OAG Updates One Year After Building Collapse, Citing Subsidence Caused by Earthquake Shear Forces

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) provides an update on the case of the new office building collapse. Investigation results reveal the collapse was caused by earthquake shear forces; recently, charges were filed against 23 individuals involved.

On 22 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a progress report on the new OAG office building's subsidence during construction, attributing it to seismic shaking from an earthquake. The investigation summary by the fact-finding committee involved three groups: government agencies and administration, academic and research institutions, and professional regulatory organizations, along with structural assessments from four engineering institutes.

The OAG stated that on 30 Jun 2025 GMT+7, the Prime Minister announced findings of design and construction defects in four areas as follows.

• 1. The collapse began at the lower parts of the building, floors 1-4, due to shear forces from the earthquake acting on shear walls causing failure.
  
  
• 2. Average concrete sample tests from shear walls were below the required standards.
  
  
• 3. Construction detail plans did not comply with applicable laws, resulting in the building having less load-bearing capacity than legally required.
  
  
• 4. The embedment length of reinforcing steel at the connection between the Link Beam and shear wall was shorter than required by law, weakening that joint area.
  
  

  Regarding legal proceedings and justice processes,

  
  

• Charges have been filed against 23 defendants in criminal court, including both legal entities and individuals, for designing, supervising, and constructing contrary to standards causing fatalities, as well as forgery and use of forged documents.
  
  
• The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is prosecuting nominee-related cases, having recommended charges to the prosecutor who has proceeded; allegations involving government officials have been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
  
  
• The National Anti-Corruption Commission has received the case files from the DSI and investigators for review. The OAG has submitted all requested documents and evidence to support this process.
  
  
• The Comptroller General’s Department is reviewing compliance with procurement and public asset management laws. The OAG has responded to inquiries and provided relevant documents to facilitate the review.