Bangkok authorities have arrested a Chinese executive linked to a skyscraper that collapsed during a powerful earthquake on March 28. The disaster killed 47 people and left 47 more missing, reported by NDTV.
The 30-story high-rise was still under construction when the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, centered in Myanmar, shook parts of Thailand. The building crumbled in seconds, covering the area in dust and trapping workers under the rubble. It was the only major building in Bangkok to collapse during the quake, which killed over 3,700 people across Thailand and Myanmar.
Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong announced that arrest warrants had been issued for four people—three Thai nationals and one Chinese national—for violating the Foreign Business Act. This law limits foreign ownership in Thai companies to no more than 49%.
The Chinese man, identified as Zhang, is a representative of China Railway No.10, the company building the tower in partnership with an Italian-Thai firm. Zhang was arrested on charges of holding shares illegally through Thai citizens who were allegedly acting as nominees.
Officials also revealed that fake engineer signatures may have been used on safety documents and that some of the construction materials, including steel used to support concrete, were below standard.
Zhang is the only person arrested so far, while investigations into the collapse continue. Authorities are also looking into possible corruption, including rigged bids for the construction contract.
Earlier, four other Chinese nationals were caught trying to enter the disaster site illegally, possibly to recover documents.
This tragic collapse has raised serious questions about construction safety, foreign business practices, and corruption in Thailand’s building industry.
