Probing the Collapse of the State Audit Office Building: Focus on Construction Contracts and Potential Bid-Rigging
Inquiry sessions with construction chief concerning the collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok
The ongoing investigation into the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok, Thailand, zeroes in on the construction contracts and the possibility of bid-rigging. Here's a rundown of the proceedings:
Context
- Collapse Incident: The building, under construction in the Chatuchak district, crumbled on March 28, 2023, due to a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.
- Joint Collaboration: The joint venture managing the project is a combined effort between Thailand's Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group.
Probe Progression
- Official Mandate: Prime Minister Genelvek Shinawatra has called for an immediate investigation, urging all involved agencies to work together and release necessary documents.
- Contract Violations: Reports claim the contractor violated the contract terms without termination up until January 2023, leading to concerns surrounding the project's management.
- Quality of Materials: Tests have shown subpar steel rebars used in the building; however, it's not confirmed whether they caused the collapse.
- SAO's Stance: The auditor-general of the State Audit Office has expressed readiness to accept the investigation's findings. Initially, the auditor-general contended that some criticism faced by the SAO was unfounded.
Ongoing Investigation
- Site Cleanup and Rescue: As of mid-April, the death toll has reached 66, with 31 individuals still unaccounted for. Recovery operations are ongoing, utilizing heavy machinery to navigate through debris, primarily in areas with potential victims.
- Legal Action: Authorities are getting ready to institute legal actions against those who may have committed any wrongdoing, encompassing adherence to procurement laws and construction standards.
Hurdles and Concerns
- Foreign Entities: China's involvement in the Thai construction sector is under fire, with allegations of cost-cutting techniques and questionable practices.
- Transparency and Integrity: The investigation aspires to promote transparency and accountability, dealing with allegations of corruption and bid-rigging in significant construction projects.
The probe encounters hurdles in its mission, from clearing debris to legal outcomes, but wrongdoers will likely be held accountable as the inquiry proceeds.
- The DSI (Department of Special Investigation) is focusing on the investigation of construction contracts and potential bid-routing in the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok, which falls under the category of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- The DSI probe has been mandated by Prime Minister Genelvek Shinawatra, who has urged all involved agencies to collaborate and release necessary documents related to the incident.
- The investigation, amid concerns surrounding project management, has uncovered reports indicating contract violations by the joint venture managing the project, which includes Thailand's Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group.
- The investigation is also scrutinizing the use of subpar steel rebars in the building, signs of which were discovered during tests, although their contribution to the collapse remains uncertain.
