Thai authorities arrest Chinese construction firm director after Bangkok skyscraper collapse

Thai authorities have arrested a director of a Chinese company involved in the construction of the supposedly earthquake-proof State Audit office building in Bangkok, which collapsed in the wake of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on Mar. 28.

The death toll from the building collapse has risen to 47 as of Apr. 18, with another 47 people missing, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Bangkok Post reported.

The building was contracted to a consortium of Thai company Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and mainland Chinese company China Railway Number 10.

Arrested

Thai media reported that Zhang Chuanling, a director of China Railway Number 10's Thai subsidiary, was arrested in a raid by Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Apr. 19.

Investigators tracked Zhang to a luxury hotel in Bangkok and apprehended him, Khaosod English reported.

Zhang was subsequently taken to DSI headquarters for questioning, and requested an interpreter and a lawyer.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for three Thai nationals who hold shares in the Chinese firm. They are still at large.

Thailand's Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Apr. 19 that preliminary findings revealed that the three Thai men were used as proxy shareholders on behalf of foreign interests, The Nation Thailand reported.

Only building that collapsed in Bangkok

The investigation also uncovered financial records of transactions exceeding 2 billion baht (S$78.6 million) linked to loans involving Chinese executives.

Investigators will look into allegations that the money was used by the Chinese firm to secure the construction contract via a joint venture.

Authorities are also examining allegations of bid rigging and the use of substandard construction materials in the building's construction.

The unfinished State Audit Office building was reportedly the only structure in Bangkok to collapse following the earthquake in Myanmar.

The 30-storey building was also meant to be designed to withstand earthquakes.

A joint investigation by the DSI and the Thai police is ongoing.

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Image from @itswpceo/X & Khaosod English