More time needed to pinpoint those responsible for SAO building collapse

In the next week to ten days, police expect to be seeking arrest warrants for those suspected of being responsible for the collapse of the State Audit Office building on March 28, said Pol Lt Gen Somprasong Yentuam, assistant commissioner-general, today.

He said that they may need more than a week, because police must have sufficient evidence to convince a court to issue the arrest warrants, adding that it is not yet known how many people will face arrest.

Somprasong was among senior police officers, including Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, the police commissioner general and director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, who were summoned by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for a meeting this morning at Government House, to provide an update on the investigation into the collapse.

After the meeting, the prime minister told the media that she has instructed all relevant agencies, including the SAO, the Comptroller-General Department, the Meteorological Department and the Natural Resources Department, to cooperate fully with the police investigation.

She said she has told the cabinet that she wants the public to trust and have confidence that the government can bring the culprits to justice.