SAO building in Bangkok collapsed after suspected irregularities – Five arrested in ongoing investigation

On March 28, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Bangkok when the SAO building, which was under construction to house the State Audit Office, collapsed after a 7,7 magnitude earthquake. Now, over a month later, the investigation is intensifying to determine the causes behind the tragedy. Authorities have arrested five people, including both Thai and Chinese citizens, and a Chinese company is also under investigation.

What we know so far about the collapse

On March 28, 2025, a powerful earthquake shook Bangkok, and the SAO building, which was under construction, partially collapsed. The building was located in the Chatuchak district and was to become the home of the Thailand State Audit Office (SAO). When the building collapsed, extensive damage and several deaths were caused. Emergency services and authorities immediately began their work to locate survivors and secure the area.

State Audit Office (SAO) is a central government agency in Thailand responsible for auditing government finances and ensuring that public funds are used properly. The current SAO building, which was under construction when it collapsed, was intended to be the headquarters of this important institution. The building, located in Chatuchakdistrict of Bangkok, would house several government offices and be a symbol of transparency and accountability within the Thai public sector.

Five arrested – Violations of building codes and irregularities suspected

The investigation focuses on three main areas: potential breaches of building codes, suspected breaches of the Foreign Business Act, and the use of false tax invoices by a steel supplier. It has emerged that there may have been irregularities in the procurement process and the use of substandard materials, which are believed to have contributed to the collapse.

Authorities have already issued arrest warrants for five people, including three Thai business executives, a Chinese national, and the company responsible for supplying the steel, Sinclair UN Steel Company Ltd. The company is now under investigation for supplying substandard material that is believed to have caused the structural weaknesses.

What has been revealed so far about building materials and drawings?

A review of construction materials and drawings is a central part of the investigation. According to the latest information, technical teams have collected 240 samples of steel and 59 samples of concrete for laboratory analysis. The building drawings have also been revised several times during the course of construction, and the changes introduced in versions 4 and 6 of the drawings are now being closely examined. Suspicions that these changes may have affected the stability of the building are one of the biggest issues in the investigation.

Substandard materials and corruption allegations

In addition to shortcomings in the choice of materials, it is also being investigated whether corruption and irregularities may have affected the safety of the construction. According to information from the authorities, there are signs that the parties involved did not follow established safety standards, and a construction engineering expert has confirmed that some of the signed documents were forged. These documents will now undergo a thorough forensic examination.

The future of construction safety in Thailand

Following this tragedy, the construction industry in Thailand is under intense scrutiny. Authorities have pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of safety standards and building standards systems to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future. There has also been discussion about the need for new laws to strengthen oversight and accountability for both public and private construction projects.

Conclusion

The collapse of the SAO building is a tragedy that has affected all of Thailand and raised serious questions about building standards and safety. According to reports from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) 62 people have been confirmed dead, 32 people are still missing and nine people have been rescued from the rubble following the incident on March 28, 2025.

We have previously reported on the initial investigations following the earthquake and the building collapse – you can read more about this here: Investigation after the Bangkok earthquake – DSI takes over the case

The investigation is still ongoing, and the authorities are working intensively to establish all the circumstances and hold those responsible accountable.
The coming weeks may provide further clarity on what led to this disaster, but one thing is certain – the construction industry in Thailand will be under stronger scrutiny in the future to prevent something like this from happening again.

Text: The editorial staff

Image license: Motohiro Sunouchi, Flickr, original image