Auditor-General Sued by TV Hosts Over Unspecified Issue
Two TV hosts, Damrong Phuttan and Narakorn Tiyayon, have taken a bold step by filing a police complaint against Auditor-General Montien Charoenphol, and a former auditor-general, Prachak Boonyang, over the disastrous collapse of the State Auditor Office's (SAO) 2.1-billion-baht building on March 28. The duo claims carelessness leading to loss of life and dereliction of duty by these dignitaries.
The complaint was lodged at Bang Sue police station, alleging that despite more than 30 days passing since the incident, Mr. Montien has failed to offer an apology or show responsibility. Mr. Damrong expressed his dismay over the wasted 2.1 billion baht of taxpayers' money due to the building collapse. He urged pertinent officials to own up to their responsibilities.
Rescuers discovered 13 more bodies from the wreckage, raising the death toll to 74. confirming nine injuries and leaving around 20 people unaccounted for. The newly discovered bodies were found in Zone D using heavy machinery, with some additional remains and minor body parts detected, amounting to 41 cases in the area. Accessing Zone C has been a challenge due to its height of four metres and concerns about the building's structural instability. It's suspected that the third-floor walkway collapsed into a deeper area below, potentially containing more victims.
In response to the investigations, efforts have been made to secure the elevator shafts, which are suspected to be the starting point of the collapse. Despite the areas being thinner than usual, engineers from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning are assessing the walls and elevator shafts for evidence.
The collapse highlights questionable practices in the construction industry, as the disaster has unveiled significant irregularities. Multiple investigations are underway involving the ITD-Crec Joint Venture, which was awarded the contract, and questions arise over potential proxy shareholders, financial transactions, design changes, the use of substandard concrete, and suspected bidding collusion.
As the DSI prepares to question representatives from ITD, Crec 10, and rival bidders between April 18 and May 15, engineers continue their structural assessment of the debris, hoping to unearth the truth and ensure justice for those affected by this catastrophe.
- "The auditor-general, Montien Charoenphol, and the former auditor-general, Prachak Boonyang, are facing a police complaint from TV hosts Damrong Phuttan and Narakorn Tiyayon regarding the collapse of the State Auditor Office's (SAO) building,"
- "Damrong Phuttan expressed his dismay over the wasted 2.1 billion baht of taxpayers' money due to the building collapse, urging pertinent officials to own up to their responsibilities,"
- "In the aftermath of the investigations, efforts have been made to secure the elevator shafts, which are suspected to be the starting point of the collapse, potentially implicating the ITD-Crec Joint Venture in questionable practices,"
- "As the DSI prepares to question representatives from ITD, Crec 10, and rival bidders, the collapse highlights questionable practices in the construction industry, shedding light on potential proxy shareholders, financial transactions, design changes, the use of substandard concrete, and suspected bidding collusion."
