PM says collapse of SAO building has damaged Thailand’s image

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building, noting that this is not just the collapse of a building, but it is also affecting the image of Thailand.

She said she has instructed all government agencies, which have contracts with the Chinese construction company China Railway No 10 Engineering Group (Thailand), to launch investigations to ensure that the projects they are working on are safe and up to standard.

She also said that transnational construction companies undertaking projects in Thailand will, from now on, be under closer

scrutiny, to ensure that they do their jobs properly, with safety as the highest priority.

Government Spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said the prime minister, speaking during the Cabinet meeting today, instructed all ministries to implement preparatory measures to cope with natural disasters, ranging from flooding and wildfires to tsunamis, earthquakes and cybercrime.

The Foreign Ministry, for instance, should seek help and advice from countries which have experience in coping with earthquakes, so that appropriate and effective plans can be drawn up for Thailand.

Additionally, the Education Ministry has been told to develop a survival course, so students can learn how to help themselves and others in the event of future natural and man-made disasters.