Thai Builder Surrenders Over Deadly Building Collapse

Seventeen individuals including a prominent Thai construction magnate surrendered to police on criminal negligence charges in connection with the fatal collapse of a Bangkok high-rise during the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, Jintamas Saksornchai reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The building, intended to house Thailand’s new State Audit Office, was the only one in the country to collapse during the quake. I Photo: Italian-Thai Development Co. LinkedIn

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Co., and several engineers and designers are among those charged with professional negligence causing death.

Ninety-two people were confirmed dead, with others still missing.

The building, intended to house Thailand’s new State Audit Office, was the only one in the country to collapse during the quake. Search operations have ended, but DNA identification of remains continues.

Premchai previously served three years in prison for a high-profile 2018 poaching case involving a black panther and other protected wildlife.