PUBLISHED: 21 Apr 2025 at 04:39
A research is live for three Thai managers of China Railway No. 10 ( Thailand ) Co who are wanted by authorities in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office building during the March 28 earthquake, which killed dozens of workers.
The search was announced by the Department of Special Investigation ( DSI) after it arrested Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese national working as an executive at China Railway No. 10 ( Thailand ) Co, at a hotel in the Ratchadaphisek neighbourhood on Saturday.
The three suspects– identified as Manas Sri-anan, Prachuap Sirikhet, and Sophon Meechai– along with Mr Zhang, are listed as executives of the Thai firm, which formed a cooperative venture with Italian-Thai Development Plc that won the contract to develop the ill-fated 30-storey State Audit Office tower in Chatuchak area.
The DSI said its research into the company’s holding architecture found that 51 % of the company was apparently held by the Thai citizens– with Mr Sophon holding 40. 7997 % of the stock, Mr Prachuap holding 10. 2 %, and Mr Manas 0. 0003 %– while Mr Zhang held the remaining 49 %.
Investigators suspect these shares were held on behalf of foreign actors, in violation of the Foreign Business Act ( 1999 ). With the data pointing to the use of candidate owners, the DSI asked the Criminal Court to challenge arrest permits for the four professionals.
Researchers tracked Mr Zhang to his hotel and brought him to DS I’s headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road for questioning. Attempts are now live to find the whereabouts of the three Thai managers, who are still at large.
Several investigations into various irregularities surrounding the house’s structure are continuing, including a probe into the argument that poor steel was used in the project, contributing to the building’s collapse.
The Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand did observe 40 metal specimens collected from the page on Monday. The testing will determine whether the metal meets the Thai Industrial Standards Institute’s normal. If the materials prove to be substandard, legal action will be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co, which supplied steel for the project, will talk to the media regarding the quality of the materials used in the building.
Separately, the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) criticised Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for providing vague and delayed responses following the collapse, while urging the PM to ensure transparency in the investigation.