Mon Mar 31 15:20:11 UTC 2025: ## Four Chinese Nationals Detained After Illegal Entry at Collapsed Bangkok Building Site
**Bangkok, Thailand** – Four Chinese nationals were detained on Sunday for illegally entering the site of a collapsed 30-story building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District. The building, belonging to Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO), crumbled during Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar. The men were apprehended while attempting to retrieve 32 files of documents from the wreckage.
Police Major General Nopasin Poolswat stated that the men, initially claiming to be subcontractors working for a company involved in the construction project, entered the restricted disaster zone without authorization. While one man possessed a valid work permit, all four were later charged with violating a public announcement prohibiting entry to the site. A fifth individual, their employer, is currently under investigation. The confiscated documents included blueprints and other paperwork, reportedly intended for an insurance claim.
The collapsed building, under construction for three years at a cost exceeding two billion baht (£45 million), is the subject of an ongoing investigation into its structural integrity. A Chinese-backed construction firm is being scrutinized for its role in the project. The death toll from the collapse stands at 17, with 32 injured and 76 still missing, mostly construction workers. Search and rescue efforts continue amidst challenging conditions. While Bangkok boasts numerous high-rise constructions, this remains the only major structural failure related to the earthquake. The detained individuals were temporarily released following questioning but will now face legal action.
First Piper 