Thai construction boss surrenders to police after Bangkok tower鈥檚 earthquake collapse

19 May 2025

Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, 29 March 2025. Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, 29 March 2025. (Image: REUTERS/Patipat Janthong/File Photo)

The president of one of Thailand鈥檚 biggest development companies is among 15 people who have surrendered to police over the fatal collapse of a Bangkok tower collapse.

The partially built State Audit Office was the only building to collapse in the Thai capital during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in March.

A total of 92 bodies have been recovered from the site of the collapsed 30-storey building during a six-week operation while four remained missing.

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian Thai Development and the 14 other suspects were affiliated with companies responsible for building design and construction, said Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat. They have been accused of negligence and breaching construction regulations.

Noppasin said, 鈥淓xpert assessments revealed that the architectural design did not comply with ministerial regulations or meet the technical standards outlined in the terms of reference.鈥�

There were also irregularities in construction materials used, including substandard concrete and steel, adding that investigators also discovered forged signatures in engineering documents.

A watchdog organisation flagged days after the quake that corruption may have been involved in the building鈥檚 construction. Initial tests of materials gathered at the site in March indicated the presence of substandard steel among the wreckage structure, according to industry ministry officials.

The 15 suspects have been brought to court for pre-trial proceedings and have denied all charges, while two additional suspects would report to authorities on Monday.

An investigation was still underway over the causes of the collapse, one of the country鈥檚 deadliest.

Italian Thai Development has said it is cooperating with authorities.

必赢体育

STAY CONNECTED

Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Andy Brown Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786224 E-mail: [email protected]
Neil Gerrard Senior Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 7355 092 771 E-mail: [email protected]
Catrin Jones Editor, Editorial, UK 鈥� Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 791 2298 133 E-mail: [email protected]
Eleanor Shefford Brand Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 236 E-mail: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA