Bangkok, April 2nd, 2025 — Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong announced that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has officially investigated the collapse of a new 33-story State Audit Office (SAO) building during Myanmar’s powerful earthquake on March 28th.
While emergency rescue efforts were the priority, authorities are now focused on determining the cause of the collapse, as it was the only high-rise in Thailand to fail.
DSI’s preliminary investigation centers on allegations that a foreign-owned company used Thai nominees to control construction contracts, a violation of Thai law.
The company in question, with a registered capital exceeding 100 million baht, is linked to over ten similar firms sharing the same Thai directors and business addresses. Officials are also investigating whether substandard materials or bid-rigging contributed to the disaster.
Minister Tawee emphasized that the probe will extend to other public projects handled by the firm, which has secured contracts for at least ten government buildings.
The DSI is also examining reports that foreign engineers working on the project entered Thailand on tourist visas. While acknowledging the company’s global stature, he assured that the investigation would be conducted fairly and thoroughly, without regard to its international influence.
Photos: Inspections of steel from the collapsed building.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
