Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Sparks Arrests After Earthquake Exposes Faulty Construction

The collapse of a government skyscraper in Bangkok has resulted in 17 arrest warrants, issued in connection to poor construction exposed by a deadly earthquake. The building, meant to house Thailand’s State Audit Office, was reduced to rubble when a 7.7 magnitude quake struck neighboring Myanmar in March, sending powerful tremors across the region and into Thailand.

Authorities have confirmed that those facing arrest include individuals linked to the design, engineering, and supervision of the 30-storey tower. Among the named suspects is Premchai Karnasuta, a former executive at Italian-Thai Development PLC, one of the nation’s most prominent construction companies. The rest of the individuals involved have not yet been identified by name.

At the time of the collapse, more than 400 construction workers were on site. Rescue crews deployed drones, excavators, sniffer dogs, and cranes to search through the debris. So far, 89 bodies have been recovered and seven people remain unaccounted for. The incident has prompted an outcry from the public and calls for improved safety standards.

The tower, made of glass and steel, had been under construction for three years at a cost exceeding two billion baht (approximately $59 million). It stood across from Bangkok’s well-known Chatuchak market. Its complete failure during the tremors, unlike surrounding buildings that sustained no major damage, raised serious red flags about construction quality.

Dramatic footage from the day of the quake showed high-rise buildings in the capital swaying and water cascading from rooftop pools to the streets below. Despite these effects, no other structures suffered total collapse. The exceptional nature of the tower’s destruction has directed attention to possible structural negligence or oversight.

Investigations have uncovered apparent flaws in the building’s lift shaft, which may have contributed to its failure. Thai authorities have yet to release an official report, but preliminary results suggest multiple construction deficiencies. This has stirred debate over the accountability of high-profile construction firms and the oversight mechanisms in place.

The Myanmar earthquake, which killed over 3,000 people and injured more than 4,500, had widespread effects throughout Southeast Asia. The disaster in Bangkok, though physically distant from the quake’s epicenter, has become a tragic symbol of how vulnerable infrastructure can be when engineering standards are compromised.