Thai Prime Minister Demands Investigation Into Collapsed Building After Earthquake, Mass Transport Steadily Reopens

On March 29, 2025, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took decisive action following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar the previous day, with its effects causing tremors across Thailand.

The earthquake, centered near Mandalay, Myanmar, caused structural damage in Bangkok, including the collapse of a 33-story building under construction in the Chatuchak district, killing at least ten construction workers and leaving dozens trapped or missing. In response, the Prime Minister prioritized public safety and infrastructure integrity, focusing on Bangkok’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system and the investigation into the collapsed building.

The Prime Minister personally inspected the MRT Blue Line. The Blue Line, operated by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) under the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), runs both underground in central Bangkok and is elevated in outer areas. Following the earthquake, which triggered widespread tremors felt across 24 Thai provinces, concerns arose about the structural integrity of the MRT system.

During her inspection, PM Shinawatra emphasized that any MRT line not deemed 100% safe would remain closed until fully assessed and repaired. This stance reflects heightened caution after the quake, which damaged buildings and infrastructure across Bangkok, a city declared a disaster zone by local authorities. Engineers and safety teams were deployed to evaluate the Blue Line’s 54 stations and 71-kilometer route, focusing on potential cracks, misalignments, or weaknesses in the underground tunnels and elevated tracks.

The MRT Pink and Yellow Lines were also affected.

Post-earthquake assessments revealed no immediate catastrophic damage to the Pink and Yellow Lines, likely due to their modern design and elevated construction, which may have mitigated some seismic impact. The Prime Minister indicated that these lines could reopen as early as Sunday, March 30, 2025, pending final safety approvals from the MRTA and engineering teams. The decision hinges on inspections of tracks, stations, and the trains used on both lines.

The collapse of the under-construction high-rise in Chatuchak, near the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market, has drawn major attention. The 33-story structure, intended to house the Office of the Auditor General, collapsed during the earthquake, killing at least ten workers and leaving over 100 missing as of March 29. Rescue operations, involving drones, dogs, and military personnel, were ongoing, with Bangkok declared a disaster area and a state of emergency in place. The building, a joint project between Italian-Thai Development and a Chinese firm, was only one-third complete but had reached its full height, raising questions about its structural stability during construction.

PM Shinawatra ordered an urgent investigation into the collapse, demanding a comprehensive report by the following week—approximately April 5, 2025. This inquiry will likely examine construction standards, seismic design compliance, and whether shortcuts or corruption contributed to the failure. The project was part of an “Integrity Pact” with the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand, intended to ensure transparency, which may now face scrutiny.