Audit Office Updates on One-Year Anniversary of Building Collapse, Citing Earthquake Shear Forces as Cause

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has provided an update on the case of the new office building collapse. The investigation revealed the collapse was caused by earthquake shear forces; recently, charges have been filed against 23 individuals involved.

On 22 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted the following developments. The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a progress report on the new OAG office building under construction, which subsided due to earthquake-induced shaking. The report summarized the findings of the fact-finding committee, which included three groups: government and administrative agencies, academic and research institutions, and professional regulatory organizations, along with engineering assessments from four engineering institutes.

The OAG stated that on 30 Jun 2025 GMT+7, the Prime Minister announced the investigation uncovered design and construction flaws in four key areas:

• 1. The collapse began in the lower part of the building, floors 1 to 4, due to shear forces from the earthquake acting on the shear walls, causing structural failure.
  
  
• 2. Average concrete sample tests from the shear walls showed strength below the required standards.
  
  
• 3. Construction detail plans did not comply with applicable laws, resulting in the building’s load capacity being less than legally mandated.
  
  
• 4. The embedded length of reinforcing steel at the connection between the Link Beam and shear walls was less than required by law, weakening the joint area.
  
  

  Regarding legal proceedings and justice processes,

  
  

• 23 defendants have been charged in the Criminal Court, including both legal entities and individuals, on counts of improper design, supervision, and construction leading to fatalities, as well as conspiracy to forge and use forged documents.
  
  
• The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has pursued cases involving nominee arrangements, recommending prosecution which the public prosecutor has accepted. Allegations of state officials’ involvement have been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
  
  
• The NACC is currently reviewing materials received from the DSI and investigators. The OAG has provided requested documents and evidence to the NACC for their examination.
  
  
• The Comptroller General’s Department is auditing compliance with laws on government procurement and asset management. The OAG has responded to inquiries, clarified information, and submitted relevant documents to support this review.