Tragedy in Bangkok: Thai Construction Tycoon, Engineers Face Charges After Deadly Quake Collapse

The collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok—intended to house Thailand’s State Audit Office—has triggered a criminal investigation and public outrage after it became the only structure in the country to fall during the powerful earthquake that struck neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The collapse killed 92 people, left many more injured, and has led to criminal charges against some of Thailand’s most prominent construction and engineering figures.

Among those facing charges is Premchai Karnasuta, president of the Italian-Thai Development Co., one of Thailand’s largest construction firms. On Friday, Premchai, along with 16 other individuals including engineers, designers, and builders, surrendered to authorities after the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for all 17. The group is charged with “professional negligence causing death”, a serious offence under Thai law that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

The Collapse: A Lone Tragedy in Thailand

While the earthquake devastated large swaths of central Myanmar—killing more than 3,700 people and leveling buildings in Mandalay and Naypyitaw—Thailand largely escaped physical damage, with one horrific exception. The under-construction State Audit Office building in Bangkok crumbled in the tremor, becoming the sole structure in the country to fall.

The collapse was swift and catastrophic. Rescue teams pulled dozens of bodies from the wreckage in the days that followed, while a few individuals remained unaccounted for. Though rescue operations have since concluded, forensic teams continue working to identify the remains of those killed through DNA analysis.

The tragedy has shaken public confidence in Thailand’s construction industry, especially in large-scale infrastructure projects where safety standards are assumed to be non-negotiable.

Investigations Reveal Shocking Irregularities

According to Deputy Police Chief Noppasin Poonsawat, evidence gathered from expert analyses points to gross construction defects. Authorities found that the building did not meet basic structural standards or building codes. Investigators uncovered serious flaws in the core lift shaft, as well as the use of substandard concrete and steel—both of which likely contributed to the failure of the structure during the earthquake.

Daily reports in Thai media have highlighted dubious documentation, lack of regulatory oversight, and potential corruption in the approval and construction process. A major focus of the investigation has been the joint venture between Italian-Thai Development and China Railway No. 10, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned enterprise known for participating in international infrastructure projects.

One of the joint venture’s executives, Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese national, was also among those charged. Zhang had previously been arrested on separate allegations of violating Thai business law, including accusations of using Thai proxy shareholders to circumvent legal restrictions on foreign ownership. Three Thai nationals were also detained in that case.

Denials and a Familiar Name in Controversy

At a press briefing on Friday, Deputy Chief Noppasin confirmed that all 15 individuals who turned themselves in had formally denied the charges. The remaining two individuals named in the arrest warrants were expected to report to police later.

This is not Premchai Karnasuta’s first time in legal trouble. He became a notorious figure in 2019 after being convicted in a high-profile wildlife poaching case. Authorities found him and his group in a wildlife sanctuary in possession of several protected animal carcasses, including that of a black panther, which had been skinned and cooked. Premchai served nearly three years in prison for that crime.

His return to the national spotlight under such grim circumstances has further ignited public anger. Activists and critics argue that Premchai’s ability to return to business as usual after his previous conviction reflects deep systemic issues in Thai governance and corporate accountability.

A National Reckoning on Safety and Accountability

As Thailand mourns the 92 lives lost in the collapse, the incident is becoming a symbol of the urgent need for stricter building regulations, greater transparency in public-private partnerships, and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

While Premchai and others maintain their innocence, the scope of the alleged negligence—and the scale of the resulting tragedy—has triggered a broader public reckoning. There are growing calls for a parliamentary inquiry, a reform of construction oversight laws, and an independent review of all major infrastructure projects currently underway in the country.

In the meantime, grieving families wait for justice, hoping that those responsible for the fatal errors that turned a state office project into a mass grave will be held accountable—not just in court, but in the eyes of the public.

As investigations continue, one thing is clear: this was not just an act of nature. It was a man-made disaster, born from a chain of decisions that may now define a turning point for Thailand’s construction industry—and its legal system.