Thailand, April 18th, 2025 — Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra chaired a meeting to follow up on the investigation into the collapse of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building.
She revealed that reports from the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) indicated delays in receiving key documents from related agencies. She stressed that the government cannot wait any longer and demanded full cooperation from all parties to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who lost their lives. She also called for the exclusion of any directly involved individuals from the fact-finding committee.
The DSI is currently investigating multiple angles, including the use of substandard steel and concrete, unauthorized design changes to the building’s core wall and elevator shaft, as well as potential bid rigging and foreign business involvement.
A building collapse simulation, jointly conducted with four academic institutions and the Department of Public Works, is underway and expected to conclude within 90 days. PM Paetongtarn emphasized that legal action, including arrest warrants, will proceed once evidence is sufficient.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai added that the investigation is progressing, particularly focusing on the supervising engineer and possible forgery of signatures.
Assistant Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong Yenthuam said arrest warrants could be issued within seven days, pending evidence. He did not rule out the possibility of SAO staff being implicated.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
