Sophon explained the inspection results regarding the dining hall ceiling panels in the Parliament building detaching. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning confirmed that the building's structure and ceiling suspension system remain strong. They pointed out the cause as water dripping from air conditioning pipes, denying any relation to warranty expiration, and emphasized "100 percent confidence" that the building is safe.
On 15 September 2026 at the Parliament building, Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke about the investigation into the incident where two ceiling panels fell in the dining hall on B2 floor of the Parliament building on 13 September. This followed an on-site visit and problem-solving session with engineers from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning the previous day.
Sophon said the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning found that the structure and ceiling suspension system remain solid. The incident occurred near an air conditioning duct where the ceiling uses smartboard panels. During the past week, meetings were held continuously with air conditioning running for extended periods. When the air conditioning was turned off, condensation formed, causing water to drip onto the panels, leading to moisture accumulation, swelling, and eventual detachment.
Additionally, the department explained that the screws holding the ceiling panels were small, similar to nail heads, increasing the chance of panels detaching. They recommended switching to screws with larger heads to improve support. They stressed the problem was due to moisture affecting the smartboard panels and was not caused by the building's structural elements.
Regarding future repairs, Sophon said they will increase monitoring of the air conditioning duct lines as advised by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. Other areas have no issues. He noted that all buildings require maintenance and repairs over time, and the Parliament building is no exception; it must be properly maintained to ensure safety.
Responding to criticism that the incident occurred after the warranty period ended, Sophon stated this was unrelated. It is a matter of normal wear and tear, with a clear engineering explanation for the cause.
When asked about the confidence of officials, staff, and visitors in the Parliament building's safety following concerns, Sophon immediately replied, “Oh, I have 100 percent confidence. I also eat here. I am 100 percent confident. There's nothing to worry about. We shouldn't overreact; that would hinder operations.”
Sophon added that the Speaker of Parliament and the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives are responsible for managing the office and ensuring safety. He reaffirmed that “Everything meets standards, but the issue arose from usage. That is what the Department of Public Works said, not just my words.”