DSI to Interrogate Engineers Behind SAO Online Platform

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Investigators are set to grill 40 engineers connected to the construction of Bangkok's crumbled State Audit Office (SAO) building starting Tuesday. This probing spree is part of a broader investigation into allegations of unlawful nominee arrangements, bid rigging, and documentation irregularities surrounding the project.

The deeper dive into the collapsed structure began last month when DSI investigators nabbed a pile of documents cached in 24 storage containers functioning as temporary offices at the construction site in Chatuchak district. Pol Capt Surawut Rangsai, DSI's deputy director-general, shared that the focus lies on documents featuring blueprints, job details handled by China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co (CREC) and its subcontractors, and the procurement of materials used in the project.

40 engineers have been summoned for questioning, with initial plans to wrap up the question-and-answer sessions in just four days—provided cooperation from the engineers is forthcoming.

Although the inquiry into the misuse of nominees in CREC's operations is nearing completion, the bid-rigging probe hasn't made significant headway thus far. Pol Capt Surawut, however, expressed confidence in the retrieval of critical documents despite rumors circulating about Chinese workers pilfering essential documents from the site immediately post the March 28 earthquake. The smuggling suspects were promptly apprehended by authorities, and the documents are now under their custody. These documents will be scrutinized by experts from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, expediting the investigation.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation to salvage individuals still buried within the debris resumed on Monday. As of Sunday evening, rescue squads, supported by heavy machinery, had recovered 63 bodies, leaving 31 still unaccounted for.

Interestingly, the sordid tale of business nominees, bid rigging, and missing documentation has amalgamated multiple agencies like the DSI, the Comptroller General’s Department, and the Meteorological Department. While the investigation pushes forward, it will yield significant impact—reforming foreign contractor regulations, bolstering building safety protocols, and perhaps uncovering deeper rot within the construction industry.

Enrichment Snippets:

Multiple agencies, including the DSI, Comptroller General's Department, and Meteorological Department, have chimed in with their expertise, aiming to establish the root cause of the catastrophe.
The joint venture between Italian-Thai Development and China Railway No.10 Engineering Group faces allegations of operating through illicit business structures.
The State Audit Office (SAO) had reported that the contractor violated its agreement before the collapse, yet the contract remained active until the incident.
The DSI's investigation is centered around four critical contracts related to structural design, construction supervision, and design modifications.
The collapse, which has claimed 13 lives so far and entombed dozens of migrant workers, marks Thailand's most grave construction failure in recent years, potentially paving the way for revamped industry regulations and enhanced safety measures.

The investigation into the collapse of Bangkok's State Audit Office building has drawn the attention of multiple agencies, such as the DSI, Comptroller General's Department, and Meteorological Department, aiming to find the root cause of the catastrophe.
Apart from the broader investigation, the DSI's focus remains on documents related to the procurement of materials, job details handled by subcontractors, and blueprints from China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) Co.
The investigation into allegations of unlawful nominee arrangements, bid rigging, and documentation irregularities has resulted in the summoning of 40 engineers for questioning, with the intention of completing the question-and-answer sessions in four days.
The inquiry into the misuse of business nominees and bid rigging has shed light on the political landscape of the construction industry, potentially leading to reformed foreign contractor regulations, improved building safety protocols, and uncovering deeper issues within the industry.