Bangkok: The president of the Association of Engineers has proposed six key measures to address the persistent issue of crane collapses in government construction projects, urging the government to promptly upgrade safety standards. Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanamas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a faculty member at Kasetsart University, highlighted the need for a systemic solution to tackle the underlying causes of these incidents.

According to Thai News Agency, Professor Pimanamas outlined his recommendations, starting with the suspension of all government projects that use crane launchers in public areas, coupled with a thorough review of all construction standards. He also advocated for the creation of an independent committee to investigate the causes of these incidents, with findings to be made public and open to input from other professional bodies to prevent collusion and concealment.

Professor Pimanamas further emphasized the importance of imposing strict penalties, both criminally and civilly, on offenders, and blacklisting contractors who violate safety standards to prevent them from securing future contracts. He also identified subcontracting as a significant issue, noting that government contractors often outsource work to substandard subcontractors, leading to inadequate safety practices. He called for standardized subcontracting guidelines to address this problem.

The issue of foreign construction companies acting as nominees for government projects was also highlighted. Professor Pimanamas pointed out that these companies, by partnering with local contractors, often undercut prices and fail to maintain safety standards. He stressed the need for regulations to register launcher cranes, as many imported cranes are of substandard quality and lack proper certification.

In conclusion, Professor Pimanamas urged the government to recognize the root causes of the crane collapses and to implement measures or improve regulations to ensure that construction practices in Thailand meet safety standards and eliminate the risk of future incidents.