Posted on 02 Jul 2025
The results of fact-finding investigations into the collapse of the Thai State Audit Office building due to a Myanmar earthquake have indicated that defective design and construction methods were the cause, not the quality of steel used, Kallanish understands.
The quality of the steel used in the building was not the issue but rather that the steel was misused and did not comply with building standards, Thai Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra disclosed after a follow-up meeting with senior government officials and building representatives on 30 June, according to local press reports.
After conducting simulations of the vibrations which the doomed building experienced from the earthquake, it was determined there were defects in the building's design and construction methods, particularly in the building’s walls, elevator shafts, stair walls, or shear walls. In terms of construction materials, both steel and concrete were of general standard. Instead, it was found that the concrete used was not up to standard.
The full results will be completed in about two weeks’ time and passed to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Thai police for further action, the PM was quoted as saying.
In response to the results, the Thai industry ministry has said it will continue to pursue steel mills that are making sub-standard steel, to ensure public safety in building and construction.
Xin Ke Yuan Company, which produced the steel for the State Audit Office building, remains closed, the ministry notes. The induction furnace mill’s steel products did not meet the necessary standards prior to the collapse. Xin Ke Yuan also had its Board of Investment licence revoked on issues such as not installing dust-removal systems and possessing 60,000 tonnes of mill scales/dust which was undeclared with authorities.
The DSI is planning to take legal action against Xin Ke Yuan and other steel mills which are found to have similar misdoings.
Separately, Paethongtarn Shinawatra was suspended effective Tuesday from her duties as PM pending a Thai Constitutional Court consideration of her involvement in a controversial phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, according to the Bangkok Post.
Source:Kallanish
