Bangkok Governor Quells Drama, Affirms Unified Rescue Effort in Building Collapse
BANGKOK – April 19, 2025 — Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed on Saturday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is fully cooperating with all agencies involved in the rescue efforts following the collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak district.
The building, located on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, collapsed on March 28 after a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, caused catastrophic structural failure, trapping over 100 construction workers.
Current Rescue Progress:
- Front section (Zones A & D): Reduced to 12 metres in height.
- Rear section (Zones B & C): Now 10 metres tall.
- Rescue efforts are concentrated in Zones B and C, believed to contain the highest number of trapped victims.
- Six bodies were recently recovered near the emergency staircase and elevator shaft.
- Victims likely located between floors 14 to 18, based on rescue findings.
Casualty Report (as of April 19):
- 47 confirmed dead
- 9 injured
- 47 still missing
- 103 people were in the building during the collapse.
Governor’s Statement:
Governor Chadchart addressed rumors that the BMA obstructed evidence collection, firmly denying the allegations. He admitted that early communication lapses might have led to public confusion but assured that coordination has since improved significantly.
“Multiple agencies are now working effectively together,” Chadchart emphasized.
Voices from the Ground:
Myan Mong, a 43-year-old Myanmar national and survivor, shared a harrowing account of escaping from the 29th floor just moments before the collapse. He remains deeply concerned for seven missing coworkers and noted that his employer, Italian-Thai Development, provided 10,000 baht in emergency aid, with more support pending from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).
