Bangkok: Dr. Ae has visited the site to analyze the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building, anticipating a prolonged recovery process.
According to Thai News Agency, Prof. Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, former President of the Council of Engineers, and former President of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, arrived at the construction site of the new Office of the Auditor General building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. The building had collapsed during an earthquake on March 29, opposite Chatuchak Market.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchatvee expressed readiness to assist the government and Bangkok in addressing the situation, highlighting the lack of experience in handling such a large-scale collapse in Thailand. He mentioned the need for expertise and data collection, urging assistance from countries like Japan and America, which have offered help due to their proximity to Japan. He emphasized that the focus should be on aiding those trapped inside while ensuring the safety of rescue workers.
From his visit, Prof. Dr. Suchatvee observed insufficient equipment for the operation, despite the devotion of police officers, soldiers, rescue units, and other agencies. He stressed the importance of expert involvement and mentioned that a volunteer engineering team had convened to share ideas. He compared the collapse to a building explosion, noting its unusual nature since other buildings remained intact.
Dr. Suchatvee addressed concerns about foreign companies constructing buildings in Thailand, pointing out past successes without losses but acknowledging the need to consider corruption issues. He urged Thai citizens to accept the country's position in an earthquake zone and emphasized the importance of government monitoring and adaptation.
During an interview, Prof. Dr. Suchatvee illustrated the building's structure, identifying abnormalities in its collapse. He stated that the foundation's condition remained uncertain and estimated that salvaging the building could take months. Reports at 10:15 a.m. indicated a death toll of 7, with 9 injured and 80 individuals still missing as search efforts continued.