The tragic building collapse, resulting in fatalities and widespread damage, sparks scrutiny of Chinese contractor China Railway No. 10.
A deadly incident in Bangkok has brought attention to the collapse of a building under construction, following a powerful earthquake that hit Thailand and Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The site, intended for the Thai government’s state audit office, was being developed by China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, a subsidiary of China Railway, which has since come under heavy scrutiny.
The collapse, which has claimed at least 10 lives, stands out due to the building being the only one in the city to fully collapse. Emergency teams are still searching for survivors, with 78 people still unaccounted for. The structure, standing at over 137 metres tall, was to be China Railway No. 10’s first overseas super high-rise project, and had been widely promoted by the company in 2024.
As rescuers work through the rubble, questions are rising about the construction quality of the building, particularly with concerns over the materials used. The Thai government has launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the steel reinforcement used in the building’s foundation. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has expressed concern over why this particular building was the only one affected, questioning whether it adhered to proper construction standards.
The joint venture between China Railway No. 10 and local developer Italian-Thai Development (ITD) is now facing criticism, especially regarding the Chinese company’s 49% stake in the project. While China Railway No. 10 has distanced itself from the building’s collapse, public anger over Chinese investments in Thailand, particularly after the military-backed administration of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been mounting.
In response, the Thai government has detained four Chinese nationals who were allegedly caught attempting to remove documents from the site, in violation of disaster zone rules. Both China Railway No. 10 and ITD are now under investigation, with both companies committed to fully cooperating with the inquiry.
With the Chinese government’s involvement through the state-owned enterprise, some have called for a more thorough investigation, urging cooperation between both nations to resolve the crisis and address concerns surrounding the rapid increase in Chinese investment in Thailand.
