Bangkok: The Ministry of Industry has conducted a thorough inspection of the remnants of the State Audit Office building, as part of efforts to investigate the circumstances surrounding its collapse. The Department of Special Investigation's spokesperson disclosed that discussions are underway with relevant parties to establish guidelines for evidence collection, with a particular focus on probing nominee involvement and potential bid collusion.
According to Thai News Agency, a coalition comprising police, forensic officers, the Department of Special Investigation, the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) convened at a joint command center following their examination of the collapse site. The Ministry of Justice's Institute of Forensic Medicine dispatched ten officers to the command center to aid in on-site evidence collection.
Pol. Lt. Col. Woranan Srilam, spokesperson for the Department of Special Investigation, emphasized the importance of defining clear work sites to ensure systematic entry and efficient evidence gathering. After assigning tasks, the team visited the site to assess the actual work area before reconvening to prioritize agency inspections. The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning is scheduled to be the first to inspect the site, with other agencies following based on their readiness.
Representatives from each involved agency have conducted preliminary inspections, but a comprehensive evaluation of evidential needs is essential to identify gaps and areas requiring additional focus. The collaboration with the Institute of Forensic Science is intended to complement rather than overlap the efforts of police forensic officers, particularly in terms of collecting time-sensitive evidence.
The Department of Special Investigation is concentrating on scrutinizing the involvement of foreign entities or nominees in business operations and investigating whether bid collusion has led to the use of substandard construction materials. This inquiry aims to expand the scope of the investigation.
Ms. Thitipat Chotidechachainan, head of the Minister of Industry's working group, reported meeting with various agencies, including forensic police and local authorities, to coordinate efforts and plan evidence collection within the collapsed building. Due to scheduled heavy machinery operations in Bangkok, evidence collection is slated for a designated timeframe in the morning.
The Ministry of Industry remains committed to verifying materials against Thai Industrial Standards. Initial inspections focused on steel samples, with plans to extend to all materials under the TISI's jurisdiction across all zones. Ms. Thitipat addressed concerns regarding the company Xin Ke Yuan, assuring that actions are based on factual reporting and transparency. A press conference is scheduled to present the findings to the public.