Bangkok: The State Audit Office has prepared over 40,000 pages of documents ready for inspection regarding the building collapse incident.
According to Thai News Agency, the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand (OAG) announced significant progress in the case of the collapse of the OAG building under construction. The announcement, made on March 23rd, revealed that these documents are ready for inspection by relevant agencies. Furthermore, there are no plans for a new OAG building, and the lease for the original site is being returned to the State Railway of Thailand.
Mr. Suthipong Boonniti, Deputy Auditor General and spokesperson for the Office of the Auditor General, provided a comprehensive update on the situation. He disclosed that the building project, which began in 2018 with a budget exceeding 2,136 million baht, was marred by delays and engineering defects. An audit by four engineering institutions identified substantial flaws, including substandard design and construction, insufficient shear wall strength, and some structural connections below legally required levels. These deficiencies rendered the building incapable of withstanding earthquake tremors.
The judicial process is actively ongoing, with 23 suspects, including legal entities and individuals, indicted for offenses related to the project's design, supervision, and construction. The Department of Special Investigation is pursuing additional charges related to foreign-owned businesses and has forwarded corruption cases to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for consideration.
In terms of relief and assistance, insurance companies have been notified to pay compensation to the families of the deceased and injured, in accordance with the coverage limits of each insurance policy. The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has been informed to supervise insurance companies to ensure compliance with policy and legal requirements. Additionally, financial assistance measures have been coordinated with various agencies for the affected families, amounting to over 129 million baht in initial compensation and assistance.
The OAG has terminated the construction and supervision contract and is in the process of claiming damages from the contractor, while coordinating with the insurance company for compensation. The Cabinet has instructed relevant agencies to monitor and investigate the contract termination and pursue legal action to protect the public interest and recover lost budget.
Mr. Sutthipong emphasized that the Office of the Auditor General has been diligent in its audits, forming a fact-finding committee, studying relevant laws, and learning from the incident. He reiterated the OAG's commitment to transparency and accountability, with all 44,412 pages of documents prepared for inspection. The OAG remains ready to cooperate fully with any investigations and legal proceedings.
For now, plans for new building construction have been suspended, pending the return of the land lease agreement from the State Railway of Thailand. Future actions will depend on the decisions of the relevant committee, as the OAG focuses on resolving the current issues and ensuring accountability for the building collapse incident.