PUBLISHED: 18 Apr 2025 at 03: 30
A structural imbalance in a lift shaft, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, may have caused the State Audit Office ( SAO ) building to collapse during the earthquake last month.
Initial findings, including those relating to an irregular lift shaft, as formerly suggested by engineering expert Worasak Kanok-Nukulchai, were based on Mr. Anutin’s dual role as deputy prime minister.
The secretary emphasized the need to concentrate on thorough executive calculations to make sure the findings are conclusive and factually accurate.
He claimed that the shaft’s structure may have been susceptible to torsion during tectonic events because its structure was no perfectly balanced.
Mr. Anutin continued, adding that investigators are looking into whether the structure was properly constructed to withstand rotational forces. The professional research is led by the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning.
The SAO may look into any conclusions involving problem or bid-rigging, he said.
Before any accusations of wrongdoing or social violation may be brought against the authorities, he said an investigation into potential design flaws may be launched.
The secretary also addressed concerns that the site’s companies had reportedly forged the signatures of a mature engineer who claimed to have no ownership in the job.
He claimed that he was profoundly concerned over such an incident because he was an engineer himself. He emphasized that legal action may be brought if the trademark forgery is discovered.
Meanwhile, China Railway No. 1’s assistant mind of the group investigating the company candidate situation, Pol Maj Woranan Srilam, is in attendance. One of the project’s contractors, 10 ( Thailand ), has raised issues with the contract between structural design, construction supervision, and design modifications.
Investigators are looking into whether the design modifications had been properly approved before being carried out because the contracts, he said, involve two firms, Forum Architect and Meinhardt ( Thailand ).
He added that the Department of Special Investigation ( DSI) is handling this case as a special case under the Foreign Business Act and the Act Concerning Offences Relating to the Submission of Bids to Government Agencies.
The DSI is also looking into several people, including Pimol Yingcharoen, an 85-year-old expert reportedly listed as the SAO property’s unique job designer, and Somkiat Chusangsuk, the older engineer whose signatures reportedly were faked to appoint the building’s design modifications.