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Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Police set to submit result of SAO probe to prosecutors
The result of the police's investigation into the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building will be submitted to prosecutors tomorrow, says the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB). Deputy MPB commissioner, Pol Maj Gen Somkuan Puengsap, said on Sunday investigators have concluded their probe into the tragedy, in which the building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in Chatuchak district collapsed after the capital was hit by a major earthquake on March 28. Investigators would hand over 51 boxes containing over 90,000 pages of documents to special prosecutors at Criminal Division 8. They will be asked to consider pressing charges of negligence resulting in harm and/or death against a total of 23 defendants, including the building's designers, contractors and project supervisors, as outlined by sections 227 and 230 of the Criminal Code. The list includes Premchai Karnasuta, former president of Italian-Thai Development PCL, as well as other suspects which have been detained in connection with the case. The second phase of the investigation, which focuses on wrongdoing by officials, is currently underway, he said, adding the result will be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The key concern of this investigation is to determine whether bid rigging led to the use of substandard materials and design flaws. Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had earlier pointed to poor design and construction methods as the cause of the collapse; however, Pol Maj Gen Somkuan said police have yet to arrive at that conclusion. That said, he noted, there is sufficient evidence to warrant a probe. Asked if the police plan to issue arrest warrants or summonses relating to the second phase of the investigation any time soon, he said it will depend on the prosecutors' review of the case. He assured investigators are still working to identify everyone responsible for the tragedy.
Saudi Gazette
16-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Construction tycoon among 17 wanted in Thailand over deadly tower collapse
BANGKOK — A Thai court has issued arrest warrants for 17 people including a high-profile construction tycoon over their alleged involvement in the building of a skyscraper that collapsed and killed scores of workers during a powerful March earthquake, Reuters reported on Thursday citing police. Search teams recovered 89 bodies in a six-week operation in the rubble of the partially constructed 30-story State Audit Office tower in the capital Bangkok, which was the only skyscraper to collapse during tremors caused by a massive 7.7 magnitude quake in neighboring Myanmar. The charges included building code violations that caused deaths, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, said deputy Bangkok police chief, Police Major General Somkuan Puengsap. Thai authorities are investigating the cause of the building collapse and have yet to release findings. It was one of the deadliest accidents of its kind in Thailand and seven people are still missing. An anti-corruption watchdog has said it had flagged to authorities irregularities 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. Those charged include executives and engineers from seven companies involved in the design, construction and building supervision of the collapsed tower, police said, without providing more named only one of the 17 wanted individuals, Premchai Karnasuta, a former president of Thailand's largest construction company Italian Thai Development Pcl Thai Development has held meetings with investors and has said it was cooperating with the could not be reached for comment on 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. — Agencies
Yomiuri Shimbun
16-05-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Construction Tycoon among 17 Wanted in Thailand over Deadly Tower Collapse
Reuters file photo Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 29, 2025. BANGKOK, May 15 (Reuters) – A Thai court has issued arrest warrants for 17 people including a high-profile construction tycoon, police said on Thursday, over their alleged involvement in the building of a skyscraper that collapsed and killed scores of workers during a powerful March earthquake. Search teams recovered 89 bodies in a six-week operation in the rubble of the partially constructed 30-storey State Audit Office tower in the capital Bangkok, which was the only skyscraper to collapse during tremors caused by a massive 7.7 magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar. The charges included building code violations that caused deaths, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, said deputy Bangkok police chief, Police Major General Somkuan Puengsap. Thai authorities are investigating the cause of the building collapse and have yet to release findings. It was one of the deadliest accidents of its kind in Thailand and seven people are still missing. An anti-corruption watchdog has said it had flagged to authorities irregularities 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. Those charged include executives and engineers from seven companies involved in the design, construction and building supervision of the collapsed tower, police said, without providing more details. Police named only one of the 17 wanted individuals, Premchai Karnasuta, a former president of Thailand's largest construction company Italian Thai Development Pcl Italian Thai Development has held meetings with investors and has said it was cooperating with the probe. Premchai could not be reached for comment on Thursday. He was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail term 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
Construction tycoon among 17 wanted in Thailand over deadly tower collapse, Asia News
BANGKOK - A Thai court has issued arrest warrants for 17 people including a high-profile construction tycoon, police said on Thursday (May 15), over their alleged involvement in the building of a skyscraper that collapsed and killed scores of workers during a powerful March earthquake. Search teams recovered 89 bodies in a six-week operation in the rubble of the partially constructed 30-storey State Audit Office tower in the capital Bangkok, which was the only skyscraper to collapse during tremors caused by a massive 7.7 magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar. The charges included building code violations that caused deaths, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, said deputy Bangkok police chief, Police Major General Somkuan Puengsap. Thai authorities are investigating the cause of the building collapse and have yet to release findings. It was one of the deadliest accidents of its kind in Thailand and seven people are still missing. An anti-corruption watchdog has said it had flagged to authorities irregularities 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. Those charged include executives and engineers from seven companies involved in the design, construction and building supervision of the collapsed tower, police said, without providing more details. Police named only one of the 17 wanted individuals, Premchai Karnasuta, a former president of Thailand's largest construction company Italian Thai Development Pcl. Italian Thai Development has held meetings with investors and has said it was cooperating with the probe. Premchai could not be reached for comment on Thursday. He was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail term 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:716233]]
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Straits Times
Construction tycoon among 17 wanted in Thailand over deadly tower collapse
Search teams recovered 89 bodies in a six-week operation in the rubble of the State Audit Office tower in Bangkok. PHOTO: REUTERS BANGKOK - A Thai court has issued arrest warrants for 17 people including a high-profile construction tycoon, police said on May 15 , over their alleged involvement in the building of a skyscraper that collapsed and killed scores of workers during a powerful March earthquake. Search teams recovered 89 bodies in a six-week operation in the rubble of the partially constructed 30-storey State Audit Office tower in the capital Bangkok, which was the only skyscraper to collapse during tremors caused by a massive 7.7 magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar. The charges included building code violations that caused deaths, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, said deputy Bangkok police chief, Police Major General Somkuan Puengsap. Thai authorities are investigating the cause of the building collapse and have yet to release findings. It was one of the deadliest accidents of its kind in Thailand and seven people are still missing. An anti-corruption watchdog has said it had flagged to authorities irregularities 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. Those charged include executives and engineers from seven companies involved in the design, construction and building supervision of the collapsed tower, police said, without providing more details. Police named only one of the 17 wanted individuals , Premchai Karn asuta, a former president of Thailand's largest construction company Italian Thai Development Pcl. Italian Thai Development has held meetings with investors and has said it was cooperating with the probe. Premchai could not be reached for comment on May 1 5. He was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail term 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. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
