Bangkok: MP Attawich Suwannaphakdee of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, alongside representatives from the Steel Manufacturers Association and other officials, held a press conference to announce the reopening of the Xin Ke Yuan steel plant. This plant produced the steel used in the construction of the State Audit Office building. They expressed concerns regarding a potential repeat of the State Audit Office building scandal, urging the government to expedite its investigation.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Attawich Suwannaphakdee revealed that the Xin Ke Yuan factory was permitted to reopen by order of the Ministry of Industry. This decision comes amid ongoing concerns over the collapse of the State Audit Office building, where the precise cause remains unresolved. Mr. Attawich highlighted several irregularities in the approval process and questioned why public concerns should remain unaddressed. Although previous inspections confirmed that safety systems had been improved to meet required standards, the core issue revolves around the quality of steel production.
The Xin Ke Yuan steel plant employs an Induction Furnace (IF) system, which uses scrap metal. Engineering principles and industry standards, however, necessitate a refining furnace to remove impurities and enhance steel properties. During an inspection, Mr. Attawich discovered the absence of a refining furnace at the plant. Consequently, the steel quality heavily relies on the raw materials used. Past irregularities in steel quality control processes further exacerbate the situation.
Currently, the Ministry of Industry mandates inspections of steel from all smelters to ensure product quality. However, not all smelters at Xin Ke Yuan were inspected before resuming operations. A significant inspection occurred during a ministerial transition, where a large batch of steel bars was released onto the market despite incomplete inspections. Recent factory inspections also deviated from standard practices, raising questions about the applied standards.
Due to these irregularities, public skepticism about the inspection and permission processes persists. The following demands were made to the Ministry of Industry:
1. Xin Ke Yuan can operate but should not sell products until cooking furnaces are installed to verify compliance with standards.
2. Uniform standards must be established for all steel mills, particularly those producing IF steel, requiring refining furnaces for quality and safety.
3. The use of IF steel systems in high-rise buildings and critical infrastructure should be reviewed to prioritize public safety.
Learning from past mistakes and strengthening industry standards is essential to avoid recurring concerns about steel quality and public safety. Experts from steel industry associations emphasize the importance of refining furnaces in producing quality steel and highlight the societal need to address issues related to IF steel production.
Mr. Rungroj Lertarrom from the Thai Association of Electric Arc Furnace Long Steel Producers stated that Thailand is revising its steel rebar standards, drawing lessons from countries like China and Japan that have moved away from IF steel. ASEAN studies show that IF steel poses risks compared to BF and EAF steel, which adhere to stricter quality controls. Thailand's standards must prioritize long-term quality and safety, especially for critical infrastructure.