A Chinese executive has been arrested in Thailand following a tragic building collapse linked to a recent earthquake, as investigations reveal potential violations of local business laws and construction standards.
Thai Authorities Detain Executive Linked to Building Collapse Post-Earthquake
Thai Authorities Detain Executive Linked to Building Collapse Post-Earthquake
In the wake of a devastating earthquake in Thailand, officials arrest a Chinese executive connected to the collapsed Bangkok building, prompting a deeper investigation into building practices.
The authorities in Thailand have detained a Chinese national associated with the company responsible for building a structure that collapsed during last month’s earthquake, resulting in numerous fatalities. The individual, identified only by the surname Zhang, was arrested in Bangkok on Saturday after a court issued warrants for him and three other board members of a Chinese state-owned firm known as China Railway 10th (Thailand).
Zhang Chuanling, who works for a subsidiary of the aforementioned company, is currently in custody facing charges related to the violations of the Foreign Business Act, which prohibits foreigners from owning more than 49% of a business. Investigators have indicated credible evidence that the company employed local Thai individuals as frontmen for more foreign investments.
The collapse of a 30-story building under construction, designated to host the State Audit Office, has triggered significant scrutiny upon the construction project and the involved firms. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded to intense public pressure by demanding an exhaustive investigation into all projects managed by China Railway 10th in Thailand, which is already engaged in a number of other large-scale undertakings.
The incident has raised eyebrows partly due to the earthquake's epicenter being over 600 miles away in Myanmar. The disaster, which took place on March 28, resulted in 47 confirmed deaths in Thailand, with an additional 47 individuals unaccounted for and presumed dead, predominantly due to the building's collapse.
Reports from construction workers suggest that China Railway 10th may have engaged in underpaying contractors which led to the use of inferior quality materials and inadequate structural specifications. Testing conducted by Thai officials revealed substandard steel bars in the wreckage, which originated from a Thai factory that had previously been shut down for violations.
Zhang Chuanling is registered as a shareholder in the Thai firm, owning 49% of its shares, although attempts to contact him for comments have failed. The Thai public and institutions continue to call for accountability and transparency regarding not only this incident but broader safety concerns in the realm of construction practices within the country.
Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting from Jakarta, and Sui-Lee Wee serves as the Southeast Asia bureau chief overseeing coverage across 11 nations in the region.
Zhang Chuanling, who works for a subsidiary of the aforementioned company, is currently in custody facing charges related to the violations of the Foreign Business Act, which prohibits foreigners from owning more than 49% of a business. Investigators have indicated credible evidence that the company employed local Thai individuals as frontmen for more foreign investments.
The collapse of a 30-story building under construction, designated to host the State Audit Office, has triggered significant scrutiny upon the construction project and the involved firms. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded to intense public pressure by demanding an exhaustive investigation into all projects managed by China Railway 10th in Thailand, which is already engaged in a number of other large-scale undertakings.
The incident has raised eyebrows partly due to the earthquake's epicenter being over 600 miles away in Myanmar. The disaster, which took place on March 28, resulted in 47 confirmed deaths in Thailand, with an additional 47 individuals unaccounted for and presumed dead, predominantly due to the building's collapse.
Reports from construction workers suggest that China Railway 10th may have engaged in underpaying contractors which led to the use of inferior quality materials and inadequate structural specifications. Testing conducted by Thai officials revealed substandard steel bars in the wreckage, which originated from a Thai factory that had previously been shut down for violations.
Zhang Chuanling is registered as a shareholder in the Thai firm, owning 49% of its shares, although attempts to contact him for comments have failed. The Thai public and institutions continue to call for accountability and transparency regarding not only this incident but broader safety concerns in the realm of construction practices within the country.
Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting from Jakarta, and Sui-Lee Wee serves as the Southeast Asia bureau chief overseeing coverage across 11 nations in the region.
