Thai-Chinese company denies using unsafe steel in skyscraper collapse investigation

In Thailand, a major disaster occurred following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, resulting in the collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. This incident resulted in the deaths of 47 people and left another 47 missing. The earthquake originated more than 800 miles away in Myanmar, where over 3,700 people were killed. Authorities launched an investigation into the construction practices of the involved contractors, specifically focusing on Xin Ke Yuan Steel and another Chinese firm. These companies are under scrutiny for allegedly providing substandard steel rods and for potentially operating in violation of Thai business ownership laws. The investigation into Xin Ke Yuan Steel intensified following a complaint from a Thai engineer, who claimed his name was forged in project documentation. Investigators are also examining the qualifications of the construction materials used and whether any fraudulent activities occurred during the bidding process. Meanwhile, the company’s operating license had already been suspended due to a previous fire incident in its factory located in Rayong province. Within the context of this ongoing investigation, Xin Ke Yuan has maintained that they complied with all safety standards regarding their steel rods, which are crucial for construction integrity. The Thai authorities reported that two types of steel rods sourced from Xin Ke Yuan, which were identified at the site of the collapse, failed safety inspections. The Minister of Industry, Akanat Promphan, confirmed that these findings prompted a factory raid on April 11, where additional evidence was gathered. Xin Ke Yuan's legal team held a press conference denying the test results, insisting that their products were safe, while declining to address the specific findings relating to the steel rods discovered at the accident scene. Further complicating matters, the Revenue Department of Thailand filed a complaint against the company for allegedly generating over 7,000 false tax invoices. As the investigation progresses, the company continues to assert its innocence in all matters raised. The search for missing workers from the collapse remains ongoing, reflecting the tragic consequences of the event and the challenges faced by various stakeholders in unraveling the truth behind the incident.