Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Public Works has disclosed that the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General’s building may be due to two main factors: design or construction. The investigation is expected to take 90 days, during which an advanced model will be developed for analysis. The findings will be forwarded to the police and the Department of Special Investigation for further action.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pongnara Yenying, the Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, explained the progress of the investigation. He mentioned that a mathematical model is being created to analyze the design for potential flaws that could have led to the building’s collapse. This model is being developed by four educational institutions in collaboration with the Department of Public Works. Each institution will independently create a model, and the results will be compared. The process involves inputting the actual construction model into a computer and evaluating it under simulated earthquake conditions to determine if the collapse was due to design flaws.

Mr. Phongsana also highlighted that construction inspections are being conducted using existing documents, including daily and weekly reports, concrete pouring approvals, and construction format approvals. Steel and concrete samples are being collected to ensure they meet the required standards. The inspection is being carried out in parallel for both design and construction aspects.

When questioned about identifying the cause and responsible parties, Mr. Phongsana clarified that the investigation is looking into both design and construction as potential causes. The engineering model will determine whether the collapse was due to design issues, while construction aspects are also being examined.

Regarding the next steps, Mr. Phongsana noted that the Department of Public Works has been tasked with leading the investigation into the facts surrounding the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General building. Once results are obtained, they will be reported to the Minister of Interior, who will inform the Prime Minister. The police and the Department of Special Investigation will then take necessary actions based on the findings.