BANGKOK, Thailand – Rescue operations in Bangkok have entered their sixth day following the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district, triggered by the March 28 earthquake. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt delivered a detailed briefing on Wednesday afternoon (Apr 2), confirming the death toll has risen to 15, with 14 additional bodies still visible within the wreckage. One body was retrieved overnight after a 100-ton concrete slab was lifted to improve access.
Authorities have now transitioned to a dual-phase operation involving both search-and-rescue and structural demolition. Heavy machinery, including cranes and backhoes, is being used to clear large debris, particularly around the building’s elevator shafts and suspected stairwell voids. These areas are believed to be the most likely locations where survivors may be found. Obstructions such as twisted rebar and collapsed slabs continue to hinder access, but teams are advancing cautiously from multiple directions using updated mapping based on survivor accounts.
Search teams and demolition crews are working in alternating shifts for safety, with rescue personnel temporarily standing down while heavy equipment is in use. K9 units and scanning tools have been deployed, though international experts have advised that scent-detection dogs are proving more effective than scanning devices in this case. Experts from abroad, including teams with over four decades of experience, described the collapse as one of the most complex they have encountered due to the density of reinforced concrete and the complete structural failure of a high-rise under construction.
Operations are concentrated on reaching two elevator cores and a possible stairwell space within the central debris field. The building has been divided into zones A through D, and teams are currently working between zones A and B, and C and D. Some progress has been made on the left and right flanks, with access extending about 10 meters toward the elevator core. Officials are using computer modeling based on survivors’ locations to guide their excavation strategy and anticipate the positions of others who may still be trapped.
Governor Chadchart addressed public concerns about the operation, explaining that the decision to demolish from the base upwards was due to the inaccessibility of the upper floors. Safety protocols are being strictly enforced, with every shift beginning with a briefing, headcounts before and after operations, and an incident commander supported by a chief safety officer who can halt work if any movement is detected. The site remains under continuous assessment by Thai and international teams. Despite the passing of the 72-hour survival guideline, reports of a survivor found yesterday in Myanmar have renewed hope on-site as operations continue under difficult conditions.
The governor also outlined the broader response. More than 12,000 structural concerns have been reported across the city, with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning inspecting 300 to 400 buildings so far. Private buildings are required to submit annual self-inspection reports within two weeks. Hospitals were prioritized for post-quake safety assessments, and the city is considering installing seismic sensors in medical facilities to improve data collection for future regulations.
On-site support teams have been working closely with the families of the victims. Psychological and medical staff are providing updates and emotional assistance. The governor explained that heavy machinery, while necessary, may raise concerns among relatives, and authorities have taken steps to ensure clear communication. Rescue workers and volunteers, including international personnel, continue to operate with determination. While the focus has partially shifted toward structural removal, the rescue component remains active, with the rescue teams ready to re-enter if voids or new signs of life are found.
Ongoing investigations are being conducted by a task force led by the Prime Minister’s Office, involving the police, the DPT, and forensic experts. Evidence collection is underway, and while Bangkok authorities do not have jurisdiction over the foreign construction firm involved, they maintain oversight of design approvals and usage permits. The collapse has drawn questions regarding oversight of large-scale developments, with the governor noting that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration lacks sufficient internal staff to monitor high-value projects and often relies on external consultants.
Officials estimate that as much as 50,000 tons of debris may remain. For now, the priority remains the continued search for victims and any potential survivors. Morale among teams remains strong, with rescue workers, engineers, volunteers, and foreign experts all operating under a unified command structure. As of today, cranes, heavy equipment, and search teams remain fully engaged at the site. (NNT)
