Bangkok: Premchai Karnasuta, the executive of Italian-Thai Development, arrived at Bang Sue Police Station in a wheelchair to surrender in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office building, which was under construction. Engineers involved in the design and supervision of the project have also begun surrendering.
According to Thai News Agency, Premchai Karnasuta, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, was the main bidder for the construction project of the new State Audit Office building. The building collapsed on March 28 due to an earthquake, and Premchai is a suspect under an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court. The charges include failing to adhere to the principles or methods in designing, supervising, constructing, repairing, or demolishing a building, which led to the death of a person. These actions are offenses under Sections 227 and 238 of the Criminal Code.
Premchai, accompanied by a personal nurse, his lawyer, and relatives, surrendered to investigators at Bang Sue Police Station. Thirteen executives from joint venture companies, including engineers, also surrendered to the police around the same time. Pol. Col. Sanong Pinmanee, Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, organized a meeting room on the 4th floor to accommodate the proceedings.