Lagatar24 Desk
Bangkok: The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that devastated Myanmar on Friday has triggered a major disaster over 1,000 km away in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where a 33-storey under-construction skyscraper collapsed, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens more. The incident has sparked widespread shock, prompting the Thai government to initiate a high-level investigation.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site on Saturday, announced the formation of a seven-day probe committee to investigate possible causes, including faulty construction, poor materials, or flawed engineering design.
Chinese Firm Under the Lens
The high-rise building was being constructed as the future headquarters of Thailand’s State Audit Office at a reported cost of over 2 billion baht (approximately $58 million). It was being developed by a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group.
Thai media reports indicate the Chinese partner holds a 49% stake, the highest permitted for a foreign entity under Thai law. The company, established in 2018, has a mixed financial record, with a net loss of nearly 200 million baht in 2023.
“Something Definitely Wrong” – Structural Concerns Raised
Civil engineer and Democrat Party politician Prof. Suchatchavee Suwansawas told The Telegraph UK that the rapid collapse pointed to serious design or construction flaws, especially since nearby structures remained intact.
Experts also suspect the “flat slab” construction method, often used for its cost efficiency, may have compromised seismic resilience. Dr. Christian Málaga-Chuquitaype from Imperial College London likened the method to “a table supported only by legs, without horizontal beams,” which can fail suddenly during quakes.
Soil, Shock and Shaking – Why Bangkok Was Hit So Hard
Although the epicentre was in Myanmar, Bangkok experienced severe tremors due to the quake’s shallow depth (10 km)and the linear nature of the Sagaing Fault, which channels seismic energy along its 1,200 km length. Bangkok’s soft alluvial soil worsened the effects by amplifying vibrations three to four times, said experts.
Toll and Rescue Operations
Authorities confirmed 18 deaths, 33 injuries, and 78 people still missing, most of whom were construction workers at the collapse site. Rescue teams and dogs are racing against the clock to find survivors under tons of concrete and steel.
Thermal drones have picked up heat signatures suggesting at least 15 people may still be alive beneath the rubble.
Myanmar Death Toll Surpasses 1,700
In Myanmar, the same earthquake has claimed around 1,700 lives, injured over 3,400, and left more than 300 missing, as per latest updates on Sunday.
Future in Focus: Time to Rethink Building Norms
Experts warn that despite Thailand’s laws mandating earthquake-resistant designs in 43 provinces, less than 10% of buildings meet the required standards. With a rising number of tremors in the region, authorities may be compelled to revisit and strengthen construction norms, especially in urban hubs like Bangkok.
