From Sankei Shimbun
Thailand Investigates Suspected Use of Substandard Rebar in Collapsed Building Constructed by Chinese Company
March 31, 2025, 17:31 JST
Authorities in Thailand have launched an investigation into the possible use of low-quality rebar that did not meet legal standards in a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, which collapsed following an earthquake centered in central Myanmar. Thai media reported the news on March 31.
The building, approximately 30 stories tall, was being constructed by a Chinese state-owned general contractor and was near completion.
Immediately after the earthquake struck on March 28, the entire structure collapsed vertically all at once.
Thai authorities suspect that the steel reinforcement used in the building’s foundation, columns, and beams may have been a contributing factor, and are now inspecting the quality of the materials.
On March 30, Thai police detained several Chinese men suspected of removing documents from a temporary office near the site of the collapse. The documents were confiscated. Authorities believe there may have been an attempt to conceal information related to the construction of the building. (Kyodo News)
From Nikkei Shimbun
Chinese National Arrested in Thailand over Collapsed Building—Suspected Involvement in Use of Illegal Rebar
April 20, 2025
(Bangkok – Kyodo News)
On April 19, Thai investigators arrested a Chinese executive from China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group (CR10), a state-owned enterprise, in connection with the collapse of a building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. The building collapsed following a powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar.
Arrest warrants have also been issued for three Thai individuals involved in the project. Authorities suspect that unauthorized, substandard rebar was used in the construction and are investigating the possible involvement of the Chinese executive and others.
The building collapsed shortly after the March 28 earthquake. More than 40 construction workers were killed, and many others remain missing. While many buildings in Bangkok suffered wall damage and cracks, this was the only structure to completely collapse.
The arrested Chinese executive is accused of fraudulently using the name of a Thai national to manage the local subsidiary of CR10, thereby violating Thailand’s restrictions on foreign ownership of corporate shares.
The construction was contracted to a joint venture between China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group and Italian-Thai Development, a major Thai construction company.
On April 18, Thai investigators conducted a search of related sites and seized documents, including construction logs.
Comment by Ryūshō Kadota (@KadotaRyusho)
“A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand collapsed during the massive earthquake originating in Myanmar. More than 40 construction workers were killed, with many still missing.
Thai authorities, investigating suspected construction fraud, have finally arrested a Chinese executive of the contractor China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group.
Another sigh for a country that continues to spread misery around the world.”
