Authorities in Thailand have apprehended an executive connected to a Chinese state-owned company involved in the construction of a building that collapsed after an earthquake last month, resulting in numerous fatalities.
Thailand Arrests Executive Linked to Building Collapse After Earthquake
Thailand Arrests Executive Linked to Building Collapse After Earthquake
The arrest of a Chinese national linked to a construction company raises concerns over safety and regulations following a deadly earthquake in Bangkok.
The Thai police arrested a man named Zhang Chuanling in Bangkok on Saturday, following a court-issued arrest warrant for four board members of China Railway 10th (Thailand). Three of these men, all Thai nationals, are reportedly evading capture. They are accused of breaching the Foreign Business Act which restricts foreign ownership of businesses in Thailand to 49 percent. Evidence indicates that this company utilized Thai nationals as fronts for foreign investments.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under increasing pressure to justify the sudden collapse of a 30-story structure meant to house the State Audit Office. She has urged a thorough investigation into all projects with China Railway 10th, which was primarily responsible for constructing the building that fell. The company operates various other projects within Thailand.
The earthquake's epicenter was located more than 600 miles away in Myanmar, yet the building's collapse resulted in a total of 47 confirmed deaths in Thailand, with 47 more presumed dead and missing. Most of the casualties were attributed to this structural failure.
The construction of the tower was a joint venture that included a Thai firm but was predominantly managed by China Railway 10th. Reports from workers indicated that the company was cutting costs, which led to the use of inferior materials and inadequate construction practices. Test results from the site revealed substandard steel bars, and an anti-corruption watchdog had warned about potential irregularities in the construction process.
Zhang Chuanling is listed as a 49 percent shareholder in China Railway 10th (Thailand), though attempts to contact him for comments have been unsuccessful.
Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting from Jakarta. Sui-Lee Wee serves as the Southeast Asia bureau chief for The Times.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under increasing pressure to justify the sudden collapse of a 30-story structure meant to house the State Audit Office. She has urged a thorough investigation into all projects with China Railway 10th, which was primarily responsible for constructing the building that fell. The company operates various other projects within Thailand.
The earthquake's epicenter was located more than 600 miles away in Myanmar, yet the building's collapse resulted in a total of 47 confirmed deaths in Thailand, with 47 more presumed dead and missing. Most of the casualties were attributed to this structural failure.
The construction of the tower was a joint venture that included a Thai firm but was predominantly managed by China Railway 10th. Reports from workers indicated that the company was cutting costs, which led to the use of inferior materials and inadequate construction practices. Test results from the site revealed substandard steel bars, and an anti-corruption watchdog had warned about potential irregularities in the construction process.
Zhang Chuanling is listed as a 49 percent shareholder in China Railway 10th (Thailand), though attempts to contact him for comments have been unsuccessful.
Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting from Jakarta. Sui-Lee Wee serves as the Southeast Asia bureau chief for The Times.
