Thai construction tycoon surrenders to police over collapse of Bangkok building
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Mr Premchai (in wheelchair) reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident.
PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Follow topic:
BANGKOK - Mr Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development (ITD), surrendered himself to the police on May 16 over an arrest warrant linked to the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in March.
Accompanied by his personal lawyer, Mr Premchai reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident
Fourteen others also surrendered to the police on May 16 over the building collapse that killed nearly a hundred workers during a powerful earthquake on March 28
The partially built 30-storey State Audit Office tower in Bangkok was the only building to collapse from tremors emanating from the powerful 7.7-magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar.
Rescue teams recovered 92 bodies during a six-week operation from the collapsed site. Four people are still missing.
The suspects face Penal Code charges for professional negligence in building design, supervision, or construction that resulted in injuries and deaths.
“Expert assessments revealed that the architectural design did not comply with ministerial regulations or meet the technical standards outlined in the terms of reference,” said Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat.
Mr Premchai arrived at the station at 8am in a private van, assisted by close associates who provided a wheelchair.
As he was wheeled into the station, reporters asked whether he admitted guilt, felt concerned or wished to apologise to the public. He remained silent and did not respond to any questions.
Mr Premchai was convicted and sentenced to more than three years in jail in 2021 for poaching protected species after he was caught by rangers at a jungle campsite in a wildlife sanctuary with carcasses of protected animals, including a black Indochinese leopard.
Other suspects, including engineer Pimol Charoenying, who certified the original design, and ITD executive vice-president Kriengsak Kowattana also appeared at the station accompanied by their legal counsel.
The 15 suspects have been brought to court for pre-trial proceedings and have denied all charges, Mr Noppasin said, while two additional suspects would report to the authorities on May 19.
Police officers at Bang Sue Police Station erected metal barricades to maintain order and prevent the media from entering the interview area.
The SAO building was constructed by the ITD-CREC Joint Venture, in collaboration with China Railway Number 10 (Thailand).
The joint venture is under investigation by several government agencies, with inquiries divided into three key areas: the use of Thai nominees holding shares on behalf of foreign nationals; the use of substandard or non-compliant construction materials; and the cause of the building’s collapse.
According to a report by Thai daily Krungthep Turakij, China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) is linked to over 14 affiliated companies.
Three Thai nationals are listed as directors and shareholders across these firms, which have collectively signed at least 29 public procurement contracts with the government, with a total value exceeding 22 billion baht (S$860 million).
The company is reported to operate using a joint venture model with other private entities.
Typically, it begins by purchasing government bid documents and then partners well-capitalised Thai firms to form joint ventures before submitting their bids. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS
