BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Industry, Akanat Promphan, addressed the situation regarding the collapse of the State Audit Office building on March 30. After visiting the site, he confirmed that steel samples were being collected for further inspection, as Prime Minister had appointed the Department of Public Works to investigate the cause of the collapse. Akanat revealed that there were some irregularities noticed in the steel, stating, “Just seeing it was shocking,” but emphasized that it was premature to accuse anyone until the tests were completed.
He mentioned that the collapse could have multiple causes, including the building’s design, whether construction followed the plans, and whether the materials met the required standards and quality. Akanat also pointed out that although some products, including steel and wires, might be certified with Thai Industrial Standards (TIS), they may still lack quality.
The authorities discovered a total of six types of steel at the site, including 3 pieces of 12mm rebar, 3 pieces of 16mm rebar, 3 pieces of 20mm rebar, 3 pieces of 25mm rebar, 4 pieces of 32mm rebar, and 2 pieces of 9mm round steel. While most of the materials were sourced from a single manufacturer, some types of steel came from three different manufacturers. These samples will be tested at the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand (ISIT) to verify their quality.
Akanat reassured the public that all samples were collected transparently and would not interfere with the rescue efforts. However, he refrained from making further assumptions about whether the steel was substandard or fake until after the results are reviewed. If the materials are found to be subpar, manufacturers will face penalties, including the suspension of their production or the revocation of their certification.
