visitors so far in 2025 * Thai princess on 'continuous' treatment to stabilise blood pressure * Bank of Thailand to limit daily transfers to 50,000 baht to curb fraud and protect consumers * Thailand turning to Sri Lankan workers to cope with Cambodian exodus, official says * Malaysian defence attache leads Asean observer mission to Thai-Cambodian border Philippines * Philippine Senate asked to probe church accused of abusing 156 kids * Long lines? Marcos wants 'zero balance billing' in public hospitals improved * Philippines, Australia, Canada hold joint sail in South China Sea Vietnam * Vietnam rice exporters seek action after Philippines halts imports * Vietnam president hosts welcome ceremony for King and Queen of Bhutan * Hanoi heritage train, smart ticketing debut in celebration of 80th National Day Myanmar * Junta sets poll date amid raging unrest * Myanmar border closure cripples Thai exports worth billions * Myanmar's Sittaung River remains above danger level in the south, flood warnings issued Cambodia * Cambodia's border conflict with Thailand poses growing economic risks, analyst warns * Following Thai-Cambodia conflict, 35,000 displaced remain in Cambodian sanctuaries Laos * Lao craftsmen, technicians head to Asean skills contest * Laos pushes forward in combating human trafficking Brunei * AI transforming healthcare leaders' roles in Brunei * Ten Brunei athletes head to Indonesia to compete Aseanplus * ECRL extension to Thailand brings long-term benefits, says Loke * Landmark 19th Asean Navy Chiefs' Meeting gets underway in Penang * Son of Norway's crown princess charged with rape and domestic violence * Macquarie eyes investments in Malaysia, says Tengku Zafrul * Truly a memorable night as Atilla Haron and Salamiah Hassan delivers an unforgettable show at their sold-out concert * Meet "King Evian", he is the fairest and most impressive cat in the country * Action star Jet Li sparks health concerns after sharing video from hospital bed * North Korea's Kim calls for rapid nuclear buildup amid US-South Korea exercises * Over 800 Sikhs from M'sia, S'pore take part in sports tourney * US eyes role in building chip industry * War games raise tensions in region * Lai back in court despite health worries * Saifuddin: Recent threats foiled, arrests linked to terror cells * Flood rescue efforts resume * 'Taste of Korea' campaign generates massive windfall * China's coffee industry welcomes new 'flavour masters' * China storing crude oil even as refinery runs rise * Over 800 Sikhs from M'sia, S'pore take part in sports tourney * Flood rescue efforts resume * Oil prices edge higher ahead of Trump-Zelenskiy meeting * HK actress Athena Chu, 53, stuns netizens with timeless beauty * Bursa Malaysia rises as corporate earnings in focus * Ringgit rebounds to open slightly higher vs US$ * HK teen's award-winning AI app ignites debate over academic integrity, social inequality * Asia shares dip before Fed gathering; European futures up on Ukraine summit hopes * Japan's rice crop at risk amid record high temperatures * Plastic waste from Asia inundates Sea of Japan coastline * India, China envoys discuss border peace, trade to boost cooperation * New Zealand posts slowest population growth in three years * Chinese hotel rolls out dog companion services to patrons * HK-based artiste Kelvin Kwan loses wedding ring while touring KL with his wife * China-aided malaria projects expected to help Cambodia achieve malaria-free goal: health official * China's top diplomat hails 'positive trend' in relations with India * Malaysia's exports rise 6.8% to RM140.45bil, driving trade rebound in July * Tokyo ranked World's Best Workation City 2025 for internet speed, safety, and digital nomad visas * FBM KLCI rises as results period picks up speed * Australia chides Israel after diplomats' visas revoked * Malaysia to raise Palestinian plight with Trump at Asean Summit, says Tok Mat * Mumbai drenched by more rain as highest alert issued * Chinese scientist develops robot with artificial womb for human pregnancy * Chinese YouTuber builds a metro station for his cats * Chinese centenarian sisters, separated for decades, reunite via video, move many online * Two killed, four seriously injured after train hits railway workers in S. Korea * Eight die as rain batters Maharashtra; heavy forecast in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar * 7 in 10 Korean adults digitally adept, but divide widens by income, education * Pop Mart's Labubu doll frenzy drives huge revenue and profit growth * English legend Lee Westwood and South Korean star Sungjae Im to headline SJM Macao Open 2025 * Malaysia's second keirin spot for SEA Games up for grabs at Track Asia Cup * Twenty bodies found in Pakistan mountain village after cloudburst flooding * PM Anwar discusses ceasefire, border monitoring efforts, with Cambodian and Thai counterparts * Asean Club Championships Shopee Cup 2025 group stage kicks off; Malaysia's JDT and Thailand's Buriram are the early favourites * Over 14 million foreign visitors to Johor this year, Singaporeans top list * Cricket-Gill and Bumrah in India's Asia Cup squad, Jaiswal ignored * Ringgit up against major currencies, holds steady against greenback on strong trade data * Foreign worker quota open until Dec 31 for three main sectors, 10 subsectors * Indian police exhume human remains in mass-burial investigation * Over 100,000 foreigners who entered country on work passes cannot be found, says Saifuddin * HK actor Lee Lung Kei, 74, denies rumours of rift with 38YO fiancee: 'We are doing well' * Former Miss HK Grace Chan throws surprise birthday party for husband Kevin Cheng in Malaysia * Japan's defence minister visits Turkey for talks on defence cooperation, drones * Indonesian acts Tulus and Juicy Luicy showcase a sterling display at the inaugural Ruang Inspirasi Festival in KL * Trump says Putin 'tired' of war, but possible he doesn't want to make a deal * Rugby-Women's World Cup hails huge ticket sales
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Bank of Thailand to limit daily transfers to 50,000 baht to curb fraud and protect consumers
BANGKOK: The Bank of Thailand (BOT) on Tuesday (Aug 19) announced that it is introducing new measures to limit the financial damage caused by scams. Daranee Saeju, Assistant Governor for Payment Systems and Financial Consumer Protection, said that due to ongoing concerns regarding fraud, especially from scammers and call centre gangs, the BOT plans to introduce a daily transfer and payment limit of 50,000 baht. This measure aims to prevent significant losses before victims realise they have been scammed. Key details of the measure: 1. Limit on large transfers: Fraudsters will be unable to transfer large sums from accounts at once, which will slow down their ability to quickly move illegally obtained funds. 2. Protecting vulnerable groups: The measure aims to reduce damage for particularly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, who are often targeted by fraudsters. Banks will determine individual limits based on past transaction behaviour, with an initial limit of 50,000 baht per day. These measures will be closely monitored, especially for vulnerable groups like those over 65 or under 15, with additional restrictions on their daily transfers to prevent further harm. Flexible measures for certain customers Daranee clarified that banks will be required to notify customers about the daily transfer limits and adjust them according to individual needs. For example, customers with a long history of transactions at this level might not face limits, while new account holders or those with irregular patterns may initially face stricter restrictions. Fighting financial fraud Daranee said the BOT remains aware that these measures could impact legitimate transactions for some customers. However, the goal is to protect against fraud, especially as scam activity remains high. In Q2 2025, financial losses from fraud amounted to 6 billion baht. As of July 2025, over 3 million accounts had been suspended, with 177,000 accounts linked to fraudulent activities. In June 2025 alone, 24,500 scam cases were reported, leading to 2.8 billion baht in losses. The BOT expects these new measures to come into effect by the end of 2025 for current customers, with immediate implementation for new customers to ensure quicker protection against fraud. In the future, the Bank of Thailand plans to continue refining these measures and keep working with financial institutions to ensure the safety and security of Thai consumers. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand prepares to sue Cambodian leaders over border conflict
FILE PHOTO: This handout photo taken and released by Cambodia's Ministry of Labour on August 6, 2025 shows Cambodian migrant workers carrying their belongings as they returned from Thailand following border clashes through the Daung International Border Gate in Battambang province. While border negotiations with Cambodia are ongoing, the Thai government is taking action to address the impact of military aggression on Thai citizens and their property. - Cambodia's Ministry of Labour/AFP) BANGKOK: Thailand is preparing to take legal action against former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son, current Prime Minister Hun Manet, on charges of using military force to violate Thai sovereignty. The move was announced by acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Vechayachai following a meeting of the National Security Council on Aug 18. He stated that while border negotiations with Cambodia are ongoing, the government is taking action to address the impact of military aggression on Thai citizens and their property. He explained that the Royal Thai Police and the Provincial Police Region 3 Command would serve as the central points for receiving complaints from both citizens and government agencies. All cases will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General, which will act as the 'nation's lawyer' and oversee the lawsuits. Phumtham clarified that the legal action would be strictly a domestic matter under Thai law, not an international one. 'We will not be filing a case with the International Court of Justice because we do not accept its jurisdiction,' he stated. The acting Prime Minister justified the domestic approach, saying it was a necessary and appropriate measure to address attacks on Thai citizens and public property. He added that a failure to act could open officials up to charges of negligence. Phumtham warned that the lawsuits would be filed as 'cases of temporary detention,' meaning that arrest warrants would be served if the individuals named in the cases ever enter Thailand. When asked by reporters about the possibility of tracking the financial networks of Cambodian politicians in Thailand, including Hun Sen, Phumtham said that the matter would be considered on a case-by-case basis and that it was not an appropriate topic for public discussion. - The Nation/ANN
