Bangkok Search Operation Officially Ends at Collapsed SAO Building Site
BANGKOK — After six weeks of tireless efforts, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has officially concluded the search-and-rescue operation at the site of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak district. The 30-storey structure came crashing down on March 28 following an earthquake in central Myanmar, trapping over a hundred workers inside.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced the end of the operation on Tuesday during a solemn remembrance ceremony honoring the 109 people who were working inside the building at the time of the collapse. Of those, 89 bodies were recovered, nine were injured, and seven remain missing. Four workers were absent that day and safely returned home.
“Thank you everyone,” Governor Chadchart said, acknowledging the unity and dedication shown by the teams involved. “This operation showed the unity of all Thais. We are ready to help each other. Life goes on.”
Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej confirmed that 296 body parts and bone fragments had been recovered and sent to Police General Hospital for DNA identification to help determine whether they belonged to the missing individuals.
On the operation’s final day, K-9 units made a final sweep of the debris, followed by a merit-making ceremony involving 109 monks — symbolically representing each person present in the building on the day of the disaster.
The collapsed site will be officially handed back to the SAO and relevant agencies on Thursday. Meanwhile, the BMA has advised motorists to avoid the outbound section of Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road near the collapse zone through 6 PM Thursday, as trucks work to remove heavy machinery and clear the area.
The massive operation included coordinated efforts by soldiers, police, volunteers, and various officials — all of whom will now return to their respective units.
The end of the search marks a somber closure to one of Bangkok’s deadliest construction disasters in recent history.
