Bangkok: The Committee on Construction Standards Improvement has identified seven critical observations leading to the collapse of the State Audit Office building. Spearheaded by Mr. Plodprasob Suraswadi, former Deputy Prime Minister, the committee has called upon the State Audit Office Governor to provide explanations or face direct inquiries at his residence. The collapse, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds, has raised questions about potential mismanagement and accountability.
According to Thai News Agency, the Special Committee to Study the Improvement of Standards, Construction Safety Standards, and Remedies for Affected Persons conducted a meeting chaired by Mr. Plodprasob. The committee announced that seven primary issues must be addressed, and both the current and former State Audit Office Governors have been summoned for further discussions, as the problem has persisted for an extended period.
The first issue highlighted was the unnecessary relocation of the construction site from Pathum Thani to Chatuchak, citing flooding as an insufficient reason. Mr. Plodprasob noted that other organizations in the area managed to survive floods by building protective dams. The second issue involved budget inefficiencies due to the site relocation, which necessitated a costly redesign of the 33-story building.
Thirdly, the Office of the Auditor General was criticized for lacking engineering expertise and oversight, relying too heavily on external companies without consulting government engineering agencies. The fourth point stressed the need for increased oversight by the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning.
The fifth observation noted gaps in the current system that contributed to the collapse, while the sixth called for an overhaul of the outdated Building Control Act and related regulations. Lastly, the selection criteria for design and construction supervision companies were found to be inconsistent, prioritizing design experience over construction supervision, which is crucial for safety.
The committee also posed additional questions to the Office of the Auditor General about their awareness of any unusual occurrences during construction and how they addressed these issues. Concerns were raised about the numerous design revisions, including significant changes to the elevator layout, which should have involved consultations with governmental experts.
Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, an advisor to the committee, expressed concerns about the building’s earthquake resilience, highlighting discrepancies in ministerial regulations and the lack of agency supervision during construction. He emphasized the need for systemic improvements to ensure future safety.
Mr. Plodprasob criticized the absence of the Auditor General from the committee’s inquiries, stressing the importance of accountability and leadership in addressing the incident. He warned that persistent evasion would lead to inquiries at the Auditor General’s residence, underscoring the urgency of rectifying the situation to prevent future tragedies.
The committee plans to summon officials from the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning for further discussions, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the systemic failures that led to the collapse.