Bangkok: Deputy Auditor General has presented documents detailing the reasons for the collapse of the Auditor General’s Office building. The construction plan had been revised nine times, affecting areas such as elevator shafts, structure, and brickwork, prior to extending the work period. Concerns have been raised regarding Italian-Thai-China Railway Co., Ltd., which submitted bidding documents prior to merging into the ITD-CREC joint venture for the construction project.
According to Thai News Agency, the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Studying the Improvement of Construction Standards, Safety Standards, Remedies for Affected Persons, and Systematic Development of the Potential of the Construction Contractor Industry convened to investigate the collapse of the building on March 28, 2015. Mr. Suttipong Bunnil, Deputy Governor of the Office of the Auditor General, delivered an explanation on behalf of the office. The construction process of the building was divided into eight stages, beginning with the selection of a new site due to flooding at the original location in Pathum Thani.
The building’s design concept aimed to reflect Thai identity and ensure structural resilience against earthquakes. However, the building collapsed following an 8.2 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, which affected Thailand, including Bangkok. The collapse’s cause is still under investigation by a fact-finding committee.
The procurement process involved hiring a design group through a selection method, with a budget of 73 million baht. Forum Architects Co., Ltd. and Meinhardt (Thailand) Co., Ltd. won the design contract. The construction procurement was conducted via E-bidding with a median price of 2,522,153,000 baht, and the ITD-CREC Joint Venture was awarded the project for 2,136 million baht. The contract, signed on November 23, 2020, underwent nine amendments, adjusting various construction components.
In terms of supervision, a contract valued at 76,800,000 baht was awarded to PKW Joint Venture Group. The project site plan was approved by Bangkok authorities, with no violations found against existing regulations. Concrete materials from TPO Concrete Co., Ltd. were tested and approved by several institutions, ensuring compliance with construction quality standards.
The supervisor’s work control report documented monthly performance and service provider actions, supported by evidence and illustrations.