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Imminent Arrests Scheduled for Three Different Groups of Suspects Next Week

Next week, anticipated arrest warrants for three distinct groups of individuals are set to be issued, as they stand accused of contributing to the collapse of the State Audit Office's (SAO) building under construction, which occurred during the March 28 earthquake.

,   and  ASMedia
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Authorities plan to issue arrest warrants next week for three sets of individuals accused of...
Authorities plan to issue arrest warrants next week for three sets of individuals accused of playing a role in the collapse of the State Audit Office's (SAO) building under construction during the March 28 earthquake.

Report on the Investigation of the State Audit Office's Building Collapse

Imminent Arrests Scheduled for Three Different Groups of Suspects Next Week

Here's the lowdown on the ongoing investigation into the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office's (SAO) under-construction building during the earthquake on March 28.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau is gearing up to issue arrest warrants for three main groups of suspects allegedly involved in the disaster. This includes design, construction, and supervision teams, as well as potential officials from the Auditor General's office facing misconduct charges.

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Poolsawat, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, investigators have spoken to 193 witnesses, ranging from SAO officials and friends and family of the injured, to the building's designers, construction supervisors, and laborers.

Evidence-gathering has been extensive, encompassing witness testimonies, circumstantial evidence, physical evidence, and documentation. This includes drafting of terms of reference (TOR), contracts for design, supervision, and construction, and material evidence such as steel and concrete fragments.

The investigation spotlight is on three main groups:

  1. Design Team: The accused are directors and engineers associated with Forum Architect and Meinhardt (Thailand). Their potential culpability lies in any design flaws that may have caused the building to crumble.
  2. Construction Team: This group comprises directors and engineers linked to ITD-CREC, a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand). Under scrutiny are any construction-related instances that led to the building's collapse.
  3. Construction Supervision Team: This team, consisting of directors and engineers associated with PKW, a joint venture between PN Synchronize, KP Consultants and Management, and W and Associates Consultants, is being investigated for any negligence or oversight during construction supervision.

Pol Maj Gen Noppasin emphasized that the design blueprint for the 30-storey building was subjected to assessment by the Council of Engineers, the Engineering Institute of Thailand, and engineering experts at Chulalongkorn University. The verdict on whether it adhered to engineering and architectural standards, construction principles, and relevant ministerial regulations is due next week.

As of now, investigators have amassed 315 pieces of material evidence from the site, including samples of steel and concrete. Preliminary analysis of these samples is complete, with detailed results expected in the coming days. Additionally, alterations were made to the elevator design during construction.

Currently, at least 30 forged engineers' signatures have been uncovered, and the death toll is predicted to reach around 100 people. The possibility of additional charges against officials from the Auditor General's office is under deliberation as the investigation presses forward, with rescue and forensic work scheduled to wind up by the end of the month.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing situation.

  1. The ongoing investigation into thecollapse of the State Audit Office's (SAO)under-construction building during the earthquake on March 28, spearheaded by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, is focusing on three main groups: the Design Team, Construction Team, and Construction Supervision Team.
  2. The Design Team, accused of potential design flaws that might have caused the building to crumble, includes directors and engineers associated with Forum Architect and Meinhardt (Thailand).
  3. The Construction Team, which is under scrutiny for any construction-related instances that led to the building's collapse, comprises directors and engineers linked to ITD-CREC, a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand).
  4. Meanwhile, the Construction Supervision Team, consisting of directors and engineers associated with PKW, a joint venture between PN Synchronize, KP Consultants and Management, and W and Associates Consultants, is being investigated for any negligence or oversight during construction supervision.

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