Bangkok's Shaky Skyscrapers: Lessons from a Collapsed Tower

A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok crumbled during a recent earthquake. This event has sparked a critical review of the city's construction safety rules. The 30-story State Audit Office building, near the bustling Chatuchak Market, is now a pile of rubble. Rescue efforts are underway, with heavy machinery clearing debris in hopes of finding survivors among the 78 people still unaccounted for. The earthquake, measuring 7. 7 on the Richter scale, struck over 800 miles away but caused significant damage in Bangkok. Over 1, 700 people lost their lives in Myanmar, and at least 18 in Thailand, with most of the Thai casualties occurring at the construction site. This event has raised serious questions about the safety of Bangkok's numerous high-rise buildings. Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site, emphasizing the importance of finding the root cause of the collapse. He stressed the need to learn from this tragedy to improve building regulations and ensure the safety of millions who live and work in the city's skyscrapers. The governor's words highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of construction safety codes. The property developer handling the project, Italian Thai Development, saw its shares plummet by 27% as questions about the building's design and construction quality surfaced. The construction company, a subsidiary of state-run China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, had previously boasted about the project's quality in an online video. This raises concerns about the reliability of such claims and the need for independent verification. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an investigation into the collapse, focusing on the designer, inspectors, or builders. He assured the public that the investigation would be scientific and thorough. This investigation is crucial for understanding what went wrong and preventing similar incidents in the future. Bangkok's unique geography makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. Built on unstable alluvial soil near the Chao Phraya River, the city's skyscrapers can amplify ground motion. The city has been sinking due to the weight of its buildings, leading to restrictions on groundwater use to reduce subsidence. This geological context adds another layer of complexity to the city's construction challenges. The earthquake also highlighted the city's preparedness for such events. Many residents fled their homes and offices, waiting for hours in the heat to check on their safety. This mass exodus underscores the need for better emergency protocols and public awareness. The brief panic caused by an aftershock warning further emphasizes the importance of clear communication and preparedness. The collapse of the State Audit Office building is not an isolated incident. Earlier, parts of a highway under construction collapsed, killing several workers. This raises concerns about the enforcement of safety and quality standards in Bangkok's construction industry. The use of substandard materials, such as low-quality steel rods in concrete slabs, could be a contributing factor. The city's building standards have been revised to include earthquake safety requirements. However, many structures were built before these revisions. This means that a significant portion of Bangkok's buildings may not meet current safety standards. The Thailand Structural Engineers Association is recruiting volunteers to inspect properties and determine the extent of the damage.