Authorities in Thailand have launched an investigation into a Chinese-backed construction firm following the catastrophic collapse of a 33-story high-rise in Bangkok.
The unfinished building, which was being developed by a Chinese-backed firm in Bangkok, crumbled within seconds during a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending a massive cloud of dust and debris into the air and trapping dozens beneath the rubble.
As of Sunday, the death toll has risen to 17, with 32 people injured and 83 still missing, according to AFP. Most of the missing individuals were construction workers at the site.
Search And Rescue Ops Continue
Search and rescue operations continue under extreme heat, with emergency teams using thermal imaging drones to detect at least 15 possible survivors. So far, eight bodies have been recovered.
Despite Bangkok’s skyline being dotted with high-rise projects, no other buildings suffered similar devastation, raising concerns over the structural integrity of the collapsed tower.
The building, owned by Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO), had been under construction for three years, with an estimated cost exceeding two billion baht (£45 million). Experts and officials are now scrutinizing its design and construction process.
Urgent Probe Ordered
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an urgent inquiry, giving a panel of specialists one week to determine the cause of the collapse.
According to a report by The Telegraph, the SAO building was a joint project between Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd., a subsidiary of China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group.
The Chinese firm holds a 49% stake in the venture—the maximum foreign ownership permitted under Thai law.
Founded in 2018, China Railway Number 10 Thailand has been involved in major infrastructure developments, including railways, office buildings, and roads.
Financial records show the company posted a net loss of 199.66 million baht in 2023, with revenues of 206.25 million baht against expenses totaling 354.95 million baht.
The firm’s Thai shareholders include Sophon Meechai (40.80%), who has stakes in five other companies, Prachuab Sirikhet (10.20%), an investor in six firms, and Manas Sri-anant (less than 1%), who holds shares in ten different businesses.
Destruction In Myanmar
Beyond Thailand, the earthquake has wreaked havoc across Myanmar, where over 1,600 people have been confirmed dead and thousands more injured.
The quake, which originated near Sagaing, caused widespread destruction in Mandalay, one of Myanmar’s largest cities.
In a rare move, Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has appealed for international aid, a departure from the regime’s usual refusal of foreign assistance.
The government has declared a state of emergency across six regions, with hospitals struggling to manage the overwhelming number of casualties.
In Thailand, tremors forced the evacuation of hospitals and office buildings. Even where structures remained intact, dramatic footage captured rooftop swimming pools overflowing as the ground shook violently, underscoring the earthquake’s powerful impact.
