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New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Thai construction tycoon and 14 others surrender to police over fatal Bangkok tower collapse
BANGKOK: A Thai construction tycoon and 14 others surrendered to police on Friday over a building collapse that killed nearly a hundred workers during a powerful earthquake in March, authorities said. The partially built 30-storey State Audit Office tower in Bangkok was the only building to collapse from tremors emanating from the powerful 7.7 magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar. Rescue teams have recovered 92 bodies during a six week operation from the collapsed site. Four were still missing. Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian Thai Development , one of Thailand's largest construction companies, and the 14 other suspects were affiliated with companies responsible for building design and construction, said Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat. They have been accused of negligence and breaching construction regulations. "Expert assessments revealed that the architectural design did not comply with ministerial regulations or meet the technical standards outlined in the terms of reference," Noppasin said. There were also irregularities in construction materials used, including substandard concrete and steel, he said, adding that investigators also discovered forged signatures in engineering documents. A watchdog organisation flagged days after the quake that corruption may have been involved in the building's construction. Initial tests of materials gathered at the site in March indicated the presence of substandard steel among the wreckage structure, according to industry ministry officials. The 15 suspects have been brought to court for pre-trial proceedings and have denied all charges, Noppasin said, while two additional suspects would report to authorities on Monday. An investigation was still underway over the causes of the collapse, one of the country's deadliest. Italian Thai Development has said it is cooperating with authorities. Premchai was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail in 2021 for poaching protected species after he was caught by rangers at a jungle campsite in a wildlife sanctuary with carcasses of protected animals, including a black Indochinese leopard.
AsiaOne
16-05-2025
- AsiaOne
Thai construction tycoon and 14 others surrender to police over fatal Bangkok tower collapse, Asia News
BANGKOK — A Thai construction tycoon and 14 others surrendered to police on Friday (May 16) over a building collapse that killed nearly a hundred workers during a powerful earthquake in March, authorities said. The partially built 30-storey State Audit Office tower in Bangkok was the only building to collapse from tremors emanating from the powerful 7.7 magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar. Rescue teams have recovered 92 bodies during a six week operation from the collapsed site. Four were still missing. Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian Thai Development, one of Thailand's largest construction companies, and the 14 other suspects were affiliated with companies responsible for building design and construction, said Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat. They have been accused of negligence and breaching construction regulations. "Expert assessments revealed that the architectural design did not comply with ministerial regulations or meet the technical standards outlined in the terms of reference," Noppasin said. There were also irregularities in construction materials used, including substandard concrete and steel, he said, adding that investigators also discovered forged signatures in engineering documents. A watchdog organisation flagged days after the quake that corruption may have been involved in the building's construction. Initial tests of materials gathered at the site in March indicated the presence of substandard steel among the wreckage structure, according to industry ministry officials. The 15 suspects have been brought to court for pre-trial proceedings and have denied all charges, Noppasin said, while two additional suspects would report to authorities on Monday. An investigation was still underway over the causes of the collapse, one of the country's deadliest. Italian Thai Development has said it is cooperating with authorities. Premchai was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail in 2021 for poaching protected species after he was caught by rangers at a jungle campsite in a wildlife sanctuary with carcasses of protected animals, including a black Indochinese leopard. [[nid:716173]]
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Straits Times
Thai construction tycoon surrenders to police over collapse of Bangkok building
Mr Premchai (in wheelchair) reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)'s issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK BANGKOK - Mr Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development (ITD), surrendered to police on May 16 over an arrest warrant linked to the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in March. Accompanied by his personal lawyer, Mr Premchai reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)'s issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident. The case involves the collapse of a 30-storey building in Bangkok's Chatuchak district on March 28, triggered by an earthquake, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The suspects face Penal Code charges for professional negligence in building design, supervision, or construction that resulted in injuries and deaths. Mr Premchai arrived at the station at 8am in a private van, assisted by close associates who provided a wheelchair. As he was wheeled into the station, reporters asked whether he admitted guilt, felt concerned or wished to apologise to the public. He remained silent and did not respond to any questions. Other suspects, including engineer Pimol Charoenying, who certified the original design, and Kriengsak Kowattana, executive vice-president of ITD, also appeared at the station accompanied by their legal counsel. Police officers at Bang Sue Police Station erected metal barricades to maintain order and prevent the media from entering the interview area. The SAO building was constructed by the ITD-CREC Joint Venture, in collaboration with China Railway Number 10 (Thailand). The joint venture is currently under investigation by several government agencies, with inquiries divided into three key areas: the use of Thai nominees holding shares on behalf of foreign nationals, the use of substandard or non-compliant construction materials, and the cause of the building's collapse. According to a report by Krungthep Turakij, China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) is linked to over 14 affiliated companies. Three Thai nationals are listed as directors and shareholders across these firms, which have collectively signed at least 29 public procurement contracts with the government, with a total value exceeding 22 billion baht (S$859 million). The company is reported to operate using a joint venture model with other private entities. Typically, it begins by purchasing government bid documents and then partners with well-capitalised Thai firms to form joint ventures before submitting their bids. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
07-05-2025
- The Star
Thai police to press charges against engineers, SAO officials over collapsed Bangkok building
BANGKOK: The Metropolitan Police Bureau is preparing to file multiple charges against engineers and State Audit Office (SAO) officials held responsible for the construction of the SAO building that collapsed on March 28, according to a well-informed source. A source from the police investigative team stated that these charges are distinct from the cases being investigated by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which focus on alleged bidding collusion, the use of Thai nominees by a Chinese contractor, and a tax evasion case against a Chinese steel manufacturer. Police investigators have questioned more than 100 witnesses, including SAO officials, family members of deceased and injured workers, and representatives of companies involved in the construction. The source noted that the investigation is over 80% complete, and police have collected all necessary evidence, including samples of steel bars, cement slabs, poles, and other materials from the site. The evidence has been sent to forensic police and technical experts for analysis. According to the source, more than five individuals are expected to face charges. The suspects will be grouped into two categories: engineers and SAO officials. The engineers will be charged with failing to adhere to safety regulations, despite being certified and responsible for the project—violating Articles 227 and 238 of the Criminal Code, which relate to negligence causing death and injury. The SAO officials will be charged with malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, which covers the failure to carry out their official duties or acting inappropriately while in office. DSI spokesperson, Pol Maj Woranun Srilam, said on Tuesday that the lead investigator briefed the DSI director-general on the latest progress. The DSI is overseeing three key cases related to the building collapse: 1. Use of Thai nominees by Chinese contractor The investigation involves China Railway No.10 (CREC) (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which allegedly used Thai nominees. The DSI is awaiting written statements from four suspects before submitting the final report to public prosecutors. 2. Alleged Bidding Collusion Woranun stated that the SAO only conducted bidding for the construction work, but appointed an engineering firm to supervise the project without holding a bidding process. The DSI is collecting additional evidence on this matter. Some engineers listed as supervisors have claimed their signatures were forged, and the DSI is working with forensic police to verify these claims. 3. Tax Evasion by Steel Manufacturer Xin Ke Yuan Steel, whose steel bars were used in the SAO project, has denied the tax evasion charges and submitted a tax receipt in defence. The DSI is verifying the receipt with the Department of Business Development. - The Nation/ANN
