Following the collapse of a State Audit Office building under construction in Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has ordered urgent safety inspections across Thailand’s railway infrastructure. The directive aims to assess potential risks and ensure passenger safety.
The incident, which occurred on March 29, also saw a construction crane fall onto the roof of a rail switch repair facility operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). As a precaution, the facility has been closed for seven days to allow a forensic investigation. The Ministry of Transport has instructed the SRT to conduct thorough inspections of stations, elevated tracks, and key systems, with a particular focus on the Red Line suburban rail network.
While rail services are expected to resume today, Northern, Northeastern, and Southern trains will temporarily operate from Bang Sue Grand Station, potentially leading to minor delays. The SRT has assured passengers that safety remains the top priority and urges travelers to stay informed through official channels. The SRT Customer Service Center is available 24/7 via hotline 1690 for assistance.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a Thai media crew witnessed an unusual incident at the collapse site. Four men were seen entering a container used as a site office and later emerged carrying 32 folder files. They then left the area, climbing over a wall toward Bang Sue Junction, where a waiting pickup truck was stationed.
Reporters immediately alerted police at the scene, prompting officers from Bang Sue Police Station to intercept the vehicle. Authorities recovered all 32 files, which reportedly contain information related to the construction process, particularly interactions between site contractors and regulators.
At least one of the men identified himself as the director of the site. All four are believed to be employees of a Chinese local contractor. The original contract for the state auditor’s headquarters was approved by the cabinet in 2020 with a budget of ฿2.56 billion.
Suriya, accompanied by SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala, visited the collapse site and extended condolences to those affected. He has directed all relevant agencies to provide necessary support.
