Seventeen Arrest Warrants Unveiled for Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse

Severe structural issues linked to the tower's design and construction are coming to light, with ongoing rescue efforts still in motion.

A Thai court has issued a total of 17 arrest warrants for individuals implicated in the construction of a skyscraper that tragically collapsed amidst a powerful earthquake in March. The 30-storey building, intended to serve as the State Audit Office, crumbled when the Bangkok region experienced tremors from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that originated in neighboring Myanmar.

Authorities confirmed the recovery of 89 deceased individuals from the site, while an additional seven remain missing. Local media reports indicate that those facing arrest are associated with the design, construction, and oversight of the doomed tower. Among the names mentioned is Premchai Karnasuta, a notable businessman and former president of Italian-Thai Development PLC, one of the country's largest construction companies.

Investigations have already uncovered significant structural flaws, specifically in the lift shaft of the building. The Thai authorities are yet to release comprehensive findings regarding the building's collapse. Eyewitness footage captured the horrifying scene of high-rise buildings swaying, with water cascading from rooftop pools onto the streets below during the earthquake, which resulted in minimal damage to most structures in Bangkok.

The State Audit Office tower, prominently situated near the bustling Chatuchak market, was a three-year project valued at over two billion Thai baht (approximately $59 million). At the time of the collapse, over 400 workers were present on site, prompting the deployment of specialized rescue teams equipped with drones, sniffer dogs, cranes, and excavators.

The earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 resulted in over 3,000 fatalities, with more than 4,500 sustaining injuries. Tremors from this disaster were felt throughout Thailand and even in southwestern China, heightening concerns about structural integrity in earthquake-prone regions.