Audit Professional Refutes Allegations of Involvement in Collapsed Structure's Blueprint
Fessing Up: Phisit Clears Air on SAO Building Collapse
In the wake of the recent earthquake-triggered collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building, former auditor-general Phisit Leelavachiropas has stepped forward to clarify his involvement in the project.
Phisit, now an adviser to the House Committee on Corruption Prevention and Suppression, admits his role was limited to the selection of the plot during his tenure as auditor-general from 2014-17. The design and contract stages, he asserts, began long after he left office.
Piling questions upon the collapsing structure, public curiosity was sparked by a photo of Phisit with two Chinese businessmen supposedly linked to the project. Phisit refuted any intimate knowledge of these individuals, attributing the encounter to his role in the project when Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co (CREC 10) united under a joint venture to construct the new SAO headquarters.
Reflecting on the project, Phisit acknowledged the absence of regulations back then to prevent the use of nominees in foreign-controlled construction companies. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is currently delving into the shareholding of CREC 10.
Reiterating the importance of transparency, Phisit questioned whether any charges could be brought against the nominees if they were found. Nevertheless, he emphasized the necessity for an in-depth investigation into the money trail behind the project.
Pheu Thai MP and committee chairman, Chalard Khamchuang, has summoned the current Auditor-General, Montien Charoenphol, to explain the situation. In his view, the SAO itself holds the key to the truth, capable of providing answers both publicly and privately with the committee.
Unanswered questions swirl around the project, such as who was involved with contract management. According to Chalard, the committee will focus its investigation on this matter, as well as the quality of construction materials down to the cement mix, and the presence of supervising engineers both physically and in name.
The 30-storey SAO headquarters was the only high-rise to succumb in the March 28 earthquake in Bangkok, claiming the lives of dozens of workers. Rescue operations are still underway, and as of Wednesday, 66 fatalities have been confirmed with nine injuries and 28 persons missing. The fire and rescue department anticipates reaching more areas and discovering more bodies within the next two weeks.
Thitipong Phoprom, head of the SAO project's electrical subcontracting team, has submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice, claiming that 9PK Group — a subcontractor of CREC 10 — owes more than 10 million baht to over 20 subcontractors, including Thitipong himself who is owed 3.8 million baht. Previous attempts to receive proper compensation have reportedly failed.
Perplexities:- The investigation into the SAO building collapse uncovers a complex web of involvement, touching upon contractors, construction materials, and supervising engineers.- Two contractors are under DSI scrutiny for suspected use of nominees, with four contracts being examined for irregularities[1].- Steel quality is a major focus, with Sin Yun Steel (among other companies) under investigation for questionable materials[5].- A senior engineer, Somkiat Chusangsuk, alleges his signature was forged on documents naming him as project supervisor during elevator shaft design modifications[1].- DSI is collaborating with ten foreign specialists, multiple agencies, and organizations like the Department of Public Works, to ascertain whether bid rigging, underbidding, or negligence played a role in the catastrophe[5][1].
- The auditor General, now an adviser, admitted his limited role in the selection of the plot for the SAO building during his tenure, with the design and contract stages starting after he left office.
- In the aftermath of the SaO building collapse, questions have been raised about the subcontractors involved, with one subcontractor, 9PK Group, being accused of owing over 10 million baht to several subcontractors, including Thitipong Phoprom.
- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is currently investigating the use of nominees in foreign-controlled construction companies, such as CREC 10, and is examining four contracts for irregularities.
- The General news and crime-and-justice sectors have been filled with reports of car-accidents, as well as the collapse of the SaO building, with unanswered questions still swirling around the project, including the quality of construction materials and the involvement of supervising engineers.
