Thai authorities probe collapse at quake-hit construction site
The planned skyscraper was to house government offices, but the shaking reduced the structure to a pile of rubble in seconds.
The collapse is the worst damage inflicted in Thailand by the 7.7-magnitude quake, which caused widespread destruction -- and at least 1,700 deaths -- in neighbouring Myanmar.
Numerous high-rise buildings elsewhere in Bangkok were left unscathed with limited reports of major damage, prompting questions as to why the one tower was destroyed.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters on Monday that only two buildings in the city remained inaccessible.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had expressed concerns on Saturday, questioning why the collapsed building was the only one in the capital to suffer major damage.
"I have questions in my mind," she said. "What happened from the beginning since it was designed? How was this design approved? This was not the first building in the country.
"We have to investigate where the mistake happened."
Paetongtarn ordered a probe into the incident involving a group of experts who she said would report back to her this week.
- Some substandard steel -
Critics have said that the steel bars used to link the building's concrete structures may have been too thin, or not of sufficient quality.
A number of steel rods were taken from the rubble and put through various technical examinations in front of journalists on Monday afternoon.
Industry minister Akanat Promphan said on Sunday that six types of steel had been found, all from a single producer.
"The collapse of a building can come from several factors, from design, construction (and) material specification," he said.
"Most important is the standard of the materials."
Nontichai Likhitaporn, inspections director at the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, told a news conference that some of the steel was found to be substandard, though most was acceptable.
Nattaphol Suthitham, from the Engineering Institute of Thailand, said the use of substandard steel would put the building at greater risk, but was not necessarily the sole cause of the collapse.
The confirmed death toll for Bangkok stood at 19 on Monday, with fears that the number could significantly rise as dozens remain missing under the building's rubble.
Morning rain on Monday gave way to a hot, humid and overcast afternoon as responders worked to remove debris and locate any remaining survivors.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about Thailand's emergency response system, after a text message alert system experienced delays when Friday's quake struck.
"Our problem is that the sending of messages was slow and did not cover enough people," Paetongtarn said Saturday.
The prime minister has called a meeting for Monday with government departments responsible for sending the SMS alerts to the public, Thai media reported.
tp-pdw/dhw
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
'I'm the Che Guevara of Greenland': An evening with Trump's 'Greenlandic son'
Special Report: Greenlander Jorgen Boassen is a man on a mission to help tap Greenland's untapped resources and economic potential. He's been called President Donald Trump's 'Greenlandic son.' NUUK, Greenland − First, Jorgen Boassen wanted to meet for a gin and tonic. Immediately. At his house. "Can you pick up tonic and limes on your way?" he said, urgency in his voice. Then Boassen wanted to hotfoot it over to a cavernous sports hall for a Thai boxing match where a DJ was playing a remixed version of the British-Nigerian singer Sade's 1980s global hit "Smooth Operator." Several hours and rounds later − not the boxing kind − Boassen showed up at Nuuk's largest hotel, where he shook a couple of hands, listened to a lounge singer run through some jazz standards, and shook off a few hostile stares. Former bricklayer. Political influencer. Would-be mining consultant. Man on a mission to help tap Greenland's untapped resources and economic potential. Traitor, some say − especially the guy who slugged him in the face in a Nuuk dive bar in late April. Boassen, 51, says he is versions of all these things. Most of them are a consequence of his championing of President Donald Trump in a place where rare support for an American president who has vowed to take over Greenland "one way or the other" tends to end in eyes rolled, or in Boassen's case, blackened. Boassen is Greenland's de facto MAGA representative. "This is about a fight for the Greenlandic people," Boassen said one evening in June as he sat on a sofa in his cozy home in Greenland's capital. "It's not because I hate Denmark. It's about the Danish power in Greenland." Boassen's mostly stopped wearing them now because of the Trump backlash in Greenland, but he still occasionally dons a MAGA cap and T-shirts with American flags with things like "American badass" emblazoned on them. He's been a fan of Trump since 2019, when the U.S. president first started talking about acquiring Greenland. Trump says the United States needs to "get Greenland" for national security reasons. It's in a strategic location in the Arctic. Due to melting ice, new shipping Arctic routes and military activity are increasing. It is also rich in commodities like oil and gold and rare earth minerals essential for manufacturing smartphones and other advanced technologies. Boassen is part of a very small but vocal minority of Greenlanders who appreciate Trump's interest, polls show. But his support for Trump hasn't always been carefree. Boassen's been teased and mocked and even faced death threats on social media. He professes to have an almost spiritual connection to Trump. He doesn't agree with every word he says. Boassen wants Greenland to be an independent country, but wants it to to have a close security and economic alliance with the United States. A Greenlandic son who's into Trump Born in Qaqortoq, a town in southern Greenland, Boassen was raised by a single mother. Money was tight. Their home was modest. Heat was in short supply. That world is a far cry from the one he now seeks to inhabit as an Arctic political player with the ear of some in Trump's inner circle. "Trump is the one who can save us, though it's hard to support him when we don't know his plan," he said. 'One way or the other': Five ways Trump's Greenland saga could play out Boassen isn't a social media influencer. But he owes some of his nascent influence to social media. He was discovered on Facebook by Thomas Dans, an American advisor to the under secretary of the Treasury for international affairs during Trump's first term. Dans was also a member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Now he promotes closer U.S.-Greenland ties. "I learned of Jorgen from friends in the Greenlandic community," said Dans. "He was being called 'Trump's Greenlandic Son.' I said, 'I need to meet this guy.'" Usha Vance's Greenland adventure: Why it got derailed by a dogsled race across ice and snow Dans eventually tapped Boassen to serve as Greenland director for American Daybreak, a nonprofit organization he founded that works to educate and advance Trump's America First foreign policy, particularly in the Arctic. It was American Daybreak that, in March, sought to arrange a visit to Greenland by Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, for Greenland's national sled dog race. But after reports of planned protests by Greenlandic activists, the visit was revised to a brief stop by the Vances at a remote U.S. military outpost on the island. A Greenlandic pugilist Boassen has an imposing build. He's a boxing enthusiast and used to box and train boxers. He wears his hair swept sharply to one side. Like more than 90% of 57,000 Greenlanders, he identifies as Inuit, the indigenous people who inhabit the Arctic region. But Boassen's father is from Denmark, which he said accounts for his light skin tone and blue eyes. Greenland was colonized by Denmark beginning in the 18th century. That era ended in 1953, when Greenland became a self-governing territory. Boassen is also a fast talker who courts publicity. 'Buy us!': Greenlanders shocked, intrigued, bewildered by Trump zeal for Arctic territory He has not shied away from the relative fame that his association with the Trump cause has brought him Greenland. Most days he fields requests from journalists from around the world who want to see or talk to the guy they see as Trump's unofficial local "Greenland envoy." More than a few journalists have been to his house. "He's a natural leader with a deep love for Greenland and its people, coupled with a bold and gregarious personality and expert communication skills," Dans said of Boassen. "He's also a true fighter, both as a former boxer as well as a modern Inuit man, formed in his people's great Arctic traditions." 'We are different from Denmark' Over the course of an evening spent with a USA TODAY reporter this summer, Boassen's phone constantly pinged. He called Dans and put him on speakerphone. He video-called a friend in Greenland's high North, not far from the Pituffik Space Base the Vances visited, because he wanted to prove there were Greenlandic fellow-travelers when it came to support for Trump. Boassen is considering whether he wants to grant a Danish filmmaker access to his life story for a documentary. 'Crazy beautiful place with dark side': Greenland, but not as you know it Boassen's wife did not want to participate in the interview but she occasionally sighed deeply as her husband spoke and gave him a knowing side-eye. She sometimes tried to shush him from the other end of the sofa if his comments wandered too closely into their personal lives. "We are different from Denmark even if the Danes have been here for 300 years," said Boassen, as he held forth on all the ways he believes that Greenland's Inuit population has suffered under Danish rule: sterilization scandals from colonial times, poor job prospects, elevated rates of suicide and alcoholism. Boassen insisted on sharing a selection of his "greatest hits," preserved in YouTube video clips saved on his TV. There he was at the arrivals door at the airport in Nuuk when Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland in January, a trip he helped coordinate. It came about after Boassen spent a few weeks canvassing for the former president on the streets of Pittsburgh during the November 2024 U.S. presidential election. Boassen went to an election night party in Palm Beach, Florida, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. He attended Trump's inauguration, along with Kuno Fenker, an opposition lawmaker who is a member of Greenland's nationalist Naleraq party. It too wants closer relations with the United States, though it seeks independence for Greenland. On his cellphone, Boassen had photos of himself with the American musician Kid Rock, MMA fighter Conor McGregor, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, political commentator Ben Shapiro and other MAGA-affiliated personalities. Greenland not for sale: It is welcoming Americans with direct flights "He has a very good feeling for how ordinary people in Greenland are feeling about the issues that impact their lives day-to-day," said Fenker, the lawmaker, who is a close friend of Boassen's. In his home, while sipping a gin and tonic, then a beer, then coffee, Boassen said of himself, "I'm the Che Guevara of Greenland." It was a reference to the Argentine doctor and revolutionary who fought for social change in Latin America before he was killed in a Bolivian jungle with the help of the CIA. That characterization, of course, is a stretch and was made partly in jest, which Boassen admitted, but it still speaks to how serious he takes his dream of one day seeing an independent Greenland. MAGA in Romania A few weeks earlier, Boassen had been in Romania with Dans. Boassen said they were invited to observe Romania's election by George Simion, a far-right candidate in that country's presidential election. Simion, Boassen said, was a big believer in Trump's MAGA ideology. (Simion lost the vote, and later alleged it was due to foreign interference.) When Boassen's wife spied an opportunity, she grabbed the TV remote and switched channels to a rerun of a music festival where some of her favorite bands, such as Green Day, the American punk rockers, and Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, were playing. She came along to the boxing match, too. Reluctantly. On the walk to the sports hall from their house, Boassen said he was trying to form more partnerships with Greenlandic officials to be useful to Trump's White House, but it's been difficult lately to get the attention of the U.S. administration because it is preoccupied with other crises in Ukraine, Iran and the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. He said he's convinced his phone is being tapped by the Danish authorities. He admitted that he is not making a living from his work with American Daybreak. He that said people often ask him if he's concerned that maybe Trump is just "using him" in a way that isn't in Greenland's best interests, in ways he doesn't appreciate. "I don't know," was Boassen's answer to that question. "But I'd rather have Trump as the U.S. president right now than Kamala Harris," he said. "And anyway, bricklaying wasn't making me much money. It's too honest. No one will hire me because I support Trump." Kim Hjelmgaard is an international correspondent for USA TODAY. Follow him on Bluesky, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
44 percent: Little Haiti homeownership, Breonna Taylor and the State of Black America
CNN reported the Justice Department is asking that a former police officer found guilty of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights when she was shot an killed in her home during a police raid be sentenced to a day in jail. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't have too many words, but I do wonder is that truly the price of a life? Taylor's death, along with that of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 sparked racial and social justice protests. Yet, she seems to have had little justice in the aftermath. The officer, Brett Hankison, is the sole conviction in connection to her death. They say, 'Justice delayed is not justice denied.' But will Breonna Taylor ever see any semblance of justice five years after her death? INSIDE THE 305: Homeowners in Little Haiti are aging. Here's what the next generation is facing In Little Haiti, the owner-occupancy rate is 10%. I spoke to the homeowners who are holding onto their legacy properties and why it's important to keep them at a a time when Little Haiti is dealing with gentrification like so many neighborhoods. One of those people was Ashley Toussaint who said it's imperative that residents be a part of the community's evolution. 'Let's be part of the action. Some people want to be enemies of change and then not benefit at all,' Toussaint said. 'I do feel like we still have the power to represent our culture.' A former NFL star has found a new mission: chicken sandwiches in Miami Our minority business reporter Michael Butler wrote about NFL star Randy Moss's new venture: Crisppi's Chicken. Moss is a partner at the chicken spot on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. The eatery will also operate inside the Hard Rock Stadium this coming fall. As Butler reported: At Crisppi's Chicken, customers can order huge fried chicken sandwiches dripping with mango habanero sauce or sweet Thai chili sauce, a Moss favorite. Chicken and waffles are also popular, and one waffle menu item comes coated in Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal. Miami Gardens police chief pushes back on allegations of discrimination Following a lawsuit claiming Miami Gardens' Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt discriminated against five Hispanic officers, she called the claims' baseless at a press conference Thursday. As Herald breaking news reporter Milena Malaver writes: Noel-Pratt, the city's first Black female police chief and appointed in 2017, strongly denied that race played any role in personnel decisions. She said all transfers were made based on 'feasibility, staffing needs and the goal of maintaining effective and efficient departmental operations.' OUTSIDE THE 305: Reparations bill, amid headwinds, could skirt California's affirmative action ban With diversity programs under full assault by the Trump administration, California lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow state colleges to consider whether applicants are descendants of African Americans who were enslaved in the United States, The Los Angeles Times reported. The bill, which would probably face a legal challenge if passed, is part of a package of 15 reparations bills supported by the California Legislative Black Caucus being considered in the current legislative session. 'This is a warning:' National Urban League report details state of Black America The National Urban League released its annual State of Black America report detailing the challenges Black people face with civil rights protections and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being dismantled. NUL president, Marc Morial called the report a 'warning.' 'What began as what we thought were fringe attacks on racial equity has now become national policy,' he continued. 'We are in a state of emergency, and the National Urban League has a fundamental obligation to stand up for democracy, to stand up for diversity, and stand up for economic policies that defeat poverty.' HIGH CULTURE: Sweat Records & Black Miami-Dade: Overtown's PANAMA FRANCIS Sweat Records and Black Miami Dade are partnering to showcase the sounds of David Albert 'Panama' Francis, a jazz musician born in 1918 in Overtown. The event, held at Sweat Records from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, is the second in a series showcasing work from the Harlem Renaissance. Tickets are $20. Where does 'The 44 Percent' name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter's title.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Thailand to Offer Trump No Duties on 90% of Goods, Adviser Says
(Bloomberg) -- Thailand is set to offer scrapping tariffs on 90% of US goods, up from a previous plan for over 60%, in a bid to avert a punishing levy threatened by President Donald Trump, according to a business group advising Thai negotiators. The Dutch Intersection Is Coming to Save Your Life Advocates Fear US Agents Are Using 'Wellness Checks' on Children as a Prelude to Arrests LA Homelessness Drops for Second Year Manhattan, Chicago Murder Rates Drop in 2025, Officials Say Bangkok's third proposal would potentially eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on about 10,000 US products, Chanintr Chalisarapong, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told Bloomberg News in an interview Thursday. He added that he expects the final tariff on Thailand will be set in a range of 18% to 20% — down from Trump's most recent threatened level of 36%. The new proposal, which will be presented to Washington in a conference call Thursday, could reduce Thailand's $46 billion trade surplus with the US by 70% within three years and lead to balanced trade within five years, according to Chanintr. The new figures are even more ambitious than Thailand's July 6 offer to cut tariffs on over 60% of products and eliminate the trade gap in seven or eight years. 'I expect our proposal to be solid and practical. The numbers should be satisfactory to the US,' said Chanintr, who's consulted with negotiators led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira over the past week to finalize details. 'What we'll be offering is potentially more than Indonesia and Vietnam,' he said. 'Since we're a manufacturing country, we have potential to use a lot more US goods and process them into products that we can export.' Thailand is one of the Southeast Asian countries racing to finalize terms with the US. Failure to secure a reduced tariff with its largest export market, which accounted for about 18% of Thailand's total shipments last year, could result in a sharp decline in merchandise shipments and shave as much as one percentage point off its projected export-driven economic growth. Trump has announced deals for 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods and 19% for Indonesia, though transshipments through both countries would face higher levies. Bangkok rushed to sweeten its proposal after Trump announced last week that the 36% tariff level on Thailand would start Aug. 1. Pichai, who had submitted a second proposal by then, said he was shocked and had been expecting a lower number. Thailand's new proposal may include a tax exemption for US digital services that operate in Thailand or serve Thai customers, Chanintr said. It may also pledge more imports of liquefied natural gas, Boeing Co. planes, and key US food and agricultural products. The latter could include corn, soybeans and barley, which are important to Trump voters in rural states, he added. Cheap US food and farm products are expected to help cut costs for the Thai pet food industry, which exports heavily to other countries. Lower costs for Thailand's animal feed industry will also likely boost productivity for the domestic poultry, livestock, and food-processing industries down the value chain, Chanintr said. Pichai, who has said he was pushing for a best-case rate of 10%, is expected to hold more talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. In their meeting in Washington earlier this month, Pichai agreed to cut import taxes for US products that are in short supply in Thailand and tighten rules to prevent transshipments. 'We'd like for talks to conclude soon so that trade can continue. There's been too much uncertainty,' Chanintr said, adding he is confident Thailand can secure a deal before Aug. 1. 'We're so close to the finish line.' Thai growth is already under pressure from Southeast Asia's highest household debt and sluggish domestic consumption. A favorable deal would also ease investor concerns stoked by political turmoil following the court-ordered suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over alleged ethical misconduct in handling a border dispute with Cambodia. Thailand's exports rose about 15% in the first five months of the year, driven largely by frontloading during the 90-day pause to allow tariff talks. 'This is a global trade war, not a bilateral one,' Chanintr said. 'Don't forget how high the stakes are.' --With assistance from Claire Jiao. How Starbucks' CEO Plans to Tame the Rush-Hour Free-for-All Forget DOGE. Musk Is Suddenly All In on AI How Hims Became the King of Knockoff Weight-Loss Drugs The Quest for a Hangover-Free Buzz Thailand's Changing Cannabis Rules Leave Farmers in a Tough Spot ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
