BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticized the State Audit Office (SAO) for delaying the submission of crucial documents to the police regarding the collapse of its new office building. Despite clear contract violations, the construction agreement was not terminated on schedule back in January 2025. The prime minister urged all relevant agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation, emphasizing that lives were lost and justice must not be delayed.
Speaking after a high-level meeting at Government House, Paetongtarn stated that investigators are still waiting for key evidence from the SAO and the committee tasked with examining the building’s construction. She also called on agencies like the Meteorological Department and the Department of Mineral Resources to provide data on seismic activity in Bangkok that could help determine whether an earthquake contributed to the collapse.
The PM stressed the importance of removing any potentially involved individuals from investigative committees to ensure impartiality. She also revealed that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is currently pursuing charges over substandard materials and unauthorized changes to the building’s structural design—including the core wall and elevator shaft that lacked proper reinforcement, posing serious structural risks.
A 90-day joint investigation, involving four academic institutions and the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, will reconstruct the incident in a simulated model to pinpoint the technical causes—whether wind, vibration, or construction flaws. Paetongtarn emphasized that arrest warrants would be issued as soon as there is sufficient evidence and reiterated the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
