Thailand investigates Bangkok building collapse after Myanmar earthquake

Thai authorities on Sunday launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse of the 30-storey building in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, following the 7.7-magnitude quake that struck Myanmar two days earlier.

It is the only building in Bangkok that collapsed due to the tremor following the earthquake.

An investigation team from the Ministry of Industry has collected samples of construction materials from the site of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak district, said Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, secretary to Industry Minister Akanat Promphan.

The team is focusing on the quality of steel bars used in fortifying concrete polls, beams and foundation structures in particular, as substandard steel bars could have led to the collapse, said Pongpol.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who is in charge of the government's rescue operation at the site, said an investigation is underway to first determine whether the design met standards.

It would have to be earthquake-resistant as required under law. If the design turns out to be fine, the probe will then focus on other processes involved, he said.

Anutin said both the Thai and Chinese companies in the joint venture comprising Italian-Thai Development Plc and a subsidiary of China Railway No.10 Engineering Group, which was erecting the building, will be fully held accountable for the collapse and its consequences.

He said as the SAO building is the only one in Bangkok which fell when the earthquake struck central Myanmar, with shockwaves sent to Bangkok, any problems with the building will be identified and pinpointed.