'How was this approved?': Thai officials blame 'substandard material' for collapse of Chinese-built skyscraper during Myanmar quake

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Thai authorities are investigating the collapse of a 30-storey office tower in Bangkok after a powerful earthquake in Myanmar. The building’s design, construction, and material standards are under scrutiny, with substandard steel possibly contributing to the disaster. Rescue operations continue as concerns over Thailand’s building safety regulations and emergency response system persist.

Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse of a 30-storey office tower under construction in Bangkok following the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. Officials are focusing on the building’s design, construction, and the standard of materials used after it became the only high-rise in the Thai capital to suffer catastrophic damage, raising concerns over safety regulations.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra voiced concerns over why this particular building failed while others remained largely intact. “I have questions in my mind,” she said. “What happened from the beginning since it was designed? How was this design approved? We have to investigate where the mistake happened.” She has ordered a formal probe, with a team of experts expected to present their findings this week.

In a press briefing on Monday, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan revealed that steel samples from the rubble had been tested, with some found to be substandard. “The collapse of a building can stem from several factors—design, construction, and material specification. The most important aspect is the standard of materials,” he said. Nattaphol Suthitham from the Engineering Institute of Thailand added that while substandard steel increases structural risk, it may not be the sole reason for the failure.

Terrifying Video Shows Bangkok High-Rise Collapsing Like A Pack Of Cards In Five Seconds

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said investigations would determine whether the collapse resulted from flaws in the design, construction, or inspection processes. “We will find the true reasons, because it’s all scientific,” he said. Initial assessments have pointed to potential weaknesses in the steel reinforcement used in the building’s framework.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site on Monday as heavy machinery continued removing debris, with dozens still missing. “Even one life saved is worth all the effort, so we have to move on,” he said. However, he stressed the need for stricter building safety standards in the long term. The earthquake, measuring 7.7 in magnitude, was centred over 1,200 kilometres away in Myanmar, where it killed more than 1,700 people. At least 18 fatalities were reported in Thailand, most at the collapsed construction site near Chatuchak Market.

Shares in Italian Thai Development, the property developer behind the project, fell by 27% on Monday as scrutiny intensified. The state-run China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, responsible for constructing the State Audit Office building, had previously praised the structure’s quality in an online promotional video.

Experts have raised concerns over construction practices in Bangkok, which sits on soft alluvial soil that amplifies ground motion during seismic activity. The Thai Structural Engineers Association is mobilising volunteers to inspect high-rise buildings across the city. Professor Christian Malaga-Chuquitaype from Imperial College London noted that many buildings in Bangkok were built before earthquake-resistant standards were implemented, using beamless designs that can be vulnerable to seismic forces. “This design has cost and architectural advantages but performs poorly during earthquakes, often failing in a brittle and sudden manner,” he said.

Rescue operations continued through Monday, with officials racing to locate survivors beneath the debris. The confirmed death toll in Bangkok stands at 19, but fears remain that the number could rise significantly. Heavy rain in the morning hampered efforts before giving way to sweltering conditions.

Meanwhile, concerns have emerged over Thailand’s emergency response system after delays in issuing text message alerts to residents when the quake struck. “Our problem is that the messages were slow and did not reach enough people,” the prime minister said, calling for a review of the alert system.

The earthquake’s devastation has been most severe in Myanmar, where over 2,000 people have died, and more than 3,900 have been injured. The ruling junta declared a week of national mourning and announced a minute of silence for victims. The disaster has compounded the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which has been in turmoil since the military coup in 2021.

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