Advertisement

Bangkok Building Collapse Sparks Outrage and Questions Over Chinese Investment in Thailand

A devastating building collapse in Bangkok on March 29, 2025, following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar and Thailand the previous day, has left 12 dead and 75 unaccounted for, while igniting fierce public debate over construction quality, government contracts, and the growing influence of Chinese investment in Thailand. The under-construction skyscraper, intended to house the Thai government’s state audit office, was a joint venture between local developer Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, a state-owned Chinese contractor. As rescue operations continue, the incident has become a focal point for broader concerns about transparency and accountability in Thailand’s infrastructure projects.

Tragedy Amid Regional Devastation

The collapse occurred just a day after the earthquake, which caused far greater destruction in Myanmar, where over 2,000 deaths have been reported. Yet, the Bangkok incident has captured significant attention due to its location opposite the bustling Chatuchak Market, where dramatic footage of the crumbling structure was widely shared online. Of the 19 confirmed deaths across Thailand attributed to the quake, 12 were at this site, with emergency responders still searching for survivors among the estimated 75 individuals unaccounted for. The building, over 30 stories and 137 meters tall, was the only structure in the metropolis to completely collapse, raising immediate questions about its structural integrity.

A Symbol of Chinese Investment Under Scrutiny

The project, heralded by China Railway No. 10 as its “calling card” in Thailand through promotional materials on social media platforms like Douyin and WeChat in 2024, has now become a lightning rod for criticism. The company, a junior partner in a joint venture with ITD, holds a 49 percent stake through its Thai subsidiary in the ITD-CREC partnership, the maximum foreign ownership generally allowed under Thai law. While ITD, a prominent local developer with a history of major projects like Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, is also involved, much of the public anger has focused on China Railway No. 10. Online discussions and Thai national media have questioned the quality of construction and the due process behind awarding such contracts to foreign entities, particularly under the administration of former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led the country from 2014 to 2023 following a military coup.

China’s role in Thailand’s economy has grown significantly in recent years, with the country accounting for a quarter of total foreign direct investment in 2023, according to the Thai Board of Investment. High-profile projects, including the Thai-Chinese Rayong industrial cluster and a high-speed rail link under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, have underscored Beijing’s influence. However, the building collapse has amplified underlying tensions over this influx of investment, with some critics pointing to a lack of oversight in contracts awarded to Chinese firms. Adding to the unease, the disaster follows Bangkok’s controversial decision a month earlier to deport 40 Uighurs at China’s request, a move criticized by human rights groups.

Government Response and Investigations

In the wake of the collapse, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the formation of an expert committee to investigate the incident, publicly questioning why this building alone failed so catastrophically. “This matter will not be ignored” she stated on March 30, signaling a commitment to accountability. The Ministry of Industry has begun examining construction materials from the site, focusing on the quality of steel bars used in the concrete and foundation structures. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, overseeing rescue efforts, emphasized that both Thai and Chinese companies involved would face scrutiny and be held accountable for any lapses.

Further complicating the situation, police detained four Chinese nationals on March 30 for allegedly attempting to remove 32 files of documents from the collapse site in violation of an exclusion order. Local media published images of the men handling large binders, and district authorities have filed legal complaints against them and their employer, a fifth individual. While the contents of the documents remain unclear, the incident has fueled speculation about potential efforts to obscure critical information, though no evidence has confirmed such intent at this stage.

Corporate Silence and Public Sentiment

Neither ITD nor China Railway Group, the parent company of China Railway No. 10, immediately responded to requests for comment from regional media. ITD issued a statement to the stock exchange on March 31, expressing “deepest condolences to the families of the victims, those who lost their lives, and those who were injured in this tragic event” and committing to support all relevant parties in restoring normalcy. Meanwhile, promotional posts about the project that once adorned China Railway No. 10’s social media accounts were removed shortly after the collapse, a move that has not gone unnoticed by Thai netizens and commentators.

Prominent Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk has called for the Chinese government to take an active role in the investigation, given the involvement of a state-owned enterprise. In a social media post on March 30, he warned that a lack of engagement could deepen public disappointment and trigger a broader backlash against China. “It shouldn’t act like this has nothing to do with the Chinese government at all” he wrote, reflecting a sentiment echoed across online platforms where frustration over the disaster has mingled with unease about foreign influence in Thailand’s development landscape.

Broader Implications for Thai-Chinese Relations

The Bangkok building collapse is more than a tragic accident; it has become a flashpoint for examining the dynamics of Thai-Chinese economic ties. Under General Prayut’s tenure, numerous infrastructure projects were awarded to Chinese firms, often framed as part of strategic partnerships. While these initiatives have bolstered Thailand’s development, they have also sparked concerns about dependency and the potential compromise of local standards. If investigations reveal substandard materials or procedural irregularities in the collapsed building, the fallout could strain bilateral relations and prompt a reevaluation of how foreign investment is managed.

Moreover, the timing of the disaster—coming on the heels of the Uighur deportation controversy—has heightened public sensitivity to China’s role in Thai affairs. Human rights advocates and political analysts have noted that such incidents risk amplifying distrust, particularly if transparency in the investigation is perceived as lacking. For now, speculation about the cause of the collapse remains just that, with authorities yet to release definitive findings on whether the earthquake alone or underlying construction flaws were to blame.

Looking Ahead: Accountability and Recovery

As rescue teams comb through the rubble in Bangkok, the focus remains on saving lives and supporting the families of those affected. Yet, the longer-term questions loom large: will the investigation into the building collapse yield answers that satisfy a grieving and skeptical public? And how will Thailand balance the economic benefits of Chinese investment with the need for rigorous oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future? The answers could shape not only the country’s infrastructure policies but also its geopolitical alignments in a region increasingly defined by competing influences. For now, the site opposite Chatuchak Market stands as a stark reminder of the human cost when ambition and oversight fail to align.

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

By pressing the Subscribe button, you confirm that you have read and you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Advertisement