Mon Mar 31 13:29:53 UTC 2025: ## Questions Raised After Earthquake Topples Bangkok Skyscraper, Killing 18

**Bangkok, Thailand** – The collapse of a 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok following a major earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 18 lives and left 76 others feared dead in the rubble. The incident has sparked a major investigation focusing on the building’s Chinese-backed contractor, China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd.

The partially built skyscraper, intended to house Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO), was a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and the Chinese firm, which holds a 49% stake. The building, under construction for three years at an estimated cost exceeding 45 million pounds, crumbled during Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake. While other high-rises in Bangkok sustained minimal damage, this building’s complete destruction has raised serious questions about its construction.

A woman whose boyfriend worked as a foreman on the 13th floor and is missing, told NDTV that he had expressed concerns about the quality of building materials used in the project just days before the collapse. She stated that he had even identified a faulty pillar. Rescuers continue their desperate search for survivors amidst the debris.

Adding to the scrutiny, four Chinese nationals were detained on Sunday for illegally entering the site and attempting to remove 32 files of documents. Police Major General Nopasin Poolswat stated that this was a violation of the disaster zone restrictions imposed after the earthquake. Bangkok police acknowledge the Chinese company’s involvement in the construction but insist on a thorough investigation, refusing to prematurely assign blame. The Chinese company reported a net loss in 2023, prompting further examination of its financial stability and practices. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing.

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