DSI to Interrogate Designers of SAO Website
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The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is set to question 40 engineers involved in the construction of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building on Tuesday. This interrogation is part of a broader examination into suspicions of unlawful activities surrounding the project, particularly the alleged use of nominees and bid rigging.
Last month, DSI investigators seized a trove of documents from temporary offices at the construction site in Chatuchak district. These papers contain valuable information, such as blueprints of the building, details on the work done by China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co (CREC) and its subcontractors, and records of the materials used during the project.
According to DSI deputy director-genral, Pol Capt Surawut Rangsai, the engineers under scrutiny include those who worked directly on the building's design, construction, and material procurement.
Pol Capt Surawut noted that the cooperation of the engineers will determine the pace at which the investigation progresses. The preliminary goal is to complete the questioning within four working days.
While the investigation into the alleged use of nominees is approaching completion, the DSI has yet to make any significant headway in their investigation into bid rigging allegations. Pol Capt Surawut expressed confidence that crucial documents necessary for the investigation have not been lost, despite reports of documents being smuggled out of the site following the March 28 earthquake.
Simultaneously, the mission to recover bodies trapped under the rubble persists. As of Sunday evening, rescue workers, aided by heavy machinery, had retrieved 63 bodies, with 31 still missing.
The DSI's inquiry extends beyond the events surrounding the collapsed SAO building. The expanding probe now includes all companies involved in the design, supervision, and construction of the project. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged accelerated efforts to expedite the investigation and overcome any delays caused by debris removal.
As a result of these events, criminal and civil charges will be pursued against any parties found to have violated regulations, including SAO staff if implicated. Additionally, the SAO is terminating its contract with Italian-Thai Development, a process expected to take a year. The Chinese state enterprise connected to the project has approved approximately 120 million Baht ($3.6 million) in compensation for the victims, coordinated through the Justice Ministry of Thailand.
- The DSI's investigation involving the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building has expanded to encompass all companies involved in the project's design, supervision, and construction, as part of a growing probe.
- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is questioning 40 engineers, including those who worked directly on the building's design, construction, and material procurement, as part of an investigation into suspicions of unlawful activities like nominees and bid rigging.
- Simultaneously, the DSI's inquiry into the General News category of crime and justice has progressed, although it has yet to make significant headway in its investigation into bid rigging allegations.
- In the realm of politics, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged accelerated efforts to complete the investigation and overcome any delays resulting from debris removal, with the implication being that any parties found to have violated regulations will face criminal and civil charges, including SAO staff if implicated. Additionally, the SAO is terminating its contract with Italian-Thai Development, a process expected to take a year.
