Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse After Myanmar Quake Sparks Probe Into China-Linked Project

Thailand’s deputy PM orders urgent investigation into 33-storey tower collapse built by Chinese-Thai joint venture; experts blame poor design, soft soil, and quake shockwaves.

March 31, 2025: Bangkok – The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has had tragic repercussions over 1,000 kilometers away in Bangkok, Thailand, where a 33-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens more.

Also Read: Myanmar Earthquake Tragedy: Death Toll Crosses 1,700, Fears Mount of 10,000+ Fatalities

The high-rise structure, located near Chatuchak market, was reportedly being developed as the new State Audit Office headquarters through a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of a major Chinese engineering firm.

Also Read: Operation Brahma: Indian Navy Dispatches More Relief Ships to Earthquake-Hit Myanmar

Following the disaster, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site and immediately called for a high-level investigation, giving officials seven days to determine the cause of the collapse.

“I am appointing the investigation committee. I have given them seven days to report back,” said Anutin.

🚨 ‘Something Definitely Wrong’

Civil engineer and politician Prof. Suchatchavee Suwansawas expressed serious concerns, stating that other nearby skyscrapers withstood the tremors. “Either the design or the construction went wrong,” he told The Telegraph UK, suggesting a major structural flaw.

Also Read: Why Myanmar’s Earthquake Was So Catastrophic: Scientists Explain the Seismic Forces

Experts now believe that the combination of shallow earthquake depth (10 km) and Bangkok’s soft soil, which amplifies seismic waves, intensified the collapse. Structural engineers also pointed to the “flat slab” technique used in the building—where floors rest directly on columns without beams—as a likely weak point.

“This design can fail suddenly during strong earthquakes,” said Dr. Christian Málaga-Chuquitaype of Imperial College London.

🏗️ China Firm Under Scrutiny

According to The Telegraph, China Railway Number 10 Thailand held a 49% stake, the maximum allowed for foreign firms in Thai ventures. The company has been operating since 2018 and faced financial troubles, reporting a net loss in 2023.

Thailand’s Ministry of Industry has dispatched a team to examine whether substandard steel or engineering errors played a role in the collapse.

🆘 Rescue Race and Emotional Toll

Rescue teams, aided by thermal drones and K9 units, are racing against time to locate 78 missing workers. So far, eight bodies have been pulled from the rubble.

Local resident Pat Kongporn, whose parents are believed trapped, said she would remain on-site “until we know whether they are alive or gone.”

Thermal scans suggest at least 15 people may still be alive, but hope is fading as time runs out.

🌍 How Myanmar’s Quake Shook Bangkok

Experts say the fault line responsible for the Myanmar quake extends 1,200 km south, directly impacting Thailand. The energy from the quake traveled along a straight fault line, making the ground shaking in Bangkok even more intense due to the city’s geological makeup.

“It was like the force of 334 atomic bombs,” said a Thai geologist.

Despite building codes mandating earthquake resistance in 43 provinces, only 10% of structures are estimated to comply, according to Prof. Amorn Pimarnmas.

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Bangkok skyscraper collapse, Myanmar earthquake, Thailand building collapse, China Railway Number 10, Harshquake impact Bangkok, earthquake engineering, Anutin Charnvirakul, Myanmar tremor, Thailand rescue, soft soil seismic impact, building safety probe, flat slab collapse