Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning revealed that 559 buildings in 191 agencies in Bangkok have been inspected, and two agencies have been found to have serious damage, resulting in their prohibition from use. As for condominiums, business operators have been contacted to re-inspect them to build confidence among the public. Meanwhile, the Director of the National Earthquake Research Center stated that it will take 90 days to assess the quality of the steel and concrete of the State Audit Office building.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pen-Nung Wanichchai, Director of the National Earthquake Research Center, National Research Office, provided an update after a meeting convened by the Prime Minister, where relevant agencies discussed the fact-finding report on the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) building. Mr. Wanichchai mentioned that the investigation would involve analyzing the quality of the concrete and steel using videotapes and creating a computer model to better understand the building’s collapse process. The assessment is expected to take 90 days, as a complete study is required to determine the main cause.

Mr. Pongnara Yenying, Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, reported that only two agencies, the Revenue Department and the Immigration Bureau, showed severe damage and have been closed. Rajavithi Hospital, previously in the red zone, has been repaired and is now partly operational. Nationwide, out of more than 7,000 buildings, less than 1% have been damaged.

The Director-General also noted that private buildings, including condominiums, hotels, and department stores, are to be re-inspected. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has instructed the Governor of Bangkok to coordinate with business operators to ensure public confidence in building safety.