In a heartbreaking update from Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, rescue workers on Thursday recovered five more bodies from the debris of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building. The high-rise, which crumbled following last month’s powerful earthquake, has now claimed at least 68 lives—with more than two dozen people still missing.
According to authorities, the bodies were found in Zone D of the disaster site on May 1. Rescue teams continue working around the clock, but progress has been slow due to unstable debris and malfunctioning heavy equipment.
The 30-story tower, still under construction, came down on March 28 after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the region. Although the quake struck Myanmar, the impact was felt in Bangkok due to the city’s soft soil—amplifying the seismic waves and triggering the collapse.
The building was only 30% complete when it fell, trapping dozens of workers beneath the wreckage. While some were pulled out alive in the early days of the rescue, hopes have been fading for the remaining missing.
One volunteer on-site described the conditions as “dangerous and heartbreaking,” noting that “many of us know the workers here—we’re not just digging for strangers.”
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched a full-scale probe. Officers have seized 121 boxes of documents from containers near the site, including blueprints, work logs, and financial records—materials that were notably absent from the SAO’s office.
So far, 40 engineers have been summoned for questioning, and authorities are also investigating whether nominee companies were used to secure the construction contract. Officials have not yet commented publicly on the suspected causes.
Why It Matters:
This is one of the deadliest building collapses in recent Thai history. The disaster has sparked urgent discussions about construction oversight, safety standards, and how prepared Bangkok truly is for future seismic events.
The Labor Ministry has pledged financial support for victims’ families. More than 38 million baht has already been disbursed, with compensation of up to 1 million baht available for severe injuries.
Both Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt have visited the scene to monitor rescue efforts and offer condolences to grieving families.
Excavators are continuing to lower the rubble in hopes of reaching basement levels, where many of the remaining victims are believed to be. The work is grueling and dangerous—but teams remain determined.
