Bangkok: Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra has committed to holding accountable those responsible for the collapse of the State Audit Office building. She has tasked four engineering institutes and the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning to develop a model to understand the cause of the collapse within a 90-day timeframe. The Prime Minister emphasized taking decisive action if any illegal activities are uncovered during the investigation and ordered a comprehensive inspection of all government and private buildings to ensure their earthquake resilience.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Shinawatra, after reviewing the fact-finding report on the building collapse, assured the public that the construction laws in place are sufficient to withstand earthquakes. She noted that adherence to these laws is crucial to prevent future collapses. While preliminary assessments showed limited damage to buildings, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of uncovering the facts behind the incident, highlighting several unresolved questions from the initial investigation.
The Prime Minister further mentioned the ongoing efforts to clear the collapse site, which is expected to take about a month. Collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is underway to expedite this process. The government is actively monitoring the situation, and the investigation is set to involve creating a detailed model of the collapse. This initiative aims to provide transparency and understanding to the public regarding the incident's causes.
The inspection of new buildings, both private and government-owned, is also under review. The Prime Minister underscored the necessity of revisiting approval processes to enhance building safety standards. Ensuring that these processes are adapted to current safety requirements is vital to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Addressing concerns about the construction materials, the Prime Minister acknowledged the potential role of steel quality in the collapse. She called for a thorough investigation to determine the structural implications and to hold responsible parties accountable.
In response to reports of a steel company allegedly threatening the transfer of the Minister of Industry involved in the investigation, Prime Minister Shinawatra questioned the legality of such actions. She reaffirmed her stance against lobbying and any attempts to evade accountability.
Discussions with the Italian-Thai Development Company and China Railway Company, involved in the joint venture, have not yet occurred. However, the Prime Minister indicated her willingness to engage if necessary during the investigation process.